Heavyweight clashes will highlight the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Linden edition semi-final round when titlist Team 25 battles Dave and Celina All-Stars and Swag Entertainment opposes Jermaine and Family Silver Bullets tonight at the Silver City Tarmac.
The opening contest at 21:00hrs is expected to set the tempo of the evening’s proceedings as 2014 winner Silver Bullets take aim at tourney ‘Dark Horse’ Swag Entertainment.
Based on the numbers, the contest is expected to be a clash of contrasting styles, pitting the offensive might of Silver Bullets against the unexpected defensive prowess of Swag Entertainment.
Some 11 goals recorded in three matches at rate of 3.67 per contest illustrate the proficiency of the Silver Bullets attacking quality. High Stars suffered a 6-1 mauling and 2011 and 2013 champion Eagles was riddled 4-0.
High Rollers battled to a 1-1 score line at the end of normal and extra time before going down 1-2 on penalty kicks. Damian Williams and Jermaine Samuels led the way with four goals each while Jermaine Lewis and Triston Ally have netted two and one goal respectively.
For Swag Entertainment, a solid defensive structure has aided a capable strike-force in their hunt for silverware. To date, they have only conceded once via a 1-1 result with Cherokee Park which was eventually decided 2-0 on penalty kicks.
On the other hand, a 1-0 win over Magic Stars alongside a 3-0 victory over Good-Fellas indicate their ability not only to secure clean sheets but find the back of the net.
Colwyn Drakes is their leading marksman with three goals followed by Shane Luckie, who has scored twice. Unlike the contrasting matchup of the aforesaid fixture, the feature contest at 22:00hrs is a showdown of similarly themed opponents.
In terms of the numbers, both sides are almost identical on either side of the ball. Defending champion Team 25 are the marginally superior offensive threat, netting eight goals at 2.67 per contest.
This is evident by a 3-1 win over South Stars, a 1-0 victory against Coomacka and a 4-1 hammering of 2012 and 2015 winner Amelia Ward Russians. Tevin Crawford, Teon Stewart and Ryan Noel have scored two goals apiece, while Rudy Halley and Ruel Williams have recorded one conversion each.
For Dave and Celina All-Stars, seven goals has been registered at an average of 2.33 per fixture. Although their campaign started slowly with a 1-1 showing against Ripping Bullets that required penalty kicks to decide the outcome, 3-0 victories over Amazings and Young Kings respectively showcased their improving quality.
Veterans Keon Sears and Rawle Gittens have scored twice aided by solitary conversions from the likes of Kenard Simon, Cordell Johnson and Sean Brewley.
Prior to the start of the semi-final stage, several exhibition matches are expected to be contested. Winner of the event will pocket $400,000 and the championship trophy. They will also earn the right to represent the zone at the National Championship.
Meanwhile, the runners-up will collect $150,000 and the corresponding accolade. The third and fourth place finishers will walk away with $75,000 and $50,000 apiece and the respective trophy.
