Western Tigers overcome odds to reach K&S semifinals
By Isaiah Chappelle
Guyana Chronicle
December 27, 2003
PLAYING under the Kashif & Shanghai All Stars banner, the controversial Western Tigers continued to overcome the odds to reach the semifinals of the Christmas Football Festival, staged by the Kashif & Shanghai Organisation.
In the Christmas Day quarterfinals at the Blairmont Community Centre ground, the Tigers disposed of a squandering BV/Triumph United 2-1 while Camptown routed Netrockers 4-0.
All the goals were scored in the first half for the Tigers’ victory, and down ten men, they persevered, as on the day observed as the birthday of Christ Shawn Daniels chose to sin big-time, throwing away some clear chances for BV/Triumph.
Eron Hayde and Rayon Thomas netted for the Kashif & Shanghai All Stars and National Under-17 and Under-23 striker, Dwight Peters put in the one for the East Coast Demerara team.
Hayde was in the net within three minutes of play, sending a powerful shot to goal, but the Tigers were lucky not to have the advantage negated, ten minutes later. BV attacked down the centre, shot and the goalkeeper Rollox Scott dived for the save. Scott did not clutch the ball and the second shot from the rebound at right went slowly past the last post.
Then Western Tigers lost National Under-23 striker Devon Millington who stupidly punched a BV player in his groin after both ended on the ground. His opponent was taken off the field on a stretcher.
But in the 31st minute, the West Ruimveldt-based team widened the gap. In a wonderful change of play from the left, Jones on the right sent a long ball back to the left, just inside the box, and Thomas rushed in to finish.
BV/Triumph began utilising the number advantage and they pulled one back in the 36th minute. An unmarked Peters received a pass from centre, and the Western defence stood, probably waiting for the referee’s whistle, and goalkeeper hesitated then advanced, with Peters shooting the ball through his legs, into the net.
No more goals materialised in the match as the All Stars held out in the second half, but with BV/Triumph not opening up some good opportunities, mainly through Peters and Jerome Richardson who had a good game.
But Daniels squandered almost all the opportunities, with Peters accounting for two clear ones. BV/Triumph took off Daniels with 15 minutes left, but the Tigers held their ground.
In the second match Camptown started off looking good with intelligent passes, steals and several shots to goal with Jonathan Peters, Gregory Richardson, Sherwin Cadogan and Elton Brown finding the northern net.
However, they did not maintain the intensity and after 15 minutes of superb football, the game descended into boredom.
Peters tucked in the first goal in the fourth minute. Brown had shot from just inside the left of the box. The ball hit the last post, rebounding into play and Peters finished from three metres out.
Nigel Codrington had a terrible game as Camptown midfield went into slumber mode, so much so Richardson had to drop from strike to create play.
In a nice piece of play, Brown on the left, crossed to Richardson at centre to set a free Codrington at the right edge of the box but he missed the goal.
Richardson scored in the 45th minute. Codrington took the right corner kick and Brown sent a good headshot to goal, the goalkeeper got a touch and Richardson was in position to finish. Camptown led 2-0 at halftime.
Netrockers introduced fresh legs in the second half but still could not put together any threatening raid, even as Codrington continued to mess some good chances.
In the 75th minute, Cadogan netted the third goal. He collected a loose ball, took a sudden shot from 40 metres out, beating the goalkeeper who was off his line.
Then two minutes into stoppage time, Brown finally found the net. Peters raced with the ball down the left wing, crossed to Codrington at centre, who as usual missed, but Brown rushed in to finish.
The two winning teams will now clash in the semifinals at the GCC ground, Bourda, tomorrow.