Grove Hi-Tech and Silver Shattas secured unlikely wins over Santos and Georgetown Football Club (GFC) respectively, when the Petra Organization coordinated ‘Turbo Energy Drink Knockout Football Championship’ continued on Tuesday.
The small crowd which witnessed the matches at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue, was treated to a goal scoring feat, as a total of 15 goals were recorded.
Grove Hi-Tech, a team emanating from the East Bank Demerara district, crafted another major upset in the event, eliminating traditional giant 5-3 in physical and emotional affair.
Joel Dick and Lloyd Matthews handed Grove Hi-Tech the perfect start, tallying three goals in the opening 12 minutes. Dick found the back of the net in the seventh and 11 minute, while Matthews found the back of the net in the ninth minute.
Santos eventually reduced the deficit in the 21st minute, as Orin Yarde etched his name on the scorer’s sheet.
However the Georgetown unit suffered an unwanted setback, with William Europe receiving a red card in the 29th minute for striking an opposing player.
Despite the numerical handicap, Santos further reduced Grove Hi-Tech’s lead two minutes onward through Keith Caines. Yet, Domini Garnett restored Grove Hi-Tech’s advantage via a 40th minute conversion.
The second stanza witnessed Santos committing players in the final third in search of the goals to level proceedings. They were eventually rewarded in the 74th minute, as Captain Lionel Holder scored.
Nevertheless, Garnett applied the final nail in the Santos coffin, tallying his second of the night with a 90th minute strike. Meanwhile, Silver Shattas riddled GFC by a 5-2 score line.
A second half offensive blitz secured the victory for the Linden unit, who overcame a 2-1 deficit compliments of four unanswered goals.
The combination of Dexter Garraway and Damion Williams were responsible for the second half blitz, recording respective doubles in the process.
Garraway netted in the 58th and 67th minute, while Damion Williams scored in the 78th and 85th minute to secure their berth to the quarterfinal round.
Prior to the come from behind win, GFC took a commanding 2-0 lead via goals from Jermaine Padmore and Curtez Kellman in the eighth and 27th minute. Silver Shattas pulled one back in the 43rd minute, as Robin Adams scored.
The event will continue today at the same venue with another two matches in the round of 16 section. At 18:30hrs, Uitvlugt will oppose Kuru-Kuru, while Riddim Squad tackles Pouderoyen at 21:00hrs.
Presently, Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Pele FC have sealed their berths to the quarterfinal stage, following wins over Eagles and Northern Rangers respectively.
The eventual winner will receive $500,000 and the championship trophy while the runners-up will pocket $250,000 and the corresponding accolade.
On the other hand, the third and fourth place finishers will collect $125,000 and $75,000 apiece and the respective trophy.
