A clash of unbeaten sides will highlight match day four in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Stag Beer Elite League when Berbice outfit Monedderlust opposes Georgetown giant Fruta Conquerors today from 20:00hrs at the Tucville Community ground.
While this will be the first ever league matchup between the teams, the most recent competitive meeting in 2013 resulted in a penalty shoot-out win for Monedderlust.
Under the guidance of veteran coach Gordon Brathwaite, the Berbicians will enter the contest in high spirits following their 3-2 come-from-behind victory against the Guyana Defence Force on match day two.
Travis Henry, Kevin Layne Jr. and Kevin Cottoi leads a physical contingent that will be focused on maintaining their recent advantage over the hosts as they aim to secure their second win in as many matches.
On the other hand, while the win did come at a cost following the unfortunate injury to forward Travis Thornhill, Fruta Conquerors will be buoyed by their hard-fought 1-0 win over East Coast of Demerara giant Buxton United.
Heroes of their previous encounter, goal scorer Eon Alleyne and provider Jermin Junior alongside the defensive combination of Trevon Lythcott, Rafael Edwards, Delon Williams, Keith Fletcher and Dwayne Lindy must maintain their current standards if they are to emerge with a positive result.
In an invited comment Monedderlust head-coach Brathwaite declared:”I expect it to be an actual football game and I don’t expect dirty play. I expect a competitive game and due to the nature of how the teams play it will be an exciting game”.
Coach of Fruta Conquerors Calvin Allen said:”As usual we expect to come out with the three points because our preparation has been going fine. The first game we didn’t play to our full potential but we expect that in the early stages of any tournament”.
He added:”We had our own little revision of the last game and I we are better prepared for the challenge that Monedderlust will bring. We know they are a physical and robust bunch who are also quick but we have done our homework and we are prepared and looking forward to the challenge. At the end of the day, we are looking for the win”.
In the opening matchup at 18:00hrs, cellar occupants Buxton United will lock horns with GDF in what promises to be a bruising affair.
Gutted by their last minute defeat in their opening fixture, the Buxton side, led by the duo of Denver Dennis and Clive Andries, will hope to make amends when play commences as they aim to acquire their first points of the championship.
Similarly, a second half implosion caused the always formidable army unit their chance at a perfect start following a 2-0 lead. They will not look to their experienced trident of Delwyn Fraser, Eusi Phillips and Delroy Fraser to fire them to victory when opening whistle sounds.
In an invited comment Buxton United coach Herbert McPherson said:”We expect a rough game, a fast game. GDF is very strong in the attack but I find they got have a weakness at the back which we will be looking to exploit.
“In a football match, the first 15 minutes and the last 15 minutes are very important. We were looking to come away with at least a point in the last game and we gave it up. We have to improve on our performance especially on the goal scoring. You can stop teams from scoring but in order to win matches we have to score goals,” he added.
Winner of the round will pocket $4,000,000 while the second, third and fourth place teams will collect $2,000,000, $1,000,000 and $500,000 respectively. Similarly, the point’s leader prior to the knockout stage in the League Genesis round will pocket an additional $1,000,000.
Current Points Standings
GP W L D GF GA GD Pts
Pele 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3
Monedderlust 1 1 0 0 3 2 +1 3
Fruta Conquerors 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3
Alpha United 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
Slingerz 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
Buxton United 1 0 1 0 0 1 -1 0
GFC 1 0 1 0 1 2 -1 0
Guyana Defence
Force 1 0 1 0 2 3 -1 0
