Bartica Senior Men’s League: Beacons FC thump defending champions Rivers View

The crowd erupted in celebration on Saturday night in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) as Beacons Football Club emerged victorious over defending champions Rivers View Football Club to remain at the top of the Bartica Football Association Senior Men’s League table.
In a thrilling September 9 showdown at the Community Centre, Beacons Football Club delivered a spectacular performance, clinching a 1-0 victory with a late goal by striker Shaquille Hopkinson (81st).
The highly-anticipated match marked the inaugural meeting of the season between the two top clubs. Both teams entered the game with a sense of anticipation and excitement.
It was an impressive display of talent and sportsmanship, as both sides gave their utmost on the field. However, Beacons Football Club’s exceptional defensive prowess consistently foiled the defending champions’ every attempt at scoring.

In a post-game interview, Beacons Football Club Coach Linden Wallerson said his team continues to put in the work in training with an aim to remain undefeated throughout the league.
“We’ve worked hard, we’ve covered all our bases. We will finish this league unbeaten,” shared a jubilant Coach Wallerson.
Bartica Football Association Senior Men’s League kicked off in June and has nine football clubs – including Beacons, Rivers View, Rising Stars, Lazio Agatash United, AK Galaxy, Potaro Strikers, Mil Ballers and Wolves United – competing for the title.
In an earlier match on Saturday night, Potaro Strikers Football Club secured an impressive 5-1 victory over AK Galaxy Football Club.
The Strikers’ dominant performance showcased their skill and determination on the field with Daniel Gardner as the driving force behind the victory, securing a remarkable first-half hat-trick in the 13th, 39th, and 41st minutes.
The team’s relentless attacking continued in the second half, with Shamar Stephen and Derron Baksh adding to the scoreline in the 56th and 70th minutes, respectively. Despite the loss, AK Galaxy Football Club managed to find some consolation as Samuel Mentore netted a goal in the 46th minute.
The League is currently in round two, and according to Bartica Football Association President Alden Marslowe, the community continues to witness a display of incredible skills on the field.
“A lot of families come out to view football,” Marlowe shared. “It gives the senior men an opportunity to be recognised for their talents and abilities. At Bartica the Senior Men’s League is a great inspiration to the younger folks.”
He added: “We were able to get the teams organised, get the League started and it’s running quite smoothly.”
Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde in June presented $12.4 million in cheques to the nine Regional Associations (RAs) through the Members Financial Assistance Programme (M-FAP) in preparation for the highly-anticipated 2023 Senior Men’s League.
Introduced in 2020 with the full approval of the GFF Congress, M-FAP stands as a groundbreaking initiative that provides support to GFF members across four crucial pillars: Administration and Operations, Equipment and Material, Competition and Technical Development, and Infrastructure Development.