Akeil James fired in a hat-trick as title-holder Beckles Environmental River Plate blasted San Juan San Juan 10-1 in their round-of-16 match of the Santa Cruz Football Cup at the Brian Lara Recreation Ground, Sam Boucaud, Lower Santa Cruz on Tuesday.
Donovan Derrick and Quincy Charles added two goals each while the trio of Keon Cummings, Anthony Guppy and A Danglade chipped in with one each, to cancel out Sheldon Thomas’ lone reply for San Juan San Juan.
Joining River Plate in the last-eight of the tournament which carries a $20,000 top prize were former champions Police, Sam Boucaud, Pipiol and newcomers’ D 14 FC.
On Saturday, in the first round-of-16 match, former Soca Warriors striker Kerry Baptiste banged in a double and ex-national youth World Cup midfielder Jean-Luc Rochford, one in Sam Boucaud’s 3-0 shut-out of Macoya.
A day later, D 14 FC got a goal each T&T leading goalscorer Stern John, his son Terik John as well as former national duo, Gary Glasgow and Darren Lewis in its 4-0 bashing of Pacemakers to maintain its 100 per cent winning record in the competition while Pipiol got the better of Malick 3-1, on penalty-kicks.
This after both teams battled to a 1-1 draw with Shaquille Long netted for Pipiol and Jorvan Quamina for Malick.
Police got a goal each from Corey Rivers and S. Stoute to edge past Hot Shots, 2-1. Jimmy Lucas was on target for Hot Shots.
Meanwhile, national Under-20 striker, Brent Sam got a hat-trick to lead San Juan Youths past Nazarene 6-1 in the round-of-16 playoff to set up a clash with Front Line, tomorrow. Yesterday, Cantaro United faced Valencia in their battle for a quarterfinal spot.
The league runner-up will get $10,000, third $5,000 and fourth, $3,000.
On Saturday, the Unipet-sponsored Garfield De Silva Knockout Cup, featuring a first prize of $10,000 and $3,000 for second will kick off.
Other tournament sponsors include Ricky Ragoonanan Group of Companies, Beckles Environmental and Monteco Creations.
Final Santa Cruz Football Cup Groups positions:
Kenneth Lester Group: 1. River Plate - 9pts; 2. Hot Shots - 4; 3. Macoya FC - 4; North Coast - 0
Mortima Joseph Group: 1. Cantaro Utd - 7; 2.Police - 6; 3. San Juan Youths - 3; La Pastora - 1.
Alfred Gordon Group: 1. Front Line - 6; 2. Real Pipiol - 6; 3. Pacemakers - 4; Victors - 1
Gerard Craigwell Group: 1. D 14 FC - 9; 2. Valencia - 6; 3. San Juan San Juan - 3; Santa Cruz Touring Team - 0
Moses Vidale Group: 1. Sam Boucaud - 7; 2. Malick - 4; Nazarene FC - 3, VFI - 2
Charlie De Bourg Group: 1. Pipiol Utd - 7; 2. Caledonia Reserves - 7; 3. Trincity Nationals - 3; Back Street 0
Round-of-32 playoff result:
Saturday:
San Juan Youths 6 (Brent Sam 3, J. Trimmingham, O. Jarvis, D. Banfield, S. Johnson) vs Nazarene 1 (K. Atherly)
Round-of-16 results:
Saturday:
Sam Boucaud 3 (Kerry Baptiste 2, Jean-Luc Rochford) vs Macoya 0
Sunday:
D 14 FC 4 (Stern John, Gary Glasgow, Darren Lewis, Terik John) vs Pacemakers 0
Pipiol 1 (Shaquille Long) vs Malick 1 (Jorvan Quamina) - Pipiol won on penalty-kicks
Monday:
Police 2 (Corey Rivers, S. Stoute) vs Hot Shots 1 (Jimmy Lucas)
Tuesday:
River Plate 10 (Akeil James 3, Donovan Derrick 2, Quincy Charles 2, Keon Cummings, Anthony Guppy, A. Danglade) vs San Juan San Juan 1 (Sheldon Thomas)
Remaining round-of-16 fixtures:
Today: Real Pipiol vs Caledonia Reserves, 4.15pm
Tomorrow: Front Line vs San Juan Youths, 4.15pm