Wales, Notre Dame reach PM’s Cup quarterfinals

Weymouth Wales and Notre Dame are the latest teams to punch their ticket in the quarterfinals of the Prime Minister’s Cup following Wednesday evening’s Round of 16 double-header at Gall Hill, St John.

The action-packed night provided all the thrills under the chilly skies. It took only a deadly left-foot strike from outside the 18-yard box by Man of the Match and Body Bliss Zone Goal of the Match recipient Carl Joseph to send defending champions University of the West Indies (UWI) Blackbirds crashing out of the competition.

One of the best club teams in Barbados’ football, UWI Blackbirds, having topped Group E with seven points, qualified for the Round of 16 but struggled both in attack and defence. Their shortcomings allowed the underdogs Notre Dame, coached by former club player Giancarlo Cobham, to advance to the next stage.

With a new champion expected to lift the Prime Minister’s Cup on November 30 and pocket the $100 000 cash prize, all eyes were on the juggernauts of local football, Weymouth Wales, who played the featured match of the evening.

As expected, Wales easily roasted L&R United. Man of the Match and Barbados Senior National Captain André Applewaithe, playing at right-back, opened the scoring for Wales in the 12th minute. The goal came when Shaquille Stewart, with a delightful cutback inside the six-yard box, found defender Applewaithe for the opener.

From the start of referee Seth Thorne’s whistle, Wales were in total control. Striker Shaquille Stewart, along with attacking midfielders Ackeel Applewaithe, Romario Harewood in the central forward role, and Elijah Downey on the wing, caused endless problems for the L&R United defenders.

Wales’ long-standing captain Hadan Holligan orchestrated play through the midfield, constantly pushing forward and putting the L&R United backline, led by veteran Rico Brathwaite, captain Akeil Lorde, and Javon Young, under immense pressure.

Wales found their second goal through Applewaithe again in the 39th minute. Moments later, in the 43rd, Wales extended their lead to 3-0 when Stewart scored from an Applewaithe free kick just outside the 18-yard box that deceived L&R United goalkeeper Jaden Baird and his entire defence.

The onslaught continued as national striker Armando Lashley came on as a substitute and drilled a powerful shot into the back of the net in the 52nd minute. Also finding the scoresheet were Ackeel Applewaithe (56th), Rommell Bynoe (79th), and Romario Small (81st) to seal a commanding 7-0 win.

In upcoming Prime Minister’s Cup matches, Empowering One Community at a Time will host two fixtures at Friendship, Paradise vs Whitehall Titans at 6 p.m., followed by Bagatelle vs Ellerton at 8 p.m. (AS)