Agricola Red Triangle made an exciting return to competitive football on the East Bank on Monday when they edged Grove Hi Tech 2-1 in the feature game of a double-header as play in the Stag Beer sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Division One League continued at the Grove Playfield.
Grove, also fielding a team in the Guyana Football Federation’s Premier League with provision for only their Under-21 players to be exposed at the East Bank level, went into the rubber a confident unit with much more playing hours under their belts than the re-emerging Agricola side.
Keen tussle
However, on the field of play it was a different ball game as Agricola came out all guns firing, controlling the opening exchanges. Urged on by their supporters, scattered around the ground and even on nearby verandahs, Grove kept in the game and enjoyed a few good runs of their own.
Agricola’s goalkeeper, Yohance Roberts was excellent between the uprights for his team. Grove’s captain, the experienced Domini Garnett was effectively shut out of the game by the Agricola team.
The first half ended 0-0 but more pulsating play was reserved for the final half. Five minutes into the half Agricola eased into the lead from an excellent cross by Travis Welch in the 50th minute. The high ball looked like it was destined over the cross bar to the custodian Michael Matthews’ right.
But to the surprise of all, the ball dipped and entered the “V” on the far side; Agricola one, Grove nil. It was truly a surprise for Grove whose defense could not believe but certain delight for Agricola who kept the pressure up on the home team.
That advantage was doubled in the 69th minute when Gordon Grant caught the Grove defense napping and the goalie beaten some way off his line. He kept his composure to dribble the lone defender before tapping the ball into the open nets; Agricola 2-0 up.
The home team has a reputation for taking victory from the jaws of defeat and did show signs of a comeback but was not able to go all the way since time was not on their side.
Joel Dick pulled one back for them to reduce the deficit in the 79th minute. As valiant as Grove’s efforts were to draw level and grab an equal share of the points, it was not to be, the game ending in favour of Agricola which has now joined Timehri Panthers, Kuru Kururu Warriors and Soesdyke Falcons as the teams winning their opening matches.
Huge margin
Soesdyke Falcons however, registered the biggest margin of victory, a 6-0 thumping of the young but determined Herstelling Football Club.
A double each off the boot of Colin McLean and Ulatto Smith guided Soesdyke to a comfortable three points for the win. McLean opened proceedings in the ninth minute and completed his tally in the 25th.
Smith was on target in the 23rd and 57th minutes. Also inking their names on the score sheet were Kelcey Benson in the 26th minute and Roger Dey in the 60th minute.
The young Herstelling unit got tougher as the game progressed, but were no match for the seasoned Soesdyke side. Another double-header is set for Sunday at the same venue.
