GFF-Corona Super 16 year-end Classic…Four thrilling matches completed on Christmas and Christmas Eve

Dec 28, 2017 Sports, https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...s-and-christmas-eve/

By Calvin Chapman
Action in the Guyana Football Federation/Corona Super 16 year-end classic heated up during the last two match days on December 24th and 25th despite intermittent rain fall. On Christmas Eve, two games at the Mecca of football in the city, Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, thrilled the scores of fans that witnessed two interesting group games between Grove Hi-Tech and Western Tigers in the first and Fruta Conquerors against Ann’s Grove United in the feature match.

In the feature match on Saturday (Christmas Eve), Fruta Conquerors, the runners’ up of the previous GFF Elite league, exercised their experience and superior quality over East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) club Ann’s Grove to drub them 6-0. Five Conquerors players netted in the big victory, while Kevin Williams of Ann’s Grove was unfortunate to turn one into the back of his own net. Eon Alleyne led the Tucville based club with a brace, while Raushawn Sandiford, Anthony Abrams and Jermin Junior netted once for the winners.
The first match on that night witnessed Grove Hi-Tech of the East Bank FA defeat GFF Elite league newcomers Western Tigers 2-1. Hi-Tech scored all three of the goals in the match including an own goal before Alex Sinclair extra-time strike gifted them the win. Early on, in the 12th minute of the match, Domini Garnett had fired the eventual winners ahead but Delroy Dodson scored an own-goal to equalize in the 56th minute, during the second half that allowed the game to reach extra time.
Christmas Day football in Linden
The match-day on Christmas at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground was well enjoyed by the fans that packed the stands and viewed two entertaining matchups. The feature match of the night was contested between National Champions Guyana Defence Force Football Club (GDF FC) and home side, the “mining town” based Winners Connection FC that eventually lost by penalties in the elongated battle under lights.
In the first play of the game, Winners Connection squandered an amazing opportunity to go 1-0 up in the first minute but instead after being one-on-one with the keeper, the shot was skied over the goaltender, the goal post and out of the ground. Ten minutes later GDF capitalized on their lifeline and made no mistake when Kennard Simon fired past Connection’s goalkeeper Shaquille Frank in the 11th minute. Marley Davidson scored a brace for Connection in the 2-2 full and extra-time game, replied with a header in the 28th minute to equalize the match.
Thirteen minutes into the second half, Travis Henry rifled the army back into the lead and on the brink of full-time, Marley Davidson completed his brace to level the game for the second time, following another header from a corner set-piece. The score remained 2-2 throughout extra-time with both teams looking dreadfully close to scoring.

GDF eventually got past the supposed minnows 3-2 after the penalty shootout.
In the first game at the MSC ground, the fans had much to cheer about as Linden based Milerock FC defeated Den Amstel FC of West Demerara FA 3-1. Scoring for Milerock were Denzil Fordyce who netted a brace in the 32nd and 53rd minutes and Lorenzo Miller who scored in the 90th. Gideon Payne had equalized for the ordinary looking Den Amstel FC in the 47th minute before the eventual and almost ominous defeat.
All the subsequent matches in the tournament are scheduled to be contested at the Leonora Track And Field Facility’s football pitch which has a superior drying ability. This is ideal due to the current weather pattern.
The winners of this tournament will receive a grand cash prize of $2million, while the losing finalist will receive $1million, third place $500,000 and fourth $250,000.
As part of the grand finale that will be played on January 1st 2018, Jamaican Dancehall artiste, Popcaan will cap off the event with a live performance.

GDF’s Eusi Philips takes control as his team goes on another attack with his team mate Nigel Braithwaite tracking behind to assist the move.