Calliaqua, Central Kingstown trump as NCIL second round begins

GECCU Calliaqua and National Lotteries Authority Central Kingstown have jumped ahead in Group A and Group B respectively, as the second round of the men’s division of the Hairoun Beer Digicel National Inter-Community League football championships kicked off last Sunday evening at the Victoria Park.{{more}}

After a goalless first half, Calliaqua ran away, 4-1 winners over a depleted Georgetown.

Calliaqua’s tally saw two items registered by Leslo Mc Kenzie in the 74th and 89th minutes and one each from Keith James – a 65th minute penalty and Terrence Harry – in the 79th minute.

Georgetown’s goal was scored by Jamal Blake in the 69th minute from the penalty spot.

Georgetown had to play with 10 men for most of the second half, after Ivan Clarke was ejected after receiving two yellow cards from referee Kayonna Horne.

In the second encounter, two second half strikes by Damal Francis and Azhino Solomon saw Central Kingstown run away 2-0 winners over West Kingstown.

The win extended Central Kingstown’s unbeaten run to six, having won all five matches in the preliminary stage of the competition.

Apart from Central Kingstown and West Kingstown, Group B also contain South East, East Kingstown and Hairoun Beer South Leeward.

The other three teams making up Group A are defending champions – Bank of St Vincent and the Grenadines Barrouallie, Layou and Sion Hill.

Matches in the championships have however been put on hold because of the unavailability of the Victoria Park.

Four teams from each of the groupings will advance to the quarter-finals.

From the quarter-finals, the winners go forth to the semi-finals, which would be played in two legs.

Meanwhile, the organizing committee of the tournament has instituted match commissioners and referees assessors for the second round phase.

Teams scoring wins in this phase earn themselves $150. This adds to the $100 which was set aside for each win in the preliminary round. The ante goes up in the quarter-finals, as $200 is in the offing for a win and $250 for a triumph in the semi-finals.

The team winning the final pockets $10,000.(RT)