Trafalgar edge Cougars on penalties to book semi-final clash with Paradise

A goalkeeping masterclass from Jeremy Thornhill propelled Trafalgar FC into the semi-finals of the Candy Boss & Di Antics 8-A-Side Knockout Football Tournament on Saturday evening at the Scott School Ground, New Amsterdam, as they edged Cougars 2-1 on penalties after an absorbing 2-2 draw in regulation time.
With tension high and both teams refusing to blink, Thornhill produced the defining moment of the night, saving three of Cougars’ four spot-kicks in a heroic shootout display that sparked wild celebrations from the Trafalgar camp and booked a mouth-watering semi-final clash with Paradise FC.

The contest itself was as lively as the occasion demanded. William Sumersell and Nuquan Samuels struck for Cougars, and Trafalgar answered through Shaquile Gilgeous and Enriquez Lewis, keeping the encounter on a knife’s edge until the final whistle. Cougars pushed hard for a late winner, but Trafalgar’s defence held firm, and when the match went to penalties, Thornhill stole the show with calm, commanding saves to complete the job.
Earlier, the evening opened with a tight first encounter in which Airy Hall advanced with a gritty 1-0 victory over Monedderlust, doing just enough in a disciplined performance to move into the final four.

In the second match of the triple-header, Buxton Stars produced one of the most energetic performances of the tournament so far, rolling past Golden Grove 4-1 in a game that was far more intense than the scoreline suggests. Buxton set the tempo from early, pressing aggressively, winning the midfield battles and forcing errors as Golden Grove struggled to settle under the sustained pressure. Even when Golden Grove threatened in flashes, Buxton’s sharper finishing and stronger organisation ensured they remained in control, pulling away as the match wore on to confirm a deserved semi-final place.
The night’s climax belonged to Trafalgar, however, as the battle-tested side showed both attacking quality and composure under pressure to survive Cougars and march on.
With the latest round complete, the semi-final match-ups are now confirmed: Paradise FC – fresh from their emphatic 4-1 win over Ithaca – will meet Trafalgar in what is shaping up as a blockbuster showdown, while Buxton Stars will face Airy Hall in the other semi-final.
The semi-finals are slated for January 9, 2026, with the grand final set for January 10, as the competition intensifies for a share of over $2 million in cash and prizes in one of Berbice’s most-anticipated football tournaments.