The Bartica Zone of the “Guinness Greatest of the Streets” Football Championships kicked off on Friday evening at the Community Centre tarmac with six closely contested matches.
In the first match, Almanac Kings won 2-1 on penalty kicks against Times Square after the game ended 2-2. Don Lam in the 3rd minute, followed by Richardo Perreira two minutes later, placed Almanac in the ascendency; but Cyprian Collison (12th) and Rondell Calender (23rd) helped Times Square draw level.
In similar fashion, the match between Campbellville and Street Kings produced an identical outcome, with the former winning on penalty kicks. Kelvin Isaacs (20th) and Marvin Bamfield (26th) sealed the win for their team, while Elijah Fraser (5th) and Shameer Mentore (15th) placed Kings ahead.
It was great tussle by all teams on the night of the Bartica Zone (file photo)
Meanwhile, River View’s 3-1 victory over Lotto Arcade was the highest margin for the night. Romario Lake (7th), Steven Edwards (15th) and Andel Norton (30th) netted for the victors, while Mclean Pickett (25th) scored for the opposition.
Beacon One Love were edged by Police 2-1, with Roderick Hamilton (18th) and Mark Boyce (33rd) leading the response, after Randy Adams had given Beacon the lead in the 6th minute.
In addition, the eighth-minute goal by Plantain Slice’s Shawn Dash made the difference against Young Guns, while All Stars won 1-0 over Beacon Die Hard, with Ryan Scott (28th) being the scorer.
The semi-finals and finals are scheduled to be played tonight, along with the third place playoff and several exhibition matches.
Winners are set to receive $400,000 and the championship trophy; while second-, third- and fourth-placed finishers collect $150,000, $75,000 and $50,000 respectively.
The winners will advance to represent the mining community in the grand finals billed for next month, featuring the top zone teams from Georgetown, East Coast Demerara, Linden, Berbice West Demerara/East Bank Demerara.
