KFC Elite League 2023: Western Tigers, GPF draw first blood

There were contrasting wins for Western Tigers and Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC, when the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/KFC Elite League got off to an exciting start on Sunday evening.
Prior to the on-field action, 10 football clubs were involved in a ceremonious march past, which signalled the commencement of the KFC-sponsored fifth edition of the League.

Before play kicked off at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary with a double header, GFF President Wayne Forde encouraged players to grasp the golden opportunity that competing in the League offers.

“This tournament belongs to you players. All the good work and the hard work that my team and I have been doing over the past couple of months in planning this League and bringing it into fruition is for you. This is the one opportunity you’re going to have to not only showcase your talents to the fans that are going to be out here over the next couple of months to enjoy the games, but also to audition before our national scouting team,” Forde shared during brief remarks.
He went on to add, “I do hope you play hard, competitive and we have an exciting tournament.”
When it got down to game time, Western Tigers thumped Milerock FC, out of Linden, 10-0.
Western’s Captain, Daniel Wilson opened the scoring early, in the third minute of the encounter, executing a stellar strike after receiving a well- placed assist from Eusi Phillips.
The second goal was not witnessed until the 31st minute of the game when Hubert Pedro beat the defender and the goalkeeper with a long shot, just inside the 18-yard box.
It was at that point that goals started to rain down on the Milerock defence. A leap and a header resulted in the third goal for Western Tigers, coming from Jorrell Tyrell in the 33rd minute while in the 44th Curtez Kellman added his name to the scoresheet with a blistering long shot straight through the middle.
The half ended 4-0, but the West Ruimveldt-based outfit had lots more in store. With the introduction of Trayon Bobb in the second half, things got a lot pacier for Milerock.
Wilson went on to complete his hat-trick in the 50th and 83rd minutes, the latter being assisted by Bobb from the wings, while Tyrrell completed his double with another strike in the 58th. Malachi Grannum added to the tally in the 71st, and Bobb’s sprints down the wings paid dividends in the 80th, when he found the back of the net. In the 90th+2, Jermaine Beckles sealed the deal, bringing up the 10th goal, just before the final whistle was sounded.
In the second fixture of the night, defending champions Fruta Conquerors crumbled under the pressure of the GPF FC on their home turf.
At first, the match-up looked evenly poised with young Fruta Conquerors placing the first shot on target, though it was scooped up by the Officers’ goalkeeper, their intensity remained high. Police, on the other hand, took some time to find their groove, but did not waste their opportunity when it came knocking.
With the Conquerors’ defence rushing to the wings, a clever pass found Nicholas McArthur square in front of the goal with no protection in sight. McArthur made no mistake to register Police’s first goal in the 28th minute.
In the 83rd, it was McArthur again, this time capitalising on a set piece to find the back of the net for his team’s second goal in the 2-0 victory.
The Elite League will continue on Tuesday, with another double-header at the same venue. From 19:00h, Victoria Kings will take on Santos, while GDF and Ann’s Grove go head-to-head from 21:00h. (Jemima Holmes)