GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt U17 League – Essequibo-Pomeroon FA: Marks’ hat-trick lead Dartmouth to victory

Henrietta United and Dartmouth Determinators both pocketed full points when the Essequibo-Pomeroon Football Association (EPFA) leg of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power, Under-17 Intra Association League kicked off on Sunday last at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground.
Stamping their authority from the onset of action was Dartmouth, which, led by the first hat-trick of the league off the boots of Sachel Marks, brushed aside Queenstown United easily, 4-1. It took some time for both sides to settle in and get into a groove given the return of competitive football following a prolonged layoff owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grooving in first was Dartmouth in the 20th minute when Marks latched onto a well-taken pass before firing the ball past the Queenstown goalkeeper much to the delight of his teammates and supporters.
Just five minutes later, Marks was on target again to double the advantage for Dartmouth. Goal number three was scored by Rockcliffe Grant in the 36th minute as Dartmouth further put a clamp on their opponents.
Marks completed his hat-trick in the 52nd minute for the winners, and they have sent an ominous warning to the other three teams in the reckoning for top honours. Queenstown got their consolation goal from Jameen Hubbard.
Henrietta United had to dig deep to take full points as they came from a goal down against Good Hope FC to win their clash 2-1. Good Hope would take the lead in the 20th minute through an Alonzo John effort.
That advantage was held for 10 minutes before Henrietta drew level through a well-taken shot from Dwayne Verwayne in the 35th minute. Seven minutes later, Zavier Layne’s goal not only handed Henrietta the lead for the first time, but salvaged full points for his team in the 42nd minute.
Tapakuma FC are the other club contesting this league, which will be played over three rounds as only five clubs are battling for bragging rights as the best from Cinderella County and the rights to represent it at the National Inter-Association competition. Matches will continue at the same venue this Sunday.
Earlier, new EPFA President Marvin Pearson, presiding over his first tournament since taking over the reins of the Association, congratulated the players and the respective club executives for making the tournament possible, noting that they all were winners.
Pearson, a teacher by profession, also thanked the sponsor, National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) for staying the course by sponsoring this league that would be played for the first time in the Regional Associations.
“Sponsorship is vital to the sustenance and development of our players and while we, as a member of the GFF, express our gratitude to the Managing Director of NAMILCO and his staff, we would also like to recognise the leadership of the GFF led by President Wayne Forde for making this tournament happen,” Pearson said. “We look forward to some exciting football over the coming weeks and months.”