Defending champions Sparta Boss certainly showed who is boss, as they booked their semi-final spot in the Georgetown leg of the Guinness Greatest of the Streets Football Tournament by defeating a spirited Camp Street All-stars team on Saturday evening at the Banks DIH Demerara Park.
Broad Street’s Lennox Cort (yellow bib) withstood the physical battle to score a spectacular goal in the 39th minute
The other teams to seal their place in the final four are Tucville, Broad Street Bullies and Back Circle.
The Prison Inmates had the support of the vocal crowd in attendance as they undertook the herculean task of overcoming a team that boasts several former and current National players, who are all very experienced in this format of the sport. In the early exchanges both sides were intent on finding a goal but steely defending and missed opportunities meant there was no change in the score line. Wendell Austin took the attack to the opposition, unleashing some powerful strikes which threatened to breach Sparta’s defence. The Lot 12 unit would have needed to score their first goal in the regulation time since the group stages commenced but this was not the case, as Sparta’s Courtney Britton latched onto a loose ball to slot home the winning goal from the right side in the 21st minute.
Meanwhile, in what can be considered the most bruising encounter of the night, Broad Street fought their way to a 2-0 viactory over Queen Street Tigerbay. From the blow of the whistle both sides wrestled each other for possession while arousing spectators with some nimble offensive plays. An own goal by the Tigerbay unit in the 21st minute broke the deadlock but that did not stop Broad Street from pressing for more goals.
In the 39th minute Lennox Cort brought the crowd alive with a solo run at goal dribbling past two Tigerbay players after which he slotted it into the box from the left side.
Similarly, smart tactics by Tucville paved the way for their 2-1 win over Leopold Street. Throughout the match, Tucville man-marked the Leopold players in their half which eventually allowed for Leon Richardson to score in the 21st minute. It was not all done and dusted as Okeene Fraser found the equaliser seven minutes later but when the match looked destined to be decided by spot kicks, Dennis Edwards netted in the 37th. In the final quarter-final, Sylvester Richardson’s 19th minute conversion gave Back Circle a 1-0 win over North East La Penitence.
The semi-finals which will be played on Tuesday at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac, pits Tucville against Broad Street in the first match followed by Back Circle and Sparta Boss.
The grand finals will be held on Friday at the National Park Tarmac where the teams will be battling for over $1M in prize monies and trophies. The winning team is set to receive $500,000, runner-up $200,000, 3rd place $150,000 and 4th place $100,000.
