GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U17 football: Henrietta now in firm control of Essequibo/ Pomeroon league

It was a Sunday overflowing with excitement and nail-biting moments at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground in the Cinderella County of Region Two when rivalry in the Essequibo Pomeroon Football Association (EPFA) leg of the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power Under-17 Intra Association League continued with a doubleheader.

In the clash of the undefeated teams, Henrietta United came from a goal down to edge Dartmouth Determinators in a classic seven-goal thriller that produced end-to-end action, while in the clatter of the pointless teams, both Good Hope and Queenstown United left the park with a smile as they shared the spoils equally in a 1-1 epic.
Good Hope FC signalled very early in the match that they were focused on changing their fortunes in the League when they drew first blood with just seven (7) minutes on the clock, thanks to an Omar Kendell strike. They held Queenstown at bay for quite some time, but the patient Queenstown lads were awaiting their opportunity, and when that came in the 48th minute, Brian Innis made no mistake in burying the shot that allowed them an equal share of the points; which, like their opponents, was their first for the league.
Fans could not have asked for a better match in the clash of the undefeated clubs, as the future stars of Cinderella and Guyana proved why they have been permanent fixtures in their respective teams. Prior to this match, Dartmouth enjoyed the position on the summit by virtue of a better goal difference, but that was changed in mere moments, as Henrietta soon showed why they are regarded as the favourites.
Dartmouth cantered into the lead through the first of a double from Martin Garraway in the 13th minute. This hushed the Henrietta team and their fans, but not for long as, two minutes after falling behind, Deshawn Verwayne drew his team level with a well-calculated shot in the 15th minute.
Thereafter, it was all domination – at least goal-wise – for Henrietta, as they fired in two unanswered goals to set up an encouraging two-goal cushion. Erron Caesar in the 20th minute, and teammate Darius Pearson in the 28th minute, built on the platform as they sensed victory.
After the break, both teams scored in the 52nd minute. Henrietta got theirs from Elisha Smith, while Dartmouth’s came off the boots of Garraway, to complete his double. The advantage for Henrietta was reduced to 4-2, and with the frenetic pace of the game, Dartmouth did harbour thoughts of further reducing the deficit, and even pushing for a draw.
They did succeed to some extent when
Anais Glasgow scored in the 57th minute to further cut Henrietta’s advantage, to 4-3. But that is exactly how the final scorecard looked: Henrietta holding on for the win which propelled them to the top of the leaderboard with two more matches to go for the end of the first round.
Five clubs are battling for supremacy as they seek to become the champions, the ones with the earned right to represent the Essequibo Pomeroon Football Association (EPFA) in the national playoffs.