Matthews, Garnett architects of Grove’s heist on Police
GFF/ Corona ‘Super 16’ tournament
The Grove Hi-Tech outfit was on the happier end of a thrilling upset victory over the Guyana Police Force FC in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/Corona Super 16 tournament.
A star studded Police FC were stunned on Wednesday night at the National Track and Field Facility in Leonora as minnows Grove Hi-Tech beat them late in extra time.
Following a thrilling game in which Police took the lead late in the second half through Quincy Holder in the 72nd minute, Grove Hi-Tech managed to equalize in the last minute of normal time through Domini Garnett. Garnett’s equalizer meant that the game went into extra time with the score locked at 1-1.
L-R: The heroes for Grove Hi-Tech Nicholai Matthews and Domini Garnett Caption: Fruta scorers from left Jermaine Junior, Anthony Abrams, Eon Alleyne
However the Police men failed to impose themselves as even guest player Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson could not pull them over the finish line, but Grove’s fleet footed winger Nicholai Matthews popped up in the second half of extra time (112th minute) to sink the winning goal in the back of the law men’s net.
In the other quarter final, Fruta Conquerors FC inflicted a 5-0 drubbing on Buxton United to seal their semi-final berth.
Braces from Eon Alleyne and veteran striker Anthony “Awo” Abrams ensured that the men in Orange had a comfortable victory.
It was action from the get go as Alleyne wasted no time slotting his first goal home after just two minutes while the ever dangerous Jermin Junior doubled their money the 35th minute but that would be all for the first half.
After the break, the Alleyne and Abrams show began as first Alleyne struck his second in the 65th minute. After coming off the bench in the 70th minute, Abrams wasted no time and once again proved his worth by finding the back of the net in the 71st minute, his next goal would in the 86th minute and the Buxton players were more than happy to hear the whistle blown for full time.
The semi-finals will be played on Friday at the Leonora Track and Field Stadium with the first game kicking off at 18:00h, Milerock FC will clash with GDF while Fruta will face Grove Hi-Tech. The winners of those respective games will meet in the final at the same venue.
The possibility of Fruta facing GDF in yet another final is not improbable and fans will be eagerly looking forward to the semi-finals.
Teams are playing for the grand cash prize of $2million, while the losing finalist will receive $1million, third place $500,000 and fourth $250,000.
