Central Mackenzie and Christianburg will compete in the Region #10 final of the One Guyana President Guyana this evening, following contrasting semi-final wins on Sunday evening at the Wisburg ground.
Central Mackenzie defeated tournament favourite Blueberry Hill 5-3 on penalty kicks, after regulation time ended 2-2. The first round failed to separate the teams, as both units converted from the distance at 1-1.
Nevertheless, it would be the second round which eventually decided the contest. Central Mackenzie, who was given the task to start the penalty shoot-out, scored to make it 2-1.
However, Janeve Waldron, who was a scorer during the first half of normal time, was unfortunately the villain, as he blasted his effort onto a woodwork, much to the dismay of his teammates.
The score progressed to 3-2 in the third stanza, as both teams scored. The fourth stanza mirrored the previous round, as clinical strikes from either side pushed the score to 4-3.
Central Mackenzie then sealed the outcome, as they converted at the start of the fifth round, completing a perfect record from the distance.
Before the eventual conclusion, Central Mackenzie secured the initial lead, as Tyriq McAllister broke the deadlock in the 11th minute. The conversion emanated following a one-two passing combination outside the penalty box, as the recipient McAllister uncorked a powerful right footed strike which nestled into the far corner.
Central Mackenzie’s lead would last until the 36th minute, as Waldron restored parity to proceedings under fortuitous circumstances. A ball into the penalty area triggered a goal mouth scrimmage, as Central Mackenzie failed to clear the danger, allowing Waldron to latch onto the loose ball and blast into the back of the net.
Another defensive failure in the 18 yard area resulted in Blueberry Hill seizing a 2-1 advantage in the 40th minute compliments of a Shane Luckie conversion. Once again Central Mackenzie failed to clear the danger which resulted in another goalmouth scramble, as the lanky Luckie stabbed home to push his side ahead.
The score would remain unchanged heading into the halftime interval. However, another failure by the rear-guard in the dying moments of the second stanza, this time by the Blueberry Hill backline, resulted in Central Mackenzie levelling the contest in the 86th minute in the form of Andre Mayers.
A poor header following a cross into the 18 yard area by the defender, looped into the path of Mayers standing inside the six yard box, who instinctively directed his headed attempt into the back of the net, stunning the small gathering.
Meanwhile, Christianburg overcame Aroaima by a 3-1 score. Akeal McLennon recorded the only conversion of the first half in the 22nd minute, before conversions from Deon Charter and Omar Brewley in the 66th and 90th+2 minute respectively completed the result.
For the loser, Kenny Benjamin briefly reduced the deficit, as he made his presence felt with a strike in the 77th minute. The losing teams will compete in the third place playoff.
Complete Results
Game-1
Aroaima-1 vs
Christianburg-3
Christianburg scorers
Akeal McLennon-22nd
Deon Charter-66th
Omar Brewley-90th+2
Aroaima scorer
Kenny Benjamin-77th
Game-2
Central Mackenzie-2 vs
Blueberry Hill-2
Central won 5-4 on
penalty kicks
Central scorers
Tyriq McAllister-11th
Andre Mayers-86th
Blueberry Hill scorers
Janeve Waldron-36th
Shane Luckie-40th
