West Demerara’s Uitvlugt Warriors sealed their quarterfinal berth in the Hamilton Green Cup knockout football tournament after edging Santos 2-1 yesterday at the Den Amstel ground, West Demerara.
The contest, which was viewed by a sizable crowd, came to life in the second period as goals from Jamal Harvey and Chris Macey in the 52nd and 68th minute respectively, settled the outcome.
For Santos, Rondell Gardner ensured a tense finish compliments of a 78th minute strike. With the win, Uitvlugt will now oppose the winner of the Georgetown Football Club and Silver Shattas matchup on Sunday October 15th.
Following a sedate showing from both teams in first half, Harvey gave the partisan crowd reason to celebrate, directing his header into the right corner, after rising high to make contact with a left side cross from Daniel Floy, inside the centre of the box.
Trevor Lewis almost equalised for Santos in the 62nd minute but his curling strike from outside the right of the box was tipped desperately over the crossbar by the custodian.
However, Macey made his presence felt six minutes later doubling the lead with a brilliant strike, as he curled a left foot free-kick from the right flank, which sailed over the goalkeeper’s head and settled into left corner.
The score almost increased once more in the 71st minute with Harvey unleashing a powerful right foot effort from 26 yards out in the center of the field which was tipped away by the diving custodian to his left.
On the other side, Orin Yarde was denied by the crossbar from reducing the deficit as his right foot strike, following a one-on-one situation with the advancing goalkeeper, crashed onto the woodwork in the 75th minute.
Santos eventually pulled one back three minutes later with Gardner curling a right foot free-kick from 28 yards outside the centre of the field, into the top left corner, giving the custodian no chance.
Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) gained a walkover from Riddim Squad. Action in the tournament will resume Saturday at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground in Linden with a triple-header.
Bourda unit GFC will tackle Silver Shattas at 17:00hrs, while Milerock will faceoff with Western Tigers from 19:00hrs.
In the feature contest, Winners Connection will engage fellow Linden unit Eagles United at 21:00hrs. The quarterfinal round commences on Sunday October 8th at the Victoria Community ground.
Winner of the tournament will receive $500,000 and the Minister of Citizenship Trophy while the runners-up will pocket $250,000 and the Busta Trophy, and the third place finisher will collect $150,000 and the John Fernandes accolade.
The fourth place finisher will walk away with $100,000 and the Cummings Electrical Trophy
Complete Results
Game-1
GPF vs Riddim Squad
GPF won via walkover
Game-2
Uitvlugt-2 vs Santos-1
Uitvlugt Scorers
Jamal Harvey-52nd
Chris Macey-68th
Santos Scorer
Rondell Gardner-78th
