Michael Waldron notched a second half double as Spain Slappers came from behind to whip MAASH Internationals 3-1 in a knockout fixture of the Eddie Hart Football League last week, while South Eastern Connections put in a grand display against Bon Air FC before bowing out in extra time 3-1 to the defending champions in a thriller at the same the venue.
In an action packed encounter before a decent audience, Connections matched the back-to-back champs all the way to conclude their season on a high note, despite ending as losers.
In a game that had the qualities of a final, JCharles opened the scoring for Bon Air in the 23rd minute, when he knocked in a right side cross following a series of passes. The goal seemed to give a resolute Connections squad the impetus as they took the game to their opponents and kept them busy in defence for the remainder of the first half.
Four minutes later, Anslem Jackson squared the game for South Eastern when he tapped in from close range, before Charles completed his double to give Bon Air a 2-1 advantage going into the break against the run of play.
On the resumption, Bon Air upped their game as both teams continued to launch attack after attack to the delight of the very interested crowd. And 19 minutes into the second period, Kwasie Luke leveled the game for Connections.
The remaining minutes of regulation time were of a high quality, with Bon Air using the short passes to good effect, while on the other side, Connections opted for the long ball as they hit their opponents on the counter.
There were no more goals in normal time and it was on to 20 minutes of extra-time to break the 2-2 deadlock. The period lived up to what went before but the first 10 minutes of extra
time ended with no change to the scoreline.
However, in the 93rd minute, Bon Air got the winner, when the tall figure of MBrooks placed his glancing header from a left side free-kick past Connections’ custodian to seal the deal and send the champs through to the next round. They are seeking a third consecutive title, but the losers should leave this campaign with their heads held high.
Elsewhere, Slappers led by strikers Waldron and Devon Modeste, aided by very poor goalkeeping from Barry Villarreal, put in a superb second half effort against a disjoined MAASH side to score on three occasions and seal a place in the quarter-finals.
Modeste scored the other item for Slappers as he and Waldron tormented a shaky MAASH defence for the whole of the second session. Mark Alliby opened the scored for MAASH, who led 1-0 at the break. They will now move on to prepare for the ’Big-Eight’’ playoffs.
Also advancing to the second round of the knockout are El Do Milan, Valtrin United and Arouca Hustlers. El Do Milan scored a 4-1 win over CAPS, whose ability to score goals plagued them for the entire season.
Newcomers Milan got two goals on either side of the encounter, via Jamal Goodrigde (two), Ricardo Alleyne and Ronaldo Peters, to book their place in the next round. Kevon Edwards had the lone item for CAPS last Wednesday.
On Monday night, Valtrin United qualified for the next round with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Pacemakers in the second match of a doubleheader.
Aaron Campbell broke the ice for Valtrin, while Dwight Crichlow netted the winner with one of his trademark efforts, outrunning the Pacemakers defenders down the right side before placing his shot past the keeper.
In the night’s opener, St John United shut out RSSR 3-0 to book their place in the second round. Kasim Danjinmah collected a double in the win, while Steffon Peters supplied the other effort.