WILLIAMS Industries Avengers will oppose Monster All Stars, and YMCA will face Massy United Insurance Empire in the semi-finals of the Barbados Hockey Federation’s Outdoor Classifiers at the Wildey Hockey Centre, tomorrow for a place in Sunday’s final.
Narrowly missing out on semi-final qualification were Deacons and CSOS who finished fifth and sixth respectively after losing their final preliminary matches last Sunday.
YMCA dashed CSOS’ semi-final hopes with a 2-1 through two entertaining goals from former national striker Rohan “Teno” Thomas, who only took to the field in the second half.
Aaron Forde had given CSOS the lead in the 15th minute when he comfortably pushed past YMCA goalkeeper Victor Williams.
But Thomas scored a ripping forehand shot from the right baseline, beating CSOS’ goalie Theo Farley in the air to level the scores in the 43rd minute.
CSOS earned a penalty stroke in the 50th minute, but Shavon Goddard’s half-hearted attempt was saved by a diving Williams.
This proved to be a costly mistake as YMCA were awarded a penalty stroke six minutes later, that Thomas slotted past Farley.
Empire sealed their spot by trouncing the Barbados Defence Force 10-0.
After giving up two goals for a late start after the 10-minute grace period, the BDF conceded a further eight regulation goals.
Peter Alleyne netted a hat trick in the 21st, 30th and 46th minutes while Empire’s regular goalkeeper-turned-forward Keenan Knight showcased some outfield talent with goals in the 22nd, 27th and 55th minutes.
On target
Samson Romain (26th) and Jonne Waterman (50th) were also on target.
Avengers comfortably defeated Maple 3-1 to finish in the top spot.
After being penalised with a goal down for a late start, Maple could not stop Avengers’ James Gooding (10th) and Shaile Babb (13th) from quickly giving their team a healthy 3-0 cushion before veteran Venslough Leacock scored a consolation goal in the 40th minute for Maple.
In another key game, All Stars edged UWI Blackbirds 2-1 to squeeze into the semis.
All Stars’ national striker Barry Clarke weaved into the UWI defense to score his signature reverse stick shot in the 22nd minute, past UWI custodian Justin Taitt.
Two minutes later, Mario Moore surprisingly beat Taitt with a forehand strike in the 24th minute to make it 2-0 before
Blackbirds’ Jamal Graham netted his league-leading ninth goal in the 29th minute. (EZS/PR)
