The RYGO League ~ theRYGOchannel

THE RYGO LEAGUE

After the opening Match-Day, the table takes a shape that reveals the high level of quality on each squad. With the title and cash prize still up for grabs, this coming match-day is crucial for every team to stake a strong claim to make it theirs.

EARLY KICK-OFF

Clash in the air as the keeper comes for the ball. Ginga F.C 0-1 Frankensteins

Last weekend we kicked-off the league with the two opening games which were battled out by Ginga F.C v Frankensteins and Ambition v Gooners. Both Ginga and Frankensteins have showed in previous tournaments that they can be considered heavy weights, with Frankensteins actually winning the Turf Warz Tournament earlier this year. Ginga was lead by the midfield dynamo Ryan Forde in the absence of their captain, as the largely experienced and highly reputable Tito Grazette walked the Reds out for a promising clash. It was a tough game for both teams, with both squandering good chances to pull ahead during the game, but a last minute goal by Frankensteins sealed a 1-0 victory for Grazette's side over the Brazilian ballers, snatching the valuable three points from Ginga F.C at the very death. Perhaps Ginga were in need of the inspirational Luke St.John?

STARTING LINE UP:

GINGA F.C FRANKENSTEINS

Ryan Forde (C) Tito Grazette (C)

Ross Farley Josh Plaza

Jerome Walker Patrice "Patzini" Marshall

Chris Austin Ashikio Graham

Neil Forde Renaldo Waithe

Zico Callender Jesse Turton

SUBSTITUTES SUBSTITUTES

Rashad Babb Kevin Hughes

Shawn King Jason Holder

Desend White Brad tehall

Holder-Price gets stuck in as the Gooners win 3-2 against an unfortunate Ambition.

Over on Field B, we had a challenging match between Ambition and the Gooners. Ambition, lead by captain Stuart Weekes, a player to watch for his cool demeanor and ability to slice a defence open with his accurate passing abilities, were always going to be in for a tough game against a strong Gooners side. Carlos Brathwaite, goalkeeper and captain produced some fine saves in the opening minutes of the game. However, both teams managed to score two to have the game poised at 2-2, with Inches from the Gooners scoring a fantastic volley matching it with a first class celebration... Yes, a front flip that Nani would be envious of. Brett Carrington however managed to smash the ball off the post for Ambition, but they just couldn't edge ahead of a resistant Gooners. In the end, after the entire Ambition side putting in a solid performance in gruelling conditions, the Gooners came out victorious with a 3-2 win.

STARTING LINE UP:

AMBITION FRANKENSTEINS

Stuart Weekes (C) Carlos Brathwaite

Chris Date Jon-Paul Holder-Price

Brett Carrington Ricardo Spencer

Drew Plant Taurean Hall

Andrew Smith Shaquille Griffith

Mario Marshall Brenton Stewart

Jordan Fakoory Christopher Bostic

SUBSTITUTES SUBSTITUTES

James Hynam Dequan Carmichael

Charles Beuzelin

LATER KICK-OFF

Star Boy Kyle Smith skips pass a strong challenge by Myles Norville. Tridents went on to win on penalties.

The second round of games on Match-Day 1 were played by Direct v Tridents and Footy Boyz F.C v Apropos Sporting Club. Direct fielded a strong squad of young gifted players, with captain Trent Norville and his younger brother Myles Norville, who has definitely developed into a strong player leading the lines next to Joe Tingey. This younger squad had to face a more seasoned side in Tridents, lead by captain Tareq Branch. Direct were just that, direct when it comes to playing football, taking the game to the Tridents, but the well experienced side coped well and pushed on with their assault, resulting in a rather exciting game to watch, ending 2-2 at full time. As we know, no games draw in The RYGO League, so we saw the first penalty shootout. With five penalties each to be taken by both sides, Tridents marched away with a 4-3 win. A notable miss was by the UWI and Barbados player Kyle Smith, who's ball must now be arriving next to Sergio Ramos' in far orbit.

STARTING LINE UP:

DIRECT TRIDENTS

Trent Norville (C) Kyle Smith (C)

Myles Norville Kadeem Legall

Renaldo Bignall Ian Clarke

Joe Tingey Caleb Morgan

Jomo Savoury Ramar Miller

Junior Knight Damien Harrison

Mark Williams Paul Lucas

SUBSTITUTES SUBSTITUES

Akeem Pitcairn Tareq Branch

Christopher Greenidge

Jay Worme in control. Apropos Sporting Club went on to win 5-2.

Footy Boyz F.C v Apropos Sporting Club was synonymously taking place on Field B, and again, there was no shortage of excitement and absolutely no time to settle for Footy Boyz, as ASC struck early on, rattling the Boyz. ASC, played some quick tempo, bone crunching football - winning every tackle and scoring fluently in the opening minutes of the game, taking it to 2-0 just after kick-off. Daniel Rowe's team tried to steady the ship, bringing it back to 2-1with a finely taken goal. This was followed by some promising play from Nick Worme and Shaquille Layne but they still couldn't get the Boyz back onto level scores. The Ras-tacklers, or Apropos Sporting Club as they are formally known, continued to pull away, scoring rather simple goals caused by a leaky defence. A brave fight by Kenray Browne, Justine Browne and Jay Worme were not enough to conquer the game. The final score was 5-2 to ASC, as Footy Boyz were left to lick their wounds and refine their game plan for their next match.

STARTING LINE UP:

Footy Boyz F.C Apropos Sporting Club

Daniel Rowe (C) Rico Baptiste(C)

Justin Browne Kevin Moore

Nicholas Worme Steve Browne

Ahmed Lashley Shane Forde

Jason Worme Donnald Johnson

Shaquille Layne Shane Ward

Kurtley Clarke Richard Jones

SUBSTITUTES SUBSTITUES

Kenray Browne Tramel Norgrove

Sylvan Parris

Renaldo Parris

SECOND ROUND

The driving force of Ginga F.C's Ross Farley. Ginga 3-0 Gooners

After everyone had played their first match, the second round of games began. Gooners took on Ginga F.C, and with the return of the enigmatic Luke "Skywalker" St. John, Ginga were able to samba their way to a comprehensive 3-0 win, displaying great team chemistry and flair - presumable taking inspiration from their Brazilian team name. Every player on Ginga put in a great shift, with slick dribbles from Chris Austin and steel defending by Ross Farley. The Gooners unfortunately didn't have the game go their way and were out of luck in this match. Holder-Price, who had a good game, still couldn't drag his team back level, as Christopher Bostic, Tarean Hall and Dequan Carmichael were left to rue their teams chances after glimpses of hope. However, with the squad that the Gooners obtain, it would be unthinkable that this defeat could put a dent in their title hopes as there is still plenty football to be played in the coming weeks. Overall it was a massive game for both teams, and Ginga managed to take the coveted three points to begin their climb to the top of the table. The going doesn't get any easier for either team from here on, as Ginga have a difficult game against an undefeated Tridents team and the Ras-tackling Apropos Sporting Club. The Gooners need to maintain their form and get back to winning ways as they take on the same opponents, making this weekend a highly important for all four teams involved as they all need to keep the pressure on at the top of the table.

Good passing game by the Frankensteins who went on to win 3-2 after a good effort from the ambitious Blues.

Ambition were back at it again, trying to put thigns right after their first defeat against a Frankenstein team that is definitely one who is already being touted for the title. The ambitious squad showed no fear, and again, played some good football, with Charles Beuzelin running rampant, covering a lot of ground for his team. A gritty shift was also put in by Jordan Fakoory and Josh Hynam as Ambtion began to gel and find a rhythm against the ferocious Frankenstein Reds, unfortuantely there was limited service for the vertically endowed Chris Date, who could really have put his height and heading ability to work. Despite another good performance, Ambition were again without lady luck and suffered a second consecutive defeat by the enigmatic Frankensteins. Kevin Hughes came into his high flying Reds squad and slotted in perfectly with his team, who was lead by another great performance by captain Tito Grazette. The match was another good watch for the neutrals, where 5 goals in total were scored - with Frankensteins winning 3-2 - leaving them undefeated and putting them in the driving seat at the top of the table with 6 points. Ambition has it all to do this weekend against Direct and a massive game against rivals Footy Boyz F.C.

Tareq Branch feels the force of a crunching challenge from the Ras-tacking Apropos Sporting Club. Branch's Tridents went on to win on penalties, remaining undefeated on 4 points.

For the final two games, Apropos Sporting Club v Tridents and Footy Boyz F.C v Direct, both games were filled with controversy and tension, with everyone wondering whether the referee would blow-off (that's what she said) the tie between ASC and Tridents, bringing it to a premature end. Despite this, both teams managed to score one goal a piece and was subsequently left to be decided on penalties after a long halt and discussion about whether the ball crossed the line. Tridents went into their second penalty shootout for the day, continuing their streak to two wins on penalties - amassing a total of 4 points from the opening Match-Day and remaining the only other undefeated team in the tournament beside the table toppers Frankensteins.

Footy Boyz' very own, Shaquille Layne with a vicious strike against a solid Direct side. Footy Boyz 2-1 Direct.

Over on Field A, Captain Norville's Direct found it tough against Footy Boyz, who walked away with a 2-1 victory. Again, Direct put in a valiant effort against a strong Footy Boyz side who was left with a bitter taste in their mouth after a nasty 5-2 defeat by Apropos Sporting Club. With the Boyz gaining 3 points in their last game, the table took its final shape after a long day of football. Next weekend it's all to play for in The RYGO League.

Please arrive early Sunday 15th, so we can take squad photos!