Weymouth Wales hold top spot, Brittons Hill second in BFA Premier League

Weymouth Wales continues to lead the Barbados Football Association(BFA) Premier League standings, but Brittons Hill, with a 4-1 win over Pride of Gall Hill, have surged into second position with a hat-trick from striker Corey Hoyte.

After three thrilling games on Saturday at the BFA home base at the Technical Centre in Wildey, the University of the West Indies Blackbirds handed Wales their first draw of the league season with a 1-1 draw. With 40 points and 13 wins and 0 defeats from 14 games, the Carrington Village men continue to dominate the league rankings.

The match between Wales and UWI teams was as competitive as expected, with Wales generating a lot of pressure in the third and drawing first blood in the 52nd. The UWI team, who are equally talented, fought back and equalised in the 72nd minute thanks to the brilliant play of attacking midfielder Shamari Harewood.

For Brittons Hill, Hoyte’s goals in the 16th, 30th, and 62nd minutes and another by Tavian Eastmond (49th) against Gall Hill put them ahead on 27 points while UWI are in third place with 25 points, as the bid to finish runners-up this season continues.

At 4 p.m., the Brittons Hill team dominated the last third with clinical passes over the top, forcing Gall Hill to constantly defend. Justin Neil, the goalie for Gall Hill, was continually tested and did his best to thwart several chances for goals.

Hoyte scored in the sixteenth minute while continuing to run at the Gall Hill defence, connecting well with a cross for the finish inside the 18-yard box. Hoyte earned his second goal in the 30th minute of the game after persistent probing. This time, Gall Hill custodian Neil had no chance.

As the match continued, a square ball to Gall Hill attacking midfielder Shavonne Jones, racing down the right wing, went hurtling over the top cross bar as Gall Hill came out in the second half, creating an early scoring opportunity. Jones ought to have passed the ball to any of his teammates in the middle but instead went for glory.

Barry Taylor, the coach of Gall Hill, was undoubtedly unhappy with that play. In the 49th minute, a square ball found Eastmond for the finish, giving Brittons Hill a 3-0 lead. Before being replaced, Hoyte added to the score in the 62nd minute as the attacking soldiers from Brittons Hill established an unrivalled scoring rhythm.

Gall Hill had a few decent moments after making a few substitutions in an attempt to score, with Jones and substitute Shakarie Mottley hitting the crossbar or barely wide. Shaquille Frank, the goalkeeper for Brittons Hill, had a few nice saves earlier in the game but was unable to stop Joshua Cummins’ great finish in the 84th minute, which ultimately led Gall Hill to a goal.

With 23 points, Ellerton is in fourth place, slightly ahead of Paradise, who is in fifth place with 19 points. Similar to UWI, Paradise desperately needed those three points, but after their 2-2 tie with Wotton, they were content with a point. (AS)