Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme (BDFSP) already have one hand on what could be their fifth Premier League title and a win against Weymouth Wales tomorrow will definitely earn them the silverware.
The BDFSP were able to put themselves three points clear of the pack after they trounced Direct TV Paradise 4-0 last night at the Wildey, St Michael AstroTurf when action continued in the Digicel-sponsored Barbados Football Association Premier League. The 2015 Banks Knockout kings won in 2013 and 2014 and will be going after the hat-trick victory tomorrow night.
Before yesterday’s game the BDFSP were jointly tied on 32 points with second place Rendezvous, so a win against Paradise was a must and the Defence Force men struck early through striker Kyle Gibson. He muscled his way through Paradise’s defence and scored in the 24th minute past custodian Jason Boxill.
Ackeel Applewaite of Paradise managed to play the ball between Kyle Gibson and Akeene Browne of BDFSP.
A couple minutes later a cross was taken from the left by BDFSP, landed on a Paradise player and went into the nets to give their opponents a 2-0 lead in the 32nd minute.
Paradise did have their moments to respond with striker Jabarry Chandler who when in possession tried to hit the target but missed and on occasions was denied by BDFSP’s defensive trio of Ricardo Morris, Akeene Browne and Kemar Chase.
Gibson was on top of his game last night and captured his second goal in the 47th minute when he outpaced Paradise defender Andre Bourne and proceeded to chip the ball over the head of keeper Boxill and scored. BDFSP captain Romario Harewood who has been in great form this season scored his 12th goal for the league season when the ball was played to him and he nailed it past Boxill. The soldiers have so far played 17 matches with 11 wins, two draws and four defeats and a goal difference of 32.
In the second game played yesterday evening, Wales did well to come from behind and draw against University of the West Indies (UWI) Blackbirds 2-2. Impressive national striker Mario Harte gave UWI a 1-0 lead when fellow striker Jomo Harewood played the ball through the middle and Harte finished with a simple tap past Wales’ goalkeeper Bentley Springer. It was goal number two in the 27th minute when Harte struck again with a right foot volley that comprehensively beat Springer.
UWI striker Mario Harte clears the ball away from Wales defender Jamar Walters
UWI put themselves in a good position leading into the second half or so they thought as Wales came out with great determination.
Hadan Holligan dribbled his way past UWI defender Ramon Manning and custodian Tazieo James left his mark and allowed Holligan to pull one back in the 63rd minute for Wales. Soon after Kemar Headley who usually works well along with Holligan almost found the equalizer when he took a shot from the left but the ball went just wide of the goal bars.
Wales’ defender Jadai Clarke was substituted for striker Tristan Parris whose presence paid off in the end when he scored off a rebound which he buried in the 84th minute.
Both UWI and Wales had an opportunity to take the lead if BDFSP had lost to Paradise but a draw did neither side any good as both teams who were on 30 points leading into the game are now on 31 and will need to win their next two games if they want to have a shot at the title. They would have to hope the BDFSP lose tomorrow’s encounter against Wales that starts at 6 p.m. at the AstroTurf where Rendezvous will also be in action against UWI.
(Photographs by Morissa Lindsay)