Back Circle, Tigerbay, Future Stars, ESPN into semis

Back Circle will battle Tigerbay, while Future Stars will oppose ESPN in the semifinal round, following quarter-final wins on Friday, in the 3rd Annual Xtra Beer ‘Ballers in the Summer’ Street Football Championship.

It was a night of upsets at the Pouderoyen Market Tarmac, as Linden champions Dave and Celina’s AllStars, West Demerara titlist Showstoppers and Lot20 were sent packing in contrasting manners.

Back Circle sent a stern warning to the remaining teams in the first quarter-final fixture, dismantling Dave and Celina’s All-Stars 2-0.

Jermaine Beckles opened the scoring in the seventh minute, cutting across the centre of the field to the left side, before lashing effort under the leg of the goalkeeper and into the right side.

Sylvester Richardson sealed the result in the 15th, thumping a powerful effort from the centre of the field, into the back of the net.

On the other hand, Tigerbay eliminated Showstoppers 1-0 in the final quarterfinal showdown. Godfrey Powers settled the contest in the 32nd minute of extra time, stabbing a right foot effort from the left side, into the lower right corner.

Meanwhile, rising force Future Stars defeated Tajoe’s Admiral United 2-0 on penalty kicks, after regulation and extra time had ended scoreless, in the third quarter-final matchup. On target in the penalty shoot-out were Kieron Solomon and Jamal Cozier.

Similarly, ESPN continued their giant killing ways, edging Lot-20 by a 2-0 scoreline in penalty kicks in the second final eight match. It was another dogged defensive performance from the newcomers, who constantly thwarted the advances of the formidable Lot-20 unit in the scoreless regulation and extra time periods.

On target from the halfway mark were Dwayne Lindie and Kevon Lythcott.