idfielder Sherwyn Caesar scored a hat-trick as Guyana Defence Force (GDF) scored seven goals in a lopsided fixture as the second edition of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Stag Elite League got underway on Sunday at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground in Queenstown.
Part of the intense action between The Guyana Defence Force (red) and Victoria Kings (Marceano Narine Photo)
Caesar opened his account in the 78th minute and continued in the 87th and 90th minutes as the Military unit secured a commanding 7-1 victory over new comers Victoria Kings to get their League campaign off to the ideal start.
The winners scored three goals in the first half and four in the second while they missed several cleared opportunities and were denied several others due to some excellent glove work from the Kings’ goalies.
After missing clear shots prior to the fifteenth minute of the match, striker Delroy Fraser and midfielder Jeffrey Pereira were on spot in the 20th and 23rd minutes respectively to give GDF early control of the match.
Following those goals, striker Olvis Mitchell sent in the third in the 31st minute as the military unit increase momentum heading into the half.
Starting as one of the tournament’s favourites, GDF, who finished fifth last year were allowed a fourth goal in the 50th minute compliments of Eusi Phillips, who occupied the midfield position.
Subsequent to Phillips’ goal it was Caesar, who dominated in front of the patrons which amounted to just over 150 person and was growing into the night’s proceedings.
The Kings’ lone success came in the 86th minute when Marlis Johnson registered a stunner to give the East Coast unit something to really be proud of. Apart from Johnson’s goal, Kings’ custodians Rown Hamilton (who was in the goal for only the first half) and Shoman Holder were very watchful in the goal as they kept out at least five quality shots to deny their opponents and save their team some further embarrassment.
Meanwhile from as early as the 13th and 15th minutes and throughout the game GDF missed some clear shots. Some that could probably be consequential in other matches.
The tournament has been reduced to six teams from eight last year due to the weather over football. The teams participating this year are. GDF, Victoria Kings, Bakewell Top XX, Buxton United Sports Club, Fruta Conquerors and Monedderlust.
In a post-match briefing, President of the Guyana Football Federation said he is experiencing mixed feeling now that the tournament is up and running.
“It’s mixed feeling guys [members of the media], naturally my heart bleeds for the fact that I don’t have all the players and all the teams but ultimately football is about playing the sport.”
He congratulated the teams that are participating while urging the fans to support the league which he expects to be a competitive one.
In the second match of the evening at half time (which was up to press time) Fruta Conquerors were leading Linden’s Bakewell Top XX 2-0.
