The WestTel Arena at King’s Sports Centre was very jovial and relaxed last Wednesday evening as the newest five-a-side Football League kicked off.
The teams showed up early and stayed late to check out the newest competition while the fans trickled in and out throughout the night. Unlike prior seasons, that had sometimes uneasy starts, all of the athletes were in good spirits for the seventh consecutive opening night of WestTel five-a-side football.
The opening game featured two strong Division 2 competitors from last season. KPMG, sporting new team name the Cat-5 Hurricanes, were certainly a major force on the night against McAlpine United.
After taking an early lead, they never looked back as they took a 4-2 victory over a battered McAlpine. The KPMG goal scorers were Miguel Lopex, David Fernandes (2) and Tamuwana Mhlanga while McAlpine’s countered with Gordon McLaughlin and Kemar Sanderson.
The second game on the night saw the first clash between an old Division 1 team and one of the newer Division 2 sides. The match is the result of the new format to the WestTel five-a-side league this season.
A dominant and seasoned Burger King side thrashed a fun-spirited but inexperienced Ocean Frontiers squad by a whopping score of 17-2.
National team player and one of last year’s top goal scorers Rene Carter led the way with five goals. His play certainly has many feeling like he’ll be the man to stop yet again.
Player/manager Gary Rutty also had a big night with four scores. Three players would score two goals while goals from Thomas Wood and Freddy Ebanks would round out the scoring onslaught.
Brian Williamson and Mark Elliot were the saving grace for Ocean Frontiers as they nabbed goals.
After the game the Ocean Frontiers captains congratulated Rutty on the win and felt it was a fun game despite the score. They said the side had a good time and is looking forward to the next match.
Rutty said he had a game for the ages and jokes he is now in the running for the leading scorer title this season against three-time title holder Ben Marler.
PWC and Dart took the floor in the third contest of the night with a very close 4-3 game in favour of PWC. This match featured the second clash of the former divisional split.
PWC put up a solid victory against Dart with goals from many players. The goal scorers were James McLeod, Milivoj Djordjic, Richard Crozier and Richard Pooley for PWC. Meanwhile for Dart it was Philbert Ross (2) and Gary Smith.
King’s Sports Centre athletic director Ray Singh praised all of the teams and athletes for a solid start to the new season.
‘Everyone seemed very comfortable for opening night. It was nice to see the competitors joking with each other before and after the games. The referees did a great job and everyone had a really good time. I’m looking forward to a season full of nights like this.’
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