On an evening which featured four drawn encounters, Back Circle, Broad Street Bullies and Upsetters clinched contrasting wins when the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Georgetown Championship continued on Tuesday.
Viewed by the largest crowd to date at the National Cultural Centre tarmac on Mandela Avenue, former winner Back Circle overcame national champs Sparta Boss by a 2-1 score line to seal their place in the knockout stages.
The eagerly anticipated showdown started with Sparta Boss snatching the lead in the second minute as Sheldon Shepherd bundled the ball over the goal, after an attempted clearance by the final defender fell into his onrushing path.
Nevertheless, their lead was short-lived as Andy Duke equalized in the fifth minute, dribbling the final defender following a one-on-one situation before slotting down the centre of the goal, sending the partisan crowd into a frenzy.
The go-ahead goal was then found on the stroke of half time in the 10th minute as a left-sided Jermaine Beckles strike took a slight deflection off the back-pedalling final defender and settled into the right- hand corner, continuing the celebrations for their `fandom’.
However Sparta Boss was presented with a great chance to level proceedings in the 17th minute as a left-sided pass found Dennis Edwards unmarked at the right post, only for the forward to direct his effort wide of the goal.
On the other hand, Broad Street downed Gold Star by a 2-0 margin. Devon Adams opened the scoring in the seventh minute, slotting home into the right corner after collecting a right-sided pass on the left side of the penalty arc.
Ryan Jones then sealed the win in the 13th minute, turning and finishing his strike into the right-hand corner from the left side of the field. Also, Upsetters edged South Sophia 2-1 in the night’s opening fixture, punching their ticket to the elimination round in the process.
Orlando Ricketts opened the scoring for the eventual winners with a fifth-minute conversion into the centre of the net. Their lead was quickly doubled two minutes onward compliments of a fortuitous own goal. South Sophia eventually pulled one back in the 16th minute as Ryan O’Selmo scored with a finish into the right corner following a left-sided pass.
In other results, Jamoon Drive sealed their berth to the next round after playing to a scoreless draw with former holders Queen Street Tigerbay. Similarly, Shopping Plaza earned a place in the knockout round following a 0-0 result with Festival City Street Fighters.
Similarly, Bent Street clinched their path to the knockout round after playing to a scoreless draw with South Ruimveldt whilst inaugural winner, Holmes Street Tigerbay and Stevedore Housing Scheme played to a scoreless result.
Meanwhile, Young Ballers defeated Island All-Stars via walkover. Action in the event is slated to continue on Saturday at the Demerara Park Tarmac with the final round of group fixtures.
Winner of the event will pocket $500,000, the championship trophy and the right to represent the zone at the national tourney while the second, third and fourth-placed units will collect $200,000. $150,000 and $100,000 respectively and the corresponding accolade.
