The opening night of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Linden Championship was one of upsets, as former champions Dave & Celina’s All-Stars and Amelia’s Ward Russians as well as contender, NK Ballers, incurred unlikely defeats on Wednesday.
The large crowd which descended on the Mackenzie Market Tarmac, witnessed several unlikely results, as Presidential defeated Dave & Celina’s 1-0 compliments of a Runic Velloza conversion in the fifth minute.
Amelia’s Ward Russians was another victim of an expected script, losing by an embarrassing 4-0 scoreline to Quiet Storm. Mark Richards was the architect of the lopsided fixture, as he recorded a hat-trick.
Richards opened his account in the first minute before tallying a ‘Guinness Goal’ – a goal scored in the final three minutes of regulation time counts as two – in the 19th minute. An own goal in the third minute added to the scoreline.
Meanwhile, NK Ballers fell at the hands of Assassa Ballers by a 2-0 score. Devon Scott bagged a Guinness Goal in the 19th minute.
In other results, Barsenal downed Retrieve Unknown 2-1. Carlon Hinds and Keshawn Dey scored in the first and ninth minute respectively. For the loser, Glendon Boodhoo scored in the sixth minute.
Meanwhile, Capital Storm defeated Amazings 2-0. Allan Reece recorded a Guinness Goal in the 18th minute, while Coomacka overcame Haynes Hitters 2-1 on sudden death penalty kicks, after regulation time ended scoreless.
The event continues on May 1st at the same venue. At 19:30hrs, Quiet Storm will oppose Haynes Hitters, with Capital Storm engaging Assassa Ballers at 20:00hrs and NK Ballers battling Amazings from 20:30hrs.
The fourth match will pit Wisroc against Dave & Celina’s All-Stars from 21:00hrs, while Swag Entertainment opposes Presidential at 21:30hrs and Silver Bullets takes aim at High Rollers from 22:00hrs.
The tournament is being contested in an initial round-robin format featuring four groups of four teams. Upon the conclusion of the group stage, the top two finishers will advance to the knockout round.
Group A comprises Assassa Ballers, Amazings, NK Ballers and Capital Storm, with Group B featuring Amelia’s Ward Russians, Quiet Storm, Coomacka-B and Haynes Hitters.
Group C, meanwhile, consists of Silver Bullets, High Rollers, Retrieve Unknown and Barsenal, whilst Swag Entertainment, Dave & Celina’s All-Stars, Presidential and Wisroc make up Group D.
The other playing dates are May 3rd, 10th, 17th, with the grand finale slated for the 24th.
Complete Results
Guinness Goal [GG] – 2 Goals
Game 1
Retrieve Unknowns-1 vs Barsenal-2
Barsenal Scorers
Carlon Hinds – 1st
Keshawn Dey – 9th
Retrieve Scorer
Glendon Boodhoo – 6th
Game 2
Amazings-0 vs Capital Storm-2
Allan Reece-[GG]-18th
Game 3
Coomacka-0 vs Haynes Hitters-0
Coomacka won 2-1 on sudden death penalty kicks
Game 4
Dave & Celina’s All-Stars-0 vs Presidential-1
Runic Velloza – 5th
Game 5
NK Ballers-0 vs Assassa Ballers-2
Devon Scott-[GG]-19th
Game 6
Amelia’s Ward Russians-0 vs Quiet Storm-4
Mark Richards-1st and [GG]-19th
Own Goal – 3rd
