Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Linden Championship
YMCA, Silver Bullets, Turf President, and DC Ballers secured their berths to the round of 16 segment in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Linden Championship on Friday evening at the Silver City Hard-court.
YMCA sent a strong warning to the remaining competitors following an 8-0 demolition of the Assassa Ballers. Kevin Gittens led the rout with a helmet trick. He bagged a second-half brace in the 15th and 16th minutes before tallying a ‘Guinness Goal’ (GG) [a goal scored in the final three minutes of the match counts as two] in the 18th minute.
Supporting with a double in the first half was Jamal Bentick in the fifth and seventh minutes, with Kymani Prince recording a GG in the 19th minute.
Similarly, the former champion Silver Bullets blew away Aroaima 6-0. Experienced forward Colwyn Drakes amassed a hat-trick with a 14th-minute strike and a GG in the 19th minute. Clifton Halley supported with a double in the 13th and 15th minutes, while Felix Innis registered a 16th-minute conversion.
Turf President bested the BB Ballers 2-0 via goals from Kelroy Anthony and Malachi Todd in the 12th and 15th minutes, respectively. Meanwhile, the DC Ballers edged One Syde 2-1 on penalty kicks after regulation time ended scoreless.
In other results, Valley Side squeaked past the High Rollers 2-1. The combination of Mark Richards and Alton Duke netted in the fifth and 17th minutes, respectively. For the loser, Omar Brewley scored in the 14th minute.
Also, Top Striker crushed Double Six 4-0. Shelton Whittaker was the primary threat for the eventual victor with a hat-trick, highlighted by an eighth-minute conversion and a GG in the 19th minute. Rodwick Hamilton opened the scoring in the third minute.
The Pro Ballers edged Speightland 5-4 on sudden death penalty kicks, following a 0-0 score at the end of normal time.
The winner of the event will pocket $500,000 and the championship trophy, while the second-place finisher will receive $400,000 and the corresponding accolade. The third and fourth-place finishers will pocket $300,000 and $250,000, respectively, and the corresponding trophy.
The event will resume on Wednesday at the same venue with another round of elimination matches.
Complete Results
Guinness Goal-(GG)-2 Goals
Game-1
High Rollers-1 vs. Valley Side 2
Valley Side scorers
Mark Richards-5th
Alton Duke-17th
High Rollers scorer
Omar Brewley-14th
Game-2
Aroaima-0 vs. Silver Bullets-6
Colwyn Drakes-14th, and (GG)-19th
Clifton Halley-13th and 15th
Felix Innis-16th
Game-3
Double Six-0 vs. Top Striker-4
Shelton Whittaker-8th and GG-19th
Rodwick Hamilton-3rd
Game-4
One Syde-0 vs. DC Ballers-0
DC Ballers won 2-1 on penalty kicks
Game-5
Turf President-2 vs. BB Ballers-0
Kelroy Anthony-12th
Malachi Todd-15th
Game-6
YMCA-8 vs. Assassa Ballers-0
Kevin Gittens-15th, 16th, and GG-18th
Kymani Prince-GG-19th
Jamal Bentick-5th and 7th
Game-7
Pro Ballers-0 vs. Speightland-0
Pro Ballers won 5-4 on sudden death penalty kicks
