A new champion in the Linden edition of the Guinness Greatest of the Streets tourney will be crowned as holders Eagles were booted on opening night, losing to Attackers via penalty kicks at the Mackenzie Market Tarmac on Wednesday.
Locked at 1-1 at the end of the normal time interval, Attackers would dump the holders unceremoniously out of the championship as they won by a 2-0 score line on penalty kicks. Avoiding the fate of Eagles were former winners Silver Bullets who shot down High Star 4-1.
Colwyn Drakes hit the target four times in the sixth, ninth, 14th and 17th minutes while Jermaine Adams scored in the 18th minute for the loser. Similarly last year’s losing finalist Retrieve Unknown edged Ripping Bullets 1-0 through a Stephon Tappin ninth-minute strike.
Also in the winner’s row was Coomacka who crushed Exodus 4-0 compliments of a Rondel Edmonson helmet trick in the fourth, eighth, 13th and 17th minutes and Half Mile/One Mile who dispatched Goal-Getters 4-1.
Rawle Gittens led the winners with a first half double in the fifth and eighth minutes while Steve Brewley and Shawn Gittens netted in the 14th and 18th minutes respectively. On target in the loss was Quincy Black.
In the final matchup of the night, Amelia’s Ward Russians downed South Stars by a 1-0 score line compliments of a seventh-minute conversion from veteran baller Travis Whatterton. Action in the tourney is slated to continue today at the same venue.
In the opening fixture, Cherokee Park will face off with Classic-6 from 18:00hrs while Aliku will oppose Minibus from 18:30hrs in the second matchup. The third encounter will pit Porkerburg against Blueberry Hill from 19:00hrs while Buck Hill will tackle Panthers from 19:30hrs.
In the fifth showdown, Street Vibz will oppose Starboyz from 20:00hrs while Constab will lock horns in the sixth fixture with the Amazing’s from 20:30hrs. The final two matches will pit Rough and Rugged against Speightland from 21:00hrs and Trainline Warriors against Hard Knocks from 21:30hrs
Winners of either event will receive $300,000 and the championship trophy while the second place side will collect $150,000 and the runners-up accolade. The third and fourth place finishers will collect $100,000 and $75,000 respectively.
The resulting finalists will also earn the right to represent the zone at the impending national championship.
