August 27, 2010 | By Kaieteur News
New Amsterdam United, Mahaica Determinators and Pistions United are the latest teams to advance when competition in the 3rd annual Cheddi Jagan Memorial knock0out football tournament continued at the No. 5 Ground, West Coast Berbice.
On an exciting day, New Amsterdam outhustled city side Fruta Conquerors to win an epic battle in extra time 3-2; Mahaica turned back the challenge of Upper Demerara’s Winners Connection 2-1 while the dismal performances of the visiting teams continued when Georgetown Football Club (GFC) suffered a 1-0 loss to Pistons.
New Amsterdam came out all guns blazing against Conquerors and in 5 minutes were rewarded with their first goal, Kelvin Joseph netting the first of his brace. Fifteen minutes later Conquerors drew level compliments of a Warren Lawrence effort as the first half ended 1-1.
The second half was just as competitive as the first with New Amsterdam United nosing ahead again when Joseph completed his double in the 36th minute.
But the City side was not to be undone by the high energy display of the home team as they yet again nullified that advantage in the 51st minute via an Eon Alleyne free kick.
At the end of regulation time (70 mins) the score line remained unchanged pushing the game into extra time.
But it was New Amsterdam who had the nerves to take them all the way, 4 minutes into extra time Colin Bowry sealed their place in the next round with a well taken goal.
This time the Berbice side ensured they preserved their advantage.
Mahaica Determinators with goals from Dellon Charles (24) and Mikel Benjamin (76) marched to a 2-1 victory over a game Winners Connection who played competitive ball but could not contain their more determined opponents. Winners Connection got their consolation goal off the boot of Rene Gibbons in the 64th minute.
The final match of the triple header produced an exciting 1-0 win for Pistons over GFC following a 0-0 first half stalemate.
Pistons’ Custodian Rodwell ‘Piper’ Liddell turned in a man-of-the-match performance as he pulled off some excellent saves to deny Winners.
Pistons got the winning goal from Julius Haniff in the 49th minute which effectively sealed the win in the 80 minute battle.
The tournament will continue this weekend with more potentially explosive encounters.