– Ann Captain’s triple seals Gladiators’ win in female shindig
The Rupununi Football Association’s (RFA’s) 2020 season kicked off last Sunday evening at the Culvert City Sports Ground with the opening ceremony being attended by GFF President Wayne Forde, Lethem Mayor His Worship John Macedo, and FRA President Ryan Farias and his executive.
Guyana Rush Saints
Two matches followed the season’s official opening, the feature match of which resulted in defending male champions Guyana Rush Saints defeating Tabatinga 3-1, while the opening encounter, a female affair, ended in pulsating style, with Gladiators edging Tabagtinga 3-2.
It was not easy going for the defending champs Guyana Rush Saints, as Tabatinga were able to keep them at bay until the 35th minute, when the deadlock was broken by Brandon Parks, handing the defending champs the lead.
However, on the stroke of halftime, Tabatinga were able to level the scores through a Wayne Da Silva shot that found the back of the net, much to the delight of his teammates and supporters.
It turned out to be Tabatinga’s only goal of the night, while the Guyana Rush Saints tucked in two more goals to walk away with full points and commence their championship defence on a high.
Gladiators
Quason Gilette sent Rush Saints ahead again with his goal in the 65th minute, while the sealer was fired from the boot of Franklin Parks in the 69th minute.
The female clash was an exciting shindig between Gladiators and Tabatinga, but the Gladiators were able to hold their nerve to win 3-2. Ann Captain was the heroine for the Gladiators, netting all three goals.
The nippy Captain scored in the 5th and 21st minutes to record the first goals of the 2020 season, but in the 22nd minute, just one minute after her second goal, Tabatinga’s Loma Lia de Souza Barreto narrowed the deficit.
When the half-time whistle sounded, Gladiators held a slight one-goal advantage, and the fans — including GFF President Wayne Forde and Lethem Mayor His Worship John Macedo – found themselves bracing for an equally exciting second half.
And they were not disappointed, as both teams continued to take the fight to each other. The spoils were shared equally, with a goal at each end; however, Gladiators’ one goal cushion from the opening 45 minutes helped them take full points.
Captain tucked in her third goal of the match in the 52nd minute, while Gabriela Almeida scored the second for Tabatinga, but it was not enough to deny the winners. Matches will continue this weekend.
