KFC Elite League: GDF, Slingerz make waves on return to play
The Guyana Football Federation’s National Training Center (NTC) at Providence, East Bank Demerara came alive on Sunday night when the KFC Elite League resumed in full force, with the ‘big teams’ back in action.
In what was previously touted as one of the ‘must- see games of the tournament’, Slingerz Football Club trumped a familiar foe in Western Tigers to conclude what was an entertaining night of football action in Season 6 of the League.
Returning to competition after several of their players were out on international duties, Slingerz were tasked with facing former Coach Charles Pollard, who could have used his intricate knowledge of the Slingerz players to his outfit’s benefit.
Initially, it appeared as though that was occurring as the men out of West Ruimveldt took the lead first by way of an Andrew Murray strike. On an assist from Captain Daniel Wilson, who stormed the box, Murray found the back of the net in the 25th minute and Western held on for almost another 20 minutes.
Olvis Mitchell (green) led the charge for GDF with a hat-trick
However, 3 minutes before the first segment expired, Slingerz’ Darron Niles levelled the scores with a perfectly executed set-piece from 10 yards outside the box.
With the scores levelled 1-all, Slingerz stunned Western Tigers with two back-to-back goals early in the second.
Both executed in similar fashion, Simeon Moore assisted, while Sheldon Holder executed the finishes in the 52nd and 56th minutes.
The score remained 3-1 for much of the half, until Curtez Kellman converted a penalty opportunity in the 85th to push the final score to 4-1.
Earlier on Sunday evening, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) FC also made a strong return with an 8-0 mauling of Fruta Conquerors FC.
While Fruta Conquerors managed to hold off the soldiers for some time, it was short-lived as Olvis Mitchell opened GDF’s account in the 22nd minute. Thereafter, Mitchell made it a 2-0 affair by the 30th minute and went on to complete his hat-trick before the half expired, in the 45th+1.
A look at the battle between Slingerz FC (orange) and Western Tigers FC
But Mitchell’s superb striking was not the only source of fireworks in the first 45 minutes, Delroy Fraser had found the back of the net in the 31st, while Chris Macey did the same in the 42nd to ensure a whopping 5-0 lead by intermission.
Then in the second, Ian Dooker extended GDF’s lead in the 64th minute, while Stephen McDonald and Kelsey Benjamin added their names to the scoresheet in the 72nd and 89th minutes for the massive win.
The Elite League continues today, Tuesday, April 2, at the same Providence venue with another double-header. First, Monedderlust Football Club will battle Den Amstel FC at 18:30h, and then Santos FC take on the Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC from 21:00h.
