Three different players were on target as Guaya United made full use of home advantage to secure a come-from-behind 3-1 triumph over Bethel United in their opening match of the 2013 blink/bmobile National Super League Champions of Champions qualifying competition, yesterday.
After soaking up the early pressure, Vernon Wilson fired the visiting Bethel United, the Tobago Football Association champions, ahead in the 34th minute but three minutes later Carlon Hughes drew Guaya level to the delight of the home crowd at Guayaguayare Recreation Ground, Mayaro, for a 1-1 half-time score.
Former national youth team midfielder Ryan Stewart then fired the Eastern Counties Football Union champions ahead in the 68th minute before Kevin Jagdeosingh added a third item in the 79th to kill off any chance of a Bethel fightback while giving his team the early lead in the six-club table.
In the two late matches yesterday, Central Football Association league champion Enterprise Youths hosted Northern Football Association’s St Francois Nationals which was relegated from the Super League two seasons ago while Eastern Football Association’s Malabar FC entertained Southern Football Association winners Point Fortin Civic Centre.
Matches will continue on Sunday from 3.30 pm. At the end of the round-robin series, the top two teams will gain promotion to the 2013 Super League competition.
Yesterday’s Early Result'
Guaya United 3 (Carlon Hughes 37th, Ryan Stewart 68th, Kevin Jagdeosingh 79th) v Bethel United 1 (Vernon Wilson 34th)
Remaining fixtures
Sunday March 3
Bethel Utd vs St Francois Nationals, Plymouth Rec. Grd, 5 pm
Guaya Utd vs Pt Fortin CC, Guayaguayare Rec. Grd, 3.30 pm
Malabar FC vs Enterprise Youths, UTT Grd, O’Meara Rd, Arima, 6 pm
Sunday March 10
St Francois Nationals vs Pt Fortin CC, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Training Field, Mucurapo, 4 pm
Guaya Utd vs Malabar FC, Guayaguayare Rec. Grd, 3.30 pm
Bethel Utd vs Enterprise Youths, Plymouth Rec. Grd, 5 pm
Wednesday March 13:
Pt Fortin CC vs Bethel Utd, Mahaica Oval, Pt Fortin, 4 pm
Enterprise Youths vs Guaya Utd, Africa Grd, Enterprise, Chaguanas, 5 pm
Malabar vs St Francois Nationals, UTT Grd, O’Meara Rd, Arima, 6 pm
Sunday March 24
Pt Fortin CC vs Enterprise Youths, Mahaica Oval, Pt Fortin, 4 pm
St Francois Nationals vs Guaya Utd, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Training Field, Mucurapo, 4 pm
Bethel Utd vs Malabar FC, Plymouth Rec. Ground, 4 pm