Former three-time kings Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme continued to take charge of zone two with yet another comfortable victory last night, this time 2-0 over University of the West Indies Blackbirds in the Barbados Football Association's Premier League.
The soldiers attacked with two early goals in the opening half when the league continued at the BFA's Wildey, St Michael AstroTurf. UWI never looked settled and BDFSP took advantage breaking down their defence barriers and grabbing hold of any opportunity that presented itself.
The rain certainly did play its part, but the diminutive Omani Leacock did not fail to score under wet conditions for BDFSP. That goal resulted from a combination of two right flank passes that found striker Leacock for the finishing touch in the 14th minute from the six-yard box.
Coach Asquith Howell was clearly pleased with those delightful passes and it did not take long for his men to secure goal number two as UWI's defensive third was found napping yet again and allowed an unmarked T-Shane Lorde to hammer home a shot from inside the 18-yard box.
University's defence led by the experience Tito Beckles was all over the place and just couldn't control the set plays by the BDFSP. They did not only struggle on defence but also found the going tough on offence even with their ace marksman Mario Harte giving it his all upfront.
Harte kept national defenders Shane Codrington and Ranaldo Bailey busy and even at times came up against national attacking midfielder Rashad Jules in what was an exciting battle between the two former teammates when Harte previously captained BDFSP and the senior national team.
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UWI Blackbirds captain Mario Harte looks to get past BDFSP’s attacking midfielder Rashad Jules while referee assistant Kevin Barton looks on. (Pictures by Morissa Lindsay).[/caption]
UWI had a golden opportunity to pull one back a minute to go before halftime when a short corner taken by the Cave Hill men, found the forehead of Harte but the effort went just wide of the goal bars to disappointed sounds of anguish from the men in yellow and black.
On resumption of play in the second period, UWI did manage to settle themselves and play a lot better, showing BDFSP that they too could pass while the defence looked ten-times better than it had done in the first half.
Both sides played a more defensive game with BDFSP protecting their earlier investments while UWI worked hard to ensure they did not afford BDFSP anymore range to shoot, and they worked doubly hard to score but sadly, Harte and Jamario Worrell just could not get past BDFSP's fortress-like defence which is undoubtedly the best on paper in this competition.
After the 90th minute of playing time had expired at the sound of referee Andrew Herbert's whistle, BDFSP walked away with three match-winning points and earned a total of BDS$500. They lead zone two on 24 points.
UWI currently trail in second position on 12 points, Crane and Equipment Ellerton Football Club are on ten in third place and Porey Springs have a total of six so far for fourth. Currently facing relegation are Waterford Compton on three and Rendezvous on two.
Mother's Day was celebrated across the world yesterday and Antone Greaves' mother must be a proud woman after her son scored a lovely brace as Clayton's Kola Tonic Notre Dame comfortably disposed of Abrahams United Silver Sands 3-1 during the nightcap encounter.
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Antone Greaves (with ball) scored two goals for Notre Dame.[/caption]
Notre Dame midfielder Azarel Croney struck a goal in the 16th minute and after Cameron Lewis equalized on the stroke of half-time for Silver Sands in the 45th minute, Greaves was forced into action when the second half began. The talented striker showed his skills with two impressive goals in the 52nd and 72nd minutes respectively to ensure his team came out on top in the Christ Church derby.
Meanwhile, in the opening showdown, Ellerton made light work of Home Improvement Compton 3-0 compliments a brace from Shaine Hermas in the 54th and 80th minutes along with a goal from Rosean Brathwaite in the 76th.
As it stands, Notre Dame are in second position on 18 points in zone one behind table leaders and defending champions Weymouth Wales who are ahead on 25 points. Brittons Hill have 15 points and are in third place, Empire are beginning to show some fight as they are now tied on 13 points along with Paradise while Silver Sands remain in sixth on a mere eight points.
morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb
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