In the always physical North Ruimveldt derby, North Ruimveldt downed Festival City by a 4-2 margin when the Ministry of Health/Petra Organization Soft Shoe Championship continued on Wednesday.
With the crowds continuing to grow at the Santos Training Area on the Square of the Revolution, Anthony Sancho gave North Ruimveldt the lead in the ninth minute with a first time finish into the right corner after collecting a left-side pass.
Eon Alleyne equalised for Festival City, chesting the ball into the back of the net from the centre of the area, after collecting a right-side cross from Dwayne Lawrence.
However North Ruimveldt took a 2-1 lead into the half time interval as Gerald Gittens scored, directing his header from the left side into the right corner, after rising high to meet a cross from the right side.
The score then ballooned to 3-1 in the 16th minute of the second period as a tame left-side strike from Joshua Browne rolled into the right corner, after the goalkeeper slipped in his area.
Never ones to go down without a fight, Alleyne reduced the deficit to one in the 19th minute, touching the ball away from the onrushing goalkeeper before finishing into the empty net.
Nevertheless, the outcome in the 30-minute affair was sealed in the dying seconds as a powerful right-foot shot from Gittens in the centre of the field, was parried into the right corner by the diving custodian.
Similarly, Cross Street downed Globe Yard 1-0. Shalomo Hunter gave Cross Street the initial lead in the third minute with a left-side strike into the left corner.
However, Globe Yard equalised in the form of Andrew Murray in the 17th compliments of a right-foot penalty conversion down the centre of the net.
Rolex Smith then sealed the win for Globe Yard in the 28th minute, lashing a right-side strike into the left corner.
In other results, West Back Road defeated Channel-9 Warriors 2-1. Jamal Haynes recorded a brace in the 17th and 27th minutes while Kemo Lawrence scored for the loser in the sixth minute.
Meanwhile, Laing Avenue and Campbellville battled to a 4-4 draw. Roy Cassou recorded a brace for Laing Avenue while David George and Orlando Ricketts scored once. For Campbellville, Okeri Codrington scored twice while Kenneth Jackson and Ozeal Small netted solitary conversions.
Similarly, Tucville and North East La Penitence played to a 1-1 result. Calvin Moore scored for North East La Penitence in the third minute while Dennis Edwards equalised in the 11th minute. Also, Holmes Street won via walkover against California Square.
Action is slated to continue at the same venue with the final group fixtures. In the opening fixture at 19:00hrs, Broad Street will tackle the Ministry of Health while Albouystown will oppose Young Ballers from 19:45hrs.
In the third fixture at 20:30hrs, West Front Road will face-off with Queen Street Tiger Bay while Bent Street will match skills with Kitty Weavers from 21:15hrs.
The fifth fixture at 21:45hrs will witness Alexander Village facing off with Leopold Street while defending champ Sparta Boss will match skills with Sophia from 22:30hrs.
The championship which is slated to conclude on June 18th, will feature 24 community based teams competing in an initial group stage format.
Upon the conclusion of the group stage, the top two finishers from each group along with the four best third place finishers will advance to the knockout round.
Winner of the event will collect $300,000 and the Championship trophy while the second placed side will receive $200,000 and the runners-up accolade.
On the other hand, the third placed side will receive $100,000 and the respective trophy while the fourth place finishers will pocket $50,000 and the corresponding title.
On the individual side, prizes will be awarded to the event’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Highest Goal Scorer. Other sponsors of the event include the Ministry of Public Health, GTT, Lucky Dollar, Nigel Supermarket, Junior’s Jewellery, Star Party Rentals and 2-J’s General Store.
