Grigamandala and Yabra face off in football
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and welcome to another serving of Sports Monday. It was billed as a biggie and indeed the Yabra Culture/Grigamandala clash at the M.C.C. Grounds Sunday almost surpassed expectations.
Dangriga came to play a star strudded team hungry for a “W” and it’s Yabra with the early attack, only David McCauley totally misfires off the breakaway. Yabra stays on the offense with a lowdown power smash from Norman “Tilliman” Nuñez but the ball sails just wide.
David Rodriguez then centers to David McCauley who juggles for a shot that misses the target. Grigamandala’s first shot at goal comes off an individual effort from number eight but it’s not an accurate launch. Tilliman Nuñez almost busts out of his scoring drought with this move but this ball crashes against the V. Off a cornerkick Griga launches an aerial attack but fails to impress the scoreboard.
Meanwhile folks, we’re not certain of the passer’s intention but Nolberto receives and scores to give Grigamandala a one-zip lead some forty-three minutes in. Talk about quick response people it’s less than a minute later when Tilliman slices to “Manu” McCauley and we’ve got a tied ballgame at intermission.
Even the intermission show was of a highly competitive affair as the field featured tumbling and a cultural dance display by Yabra Culture Football Club.
But it’s back to the ball game and Esteban Hall almost sneaks one past Stanley Reneau who recovers nicely. Dangriga answers immediately when a player penetrates and dishes to Nolberto who grabs his second of the match to give his team a two-one lead. Hey Mr. Referee please protect the keeper but no foul, no whistle, no goal, no problem.
Off a throw in, Emory Nuñez fires at Reneau who pushes the ball out to the right at Esteban Hall whose put back ties the ball game at two a piece. Now here comes the call of the game. Norman Tilliman in a struggle for possession, hits the greens. The referee rules penalty and it’s a weak call to decide such a competitive ball game. Of course Esteban Hall makes no mistake as Yabra goes up three-two. Dangriga picks up the pressure looking for the equalizer and an outside shot has the placement but not the power to beat Willie Bo.
In the closing moments Grigamandala mounts a desperation drive but the Yabra defense comes up with two big time stops to preserve the three-two victory for the city and we say congratulations. It was a well played, very competitive, very entertaining ballgame and both teams impressed the fans.
In other football news from Sunday Juventus and Sagitun rallied to a two-two draw at Orange Walk, La Victoria held the Dolphins to a one-one tie out at San Pedro, Real Verdes smashes Acros Bombers four-zip at Cayo while at capital city the Belmopan Bandits and Ambergris Turquoise were suited up and ready to go only the game officials pulled a no show… no good.
Turning to cycling news, here are the results of the test races for the Uruguay B Class World Championship who should be leaving early next month.
On Saturday Ernest Meighan beat out Quinton Hamilton, Russel Domingo, Elbert Pope and Mateo Cruz in that order, while Shane Vasquez took Sunday’s eighty mile ride in the Stann Creek hills beating out Mateo Cruz, Quinton Hamilton, Elbert Pope and Ariel Rosado. If you’re wondering about Ernest Meighan, well he didn’t finish.
Folks, forty percent of the points needed will come from these test races and sixty percent will come from points already amassed by the cyclists going into this event. So you’ll have to tune into the Cycling Association to find out who’s on top and who’s going where.
That’s it. We wanna thank you for joining us. We invite you back same time next week, same place. Jah over all. I’m James Adderley.
