Paradise and Friendship secured semi-final berths in the 592 Beer Inter-Village Football Festival on Christmas Day, defeating Buxton and Mahaica via penalty kicks at the Buxton Community Centre ground.
Paradise overcame the home side Buxton 4-3 on penalty kicks, following a 2-2 score at the end of regulation time. The hosts started the penalty shoot-out in the worst possible manner, as the opposing custodian fashioned a save.
The visitors seized the opportunity, scoring from their first attempt to take the 1-0 lead. The second period failed to separate the sides as both teams scored to make it 2-1. Both teams converted once more in the third round to push the score to 3-2.
The fourth round then mirrored the previous two as the scoreline ballooned to 4-3. However, Buxton sealed their own fate, as their final attempt was thumped high over the crossbar, sealing Paradise’s place in the final four section.
Prior to their exit, Buxton fashioned two goals in the first half to secure a 2-0 lead. Derrick Weekes opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a placed shot into the lower right corner from inside the penalty area. The second conversion came in the space of seven minutes as Esan Hamer uncorked a first time effort into the right side from inside the left of the penalty box.
However it was a game of two halves as Paradise secured two unanswered goals to level proceedings. Teshawn Gordon reduced the deficit in the 70th minute, racing down the right flank, before entering the penalty area and blasting his effort into the roof of the net.
The equaliser was then fashioned in the 88th minute, as captain Quincy Adams made his presence felt, uncorking a flat strike from inside the left of the box, which settled into the lower right corner.
Meanwhile, Friendship bested Mahaica 5-4 on sudden death penalty kicks, after regulation time ended 3-3. For Friendship, Dillon Wright copped a double in the 10th and 27th minute while Clive Andries added a goal in the 62nd minute.
For Mahaica, Travis Adams fashioned a brace in the 15th and 41st minute, while Shamar McPherson tallied an 80th minute strike. The aforementioned winners will now face off in the semi-final round on December 29th at the same venue. The second semi-final will pit Golden Grove against Beterverwagting [BV].
Tournament coordinator Eon Havercome during a post-match comment said, “The quarterfinal section has certainly exceeded expectations. All four matches were decided by the lottery known as penalty kicks which highlights the competitive nature of the tournament, which is very rare in local football. The fans were once again treated to a drama filled night and were on the edge of their seats throughout the evening. We now head into the semi-final round which will certainly not disappoint given the standard of the previous rounds. Once again I would like to commend the players and fans for their unwavering support in making the tournament a success. This tournament has the potential to be the main staple of the East Coast Demerara region in the foreseeable future.”
The eventual champion of the event will pocket $500,000 and the championship trophy. The second, third and fourth place finishers will receive $200,000, $150,000 and $100,000 respectively and the corresponding trophy.
Similarly, individual prizes will also be awarded for the Most Valuable Player [MVP] of the tournament, the MVP of the finale, the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament and the Best Goalkeeper of the final. Some of the major sponsors of the tournament include Bakewell Guyana Incorporated, ExxonMobil, the NSC, Flavours Boss and the Colin Talbot Construction Services.
Complete Results
Game-1
Friendship-3 vs Mahaica-3
Friendship won 5-4 on sudden death penalty kicks
Friendship Scorers
Dillon Wright-10th and 27th
Clive Andries-62nd
Mahaica Scorers
Travis Adams-15th and 41st
Shamar McPherson-80th
Game-2
Paradise-2 vs Buxton-2
Paradise won 4-3 on penalty kicks
Paradise Scorers
Teshawn Gordon-70th
Quincy Adams-88th
Buxton Scorers
Derrick Weekes-6th
Esan Hamer-13th
