Defending champion Sparta Boss sent Albouystown-A packing from the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Georgetown Zone, securing a tense 3-2 result via the sudden death penalty route on Tuesday.
Although reminiscent of the Sparta Boss and Albouystown-B encounter two years prior, the contest was anything but a classic at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac. Both teams resorted to physical tactics which led to the fixture meandering towards its eventual conclusion.
Sparta Boss were first from the halfway mark and scored in the form of Roberto Osbourne who rolled the ball confidently down the centre of the net.
Albouystown-A failed to match the holder’s result in their first attempt as Andrew Murray Jr. struck the woodwork, much to the disappointment of the enormous crowd that began to encroach on the playing area.
However, the East La Penitence-based unit failed to capitalize on their foe’s failure as Eusi Phillips missed from the distance to start the second round of penalty kicks. Albouystown-A levelled proceedings in their second shot, with Shaka Jones converting to the left side.
The aforesaid goal seemed to rattle the champs as Cleon Forrester missed from the spot in the third round, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Needing only a conversion to seal the win for the Albouystown unit, Renault Fraser crumbled under the pressure of expectation, firing his effort wide of the left corner to send the fixture into the sudden death realm.
Sheldon Shepherd capitalized on Fraser’s botched attempt as he netted emphatically despite the taunts from the surrounding viewership, who, at this time, had created a tunnel from the halfway mark to the actual goal.
Needing to score to keep their hopes alive of progression to the next round, Albouystown-A sealed their own fate as Devon Dooker blasted his effort wide of the right corner.
Meanwhile, the fairytale story continued for Camp Street All-Stars as they defeated 2010 winners Broad Street 3-2 on sudden death kicks, after normal time ended 0-0.
The 2013 victors Queen Street Tiger Bay sealed their place in the quarterfinal round, edging 2015 finalist Channel-9 Warriors by a 1-0 margin.
James Meredith found the back of the net in the 20th minute, after his header over the advancing final defender struck the crossbar and fell fortuitously into his onrushing path for a simple finish into the empty net.
Similarly, an accidental goal was also the difference in the North East La Penitence and Festival City Warriors contest as, the former prevailed 1-0.
Calvin Moore was the recipient of the lucky moment in the 21st minute as, an attempted clearance by the final defender, struck his leg and rolled into the left corner.
Bent Street recorded their first win of the event, defeating 2014 losing finalist Stevedore 2-0 on penalty kicks. At the end of normal time the fixture was evenly poised at 1-1.
Keifer Brandt gave Stevedore the lead in the 10th minute, slotting home from the right side after collecting a left side pass from Dorwin Filter. However, Daniel Wilson equalized seven minutes onward with a powerful right foot attempt from the right side, which settled into the top left hand corner of the net.
In other results, 2012 winners Leopold Street eliminated Up Like-7 by a 2-1 margin. Omallo Williams scored twice in the fourth and 15th minute. On target in the loss was Dwayne Lowe in the 20th minute.
Also, Tucville edged 2014 champ North Ruimveldt 2-0 on penalty kicks after normal time ended 0-0 while West Back Road squeaked past 2011 titlist Back Circle 3-1 on penalty uimveldt 2-0 on penalty kicks after normal time ended 0-0 while West Back Road squeaked past 2011 titlist Back Circle 3-1 on penalty kicks, following a scoreless regulation time.
The final group stage round will commence tonight (Thursday) at the D’Aguiars Park. In the opening fixture, Bent Street will oppose Camp Street All Stars from 19:00hrs while North East La Penitence tackles Up Like-7 from 19:30hrs.
At 20:00hrs, Stevedore battles Broad Street Bullies while Tucville will engage West Back Road from 20:30hrs. The fifth fixture at 21:00hrs will pit Albouystown-A against Channel-9 Warriors and Festival City will lock horns with Leopold Street from 21:30hrs.
In the final two matches, North Ruimveldt will match skills with Back Circle from 22:00hrs while Sparta Boss will engage Queen Street Tiger Bay from 22:30hrs. Upon the conclusion of the group stage, the top two finishers in each pool will advance to the quarterfinal section.
