Manzan climb to second in Fishing Pond

MARCELL THOMAS

Top teams dropped vital points in the Caribbean Welders Fishing Pond Football League in a week full of action in the popular 9-a-side competition. On Monday, Manzan United made easy work of North Oropouche with a comfortable 3-0 win that propelled them up the table. Strikes from either side of the half by the in-form Keon Boney paired with an own goal secured full points for Manzan United. With this victory, Manzan (with a game in hand) moved to second place on the standings, behind leaders Dragon FC. Unfortunately for Dragon FC, they suffered a 3-0 loss by default to G Madrid.

In other action on Tuesday, Boys Town United edged the high-flying Express 3-2 in an entertaining affair. In game one of a doubleheader at North Oropouche grounds, the youth and stamina of SP Boys were enough to get past Alliance 3-2. A goal apiece from Jamaul Glenn and Jamal Wharwood before the half gave SP Boys a comfortable lead. Alliance’s Daren Allen pulled one back early in the second half, making it 2-1, but it was Jamal Wharwood who completed his brace, sending the SP Boys supporters in a frenzy. Leornardo Dacosta brought Alliance within one with a goal but SP Boys walked away with full points. Game two on the night featured Two Touch versus Gremiol, in what seemed like a revitalised Two Touch team. The table proppers took the early lead when Ajay Andel lobbed the goalkeeper with a long range shot. But this goal awakened Gremio, who replied in rapid succession with two quick goals by Dwaine Ovid and Sherman De Gazon respectively. Gremio continued their goal scoring form after the interval through Joel Hoyte and a late hat-trick by Rickel Dickson, with an eventual score of 6-1. Gremio goalie Trey Eligon continued his solid showing for the Coalmine-based team looking to return to the final.

In game one last Wednesday, a late lone item by Garvin George from Fishing Pond Youths was enough to give his team maximum points over neighbouring rivals North Oropouche. El Carmen suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of Boys Town United and Alescon FC respectively. Boys Town trounced El Carmen 8-0 last Wednesday. Dorian Robinson’s brace in the second half for Alescon was enough to see off Kerry De Four’s goal for El Carmen in the game that ended 2-1.

Manzan United had all to play for versus Gremio FC with first place position one victory away, after Dragon FC dropped points earlier in the week. Gremio FC, beaming from a recent 6-1 win earlier in the week, drew first blood in the first half with a strike by Joel Hoyte. Elijah Parson equalised for Manzan United, but it was Hoyte who again put his team ahead to make it 2-1. But the action wasn’t finished, Maznan captain Darkiel Ferreira salvaged a point for his team with the last kick of the game.

Fixtures:

Today - Fishing Pond Youths vs SP Boys, Fishing Pond Recreational Grounds, 4pm; Boys Town vs Two Touch, North Oropouche Recreational Grounds, 6:30pm.

Saturday - Express vs Fishing Pond Youths, Fishing Pond Recreational Grounds, 4pm; Gremio vs Alliance, North Oropouche Recreational Grounds, 6pm; North Oropouche vs Alescon, North Oropouche Recreational Grounds, 8pm.

Sunday - El Carmen vs Manzan Untied, North Oropouche Recreational Grounds, 6pm.