Tourney host Fruta Conquerors and Santos reached the semi-finals of the Turbo Energy Drink sponsored Fruta Conquerors U19 Academy League Monday after their matches against Black Pearl and Buxton United respectively ended in a win and a draw.
Needing a draw to ensure their place in the final four, Fruta Conquerors defeated Black Pearl FC 5-2 under soggy conditions at the Tucville Community ground, in what was a must-win encounter for Black Pearl.
Delroy Holligan netted a hat-trick on either side of halftime scoring in the 27th, 51st and 57th minute while Randy Layne fired in a second half double in the 68th and 86th minute.
For the losing team, Danielle Francis and Kevin James were on target in the 17th and 64th minute respectively.
Fruta Conquerors now tops Zone-A standings with 12 points while Black Pearl remains in third position on nine points.
Meanwhile, Santos sealed their place in the semi-final section after battling to a 1-1 result with Buxton United.
Needing only a draw to progress, Santos fell behind in the eighth minute via a goalkeeping error as a Maurice Barnes right foot effort from the top of the box, slipped under the body of the custodian and into the net.
Buxton’s lead was short-lived as Ryan Dowding grabbed the equaliser two minutes later. Latching onto a left side cross inside the right of the box, Dowding duly fired his shot into the lower right corner.
Santos was presented with the perfect opportunity to take the lead in the 73rd minute when they were awarded a penalty kick.
However, Jobe Caesar blasted his powerful right foot shot onto the crossbar much to the disappointment of his teammates.
Santos eventually held on in the dying moments to seal their berth in the elimination round.
Santos ended the Zone-B group stage in the second position on nine points while Buxton ended in third position with eight points.
The semi-finals will take place Friday at the same venue. Zone-A winners Fruta Conquerors will oppose zone-B runners-up Santos while zone-B victors Georgetown Football Club (GFC) will tackle zone-A runners-up Uitvlugt. The grand finale is slated for December 27th.
