GFF/DBU/UEFA Assist Women Development League: Santos storm back from a goal and 2 players down to beat Bartica All-Stars
Contesting the feature game of a double header in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Women Development League, sponsored by the Danish Football Union (DBU) and UEFA Assist, on Saturday last at the Bartica Community Centre Ground, city side Santos showed some determination and grit when they upstaged home team Bartica All-Stars 2-1 after finding themselves playing with nine players from the 35th minute.
Fruta Conquerors’ Nikasi St Jules (#6) powered her way past these Potaro Strikers to score her side’s final goal in their 10-1 win on Saturday
In testing conditions, and having to deal with the boisterous fans, Bartica All-Stars took the lead on the half-hour when they were awarded a penalty. The shot was originally blocked by Santos’ goalkeeper, but the alert Ohara Oselmo pounced on the rebound to slot the ball home.
The reaction of some of the Santos players did not go down well with the referee as they were not in favour of the kick from the penalty mark and the subsequent jostling with the goalie and Oselmo. This resulted in the referee having to issue a straight red card to Santos’ Afena Baptiste for violent conduct.
Baptiste’s exit brought initial pressure on the team and if that was not enough, five minutes later, another Santos player, Akeelah Vancooten, arguably their best player, was given her marching orders.
Santos and the Bartica All-Star players in battle on Saturday at the Bartica Community Centre Ground
However, despite being on the back foot for the remainder of the half, Santos were able to weather the storm. They came out with renewed vigour in the second half, and while they were two players less, it was the Bartica All-Stars who lacked the energy to stave off the resurgent city ladies.
Fresh players were introduced by the Santos Technical staff, and it brought the desired results. Otalia Thompson knotted the score in the 51st minute at the end of one of many early runs into the home team’s final third.
Capitalising on that momentum a mere three minutes later, the Santos side took the lead for the first time in the match when Rayanna Harris rocked the back of Bartica’s net with a well-taken shot.
The lead was never relinquished even as the Bartica All-Stars tried their utmost to salvage another goal in the final moments of the match. At the final whistle, it was sheer delight for the Santos girls and as they left the ground to join the speedboat back to the city, they were still rejoicing.
In the first match, it was another easy triumph for Fruta Conquerors who trounced Potaro Strikers 10-1. For the conquering Conquerors, Sandra Johnson led with a hat-trick (13th, 59th, 60th); there was a brace each for Jessica Teasdale (11th, 41st) and Nikisa Wayne (12th, 58th).
One goal each was recorded by Shennel Daniels (10th), Shanic Thornhill (24th) and Nikasi St Jules in the 82nd minute. Potaro Strikers got their consolation goal from Jonell Pollard in the 46th minute.
Also on Saturday, up at the St Cuthbert’s Mission Ground, home team Pakuri Jaguars romped to their first win of the League with a 7-0 triumph over the visiting Essequibo All-Stars.
Over at the GFF National Training Centre, Providence, East Bank Demerara, the Guyana Defence Force (4-0) got past Orealla Falcons who fought well against the more experienced GDF team. The consistent Abiose Heywood netted a hat-trick, with the other goal coming off the boot of Anastasia Horsham.
In the other match at the NTC, New Amsterdam United and Coomacka United of Linden battled to an exciting 1-1 stalemate. Sasha Loo broke the deadlock for New Amsterdam United in the 18th minute, but their joy was curtailed one minute later when Coomacka United’s Jade Simmons found the back of the net. Neither side troubled the scoreline again.
