By Treiston Joseph
Top futsal side, Bent Street, got off to a solid start in the first-ever Xtreme Clean and Maintenance ‘Gold Rush’ Futsal that continued on Saturday evening at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue. Bent Street topped Campbellville United 3-1, but took until the second half to find their rhythm even going down one-nil in the first half after a goal by Steffon Ramzy in the eighth minute.
However, Bent Street found their groove and quickly put away Campbellville with all three of their goals coming within three minutes. Okenny Fraser scored in the 13th minute, while Travis Likine scored in the 14th and 15th minutes. Future Stars showed some fire-power, as the youngest team in terms of age dominated North East La Penitence 5-1.
Keron Solomon had a double in the 17th and 19th minutes, while Jamal Cozier scored in the third minute; Kevin Cumming and Akeemo Anthony scored back-to-back goals in the 20th minute to seal the deal. Junior Jordan scored North East’s lone goal in the eighth minute. Tucville and Melanie ‘B’ had the best offensive game of the night with the former winning 5-4 to advance in the tournament.
Ryan Hackett scored a hat-trick in the seventh, 16th and 17th minutes to lead the way, while Williams Urup scored a helmet-trick in the ninth, 15th, 18th and 19th minutes in a losing effort. Plaisance and Alexander Village went down to sudden death kicks after penalties failed to separate the two teams.
After a top game that saw the score line draw on four-all, the penalty shoot out failed to separate the squads as that ended one-all. However, Plaisance pulled off the win with a 3-2 sudden death win. Dwyan Ali was the top scorer in regulation time for Plaisance with a double in the fifth and 15th minutes.
Back Circle also got their campaign in the tournament off to a positive start with a 3-nil win against Globe Yard. Back Circle played unselfishly, with Selwyn Williams, Jermaine Beckles and Jamal Adams scoring a goal each in the 19th, ninth and 16th minutes respectively.
In other results, North Ruimveldt topped Goal is Money 3-2 on penalty kicks after a one-all draw and Broad Street Bullies defeated Buxton 2-1. Twelve teams now remain, namely Sparta Boss, Agricola Champion Boys, Tucville, Sophia, Back Circle, Tigerbay, Albouystown, North Ruimvedlt, Broad Street Bullies, Future Stars, Bent Street and Plaisance.
The 12 teams will now play in a round-robin format of three groups of four before the business end of the tournament begins. The tournament will continue on this evening (May 28) with round-robin action before a break until June 6 where action will continue at the National Gymnasium.
