East Bank Demerara sealed their semi-final place in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Academy Training Centre (ATC) U13 Challenge Series, defeating West Demerara 1-0 Saturday at the National Training Centre, Providence.
Needing only a draw to clinch their berth in the semi-final section, Seon Grant’s first half conversion ensured the home side maintained their unbeaten campaign heading into the knockout round.
It was a commendable defensive effort from the visitors whose game plan was tailored to counterattacking. However, a defensive lapse led to the conversion, as Grant made his presence felt with a clinical strike.
Latching onto a loose ball inside the penalty box following a poorly attempted headed clearance by the defender, Grant, a native of Agricola, blasted his right footed effort into the back of the net.
Coach of the East Bank unit Levi Braithwaite during a post-match comment said, “For it was a good game, fortunately we won. We had many opportunities but we didn’t score because the other was sitting back and playing in a low defensive block. They came out defensive against us. Their attack didn’t challenge us as much and didn’t get chances at our goalkeeper.”
He added, “I am very confident going forward and can rely on that. We are a team that is not here just to participate but win it all. We will jump every hurdle one at a time.”
With the result, East Bank Demerara topped group-A with 10 points following a record of three wins and a draw. The Levi Braithwaite marshalled outfit also defeated Essequibo 3-0 and Bartica 2-1, with their lone draw coming against Rupununi via a 1-1 score-line.
On the other hand, West Demerara ended their campaign on four points with a record of one win, one draw and two losses.
