Football feast

Senior national midfielders Rashad Jules and Raheim Sargeant accounted for seven goals between them as Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme [BDFSP] destroyed Barbados Soccer Academy [BSA] 10-0 in the Barbados Football Association Premier League yesterday.

Premier League leaders Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme midfielder Rashad Jules (right) displaying great control en route to scoring a beaver-trick yesterday against Barbados Soccer Academy. (Pictures by Morissa Lindsay).

Former three-time league champions BDFSP have extended their overall tally to 41 points from 17 matches with 13 wins, having drawn and lost two each with a goal difference of 42, as they continue to dominate zone two and lead the overall standings.

The Asquith Howell-coached BDFSP squad dominated BSA for every minute of the opening game of the the evening’s tripleheader. Man-of-the-Match Sargeant scored the first three goals for the soldiers in the 11th, 22nd and 23rd minutes.

National captain and attacking midfielder Rashad Jules added four goals to his name with strikes in the 47th, 49th, 85th and 89th minutes.

Jules brought some unmatched speed to the proceedings that BSA’s defence was unable to keep up with as the talented left-sided dominant player made it look easy whenever the opponents afforded him enough room to drill the nets.

The other three contributors to the scoresheet for BDFSP were Jelani Keizer in the 35th minute, Rashad Smith struck another in the 45th and Rasheed Williams scored in the 78th for the men in green.

BSA were guilty of losing possession too easily and too frequently. But they were fortunate to be given a penalty kick opportunity in the final minute of extra time [93rd] which was taken by substitute Tre Cumberbatch.

However, Cumberbatch made a meal of that one chance when he stepped up to the 12-yard spot to challenge BDFSP and national number one goalkeeper Kishmar Primus who was unmoved as the inexperienced striker struck the ball over the goal post. That about summed up BSA’s evening of futility.

Out of the six teams that played yesterday, BDFSP were the only team to register a win and earn three-match winning points. The other two matches ended in draws.

In the second contest of the evening, Paradise Football Club [zone two] came from behind and held Brittons Hill United [zone one] to a controversial 2-2 draw in what was an out of zone clash.

The Dover, Christ Church-based Paradise side were the first to celebrate in the 14th minute when Elijah Downey positioned in the midfield played a delightful pass to teammate Tyrell Bancroft on the right-wing.

Running towards the Sargeant Village end, Bancroft tracked down the ball and squared to senior national striker Armando ‘Suga’ Lashley for a one-time finish.

Minutes later in the 27th minute, Brittons Hill equalized thanks to striker Zidkigah Samuel who capitalized on an error in judgement made by Paradise goalkeeper Jason Boxill.

(From left) Brittons Hill goal-scorer Zidkigah Samuel takes on Jomo Harris who scored a controversial last -minute equalizer for Paradise.

The scores were levelled 1-1 at half-time in what was a heated game that often needed the intervention of centre-referee Mathew Alleyne.

Former senior national player Carl Joseph gave Brittons Hill the 2-1 advantage in the 63rd minute. Then, exceptional goalkeeping from man-of-the-match Nashton Browne made it difficult for Paradise to pursue the equalizer.

The Kenville Layne-coached Paradise side did secure the equalizer but in the most controversial fashion. In the 90+2 minute Jomo Harris handled the ball which was apparently not noticed by the referee. Harris then proceeded to nail a right-foot volley from inside the 18-yard box.

That goal resulted from a free-kick taken in the final third by goalkeeper Jason Boxill with a well-flighted ball that stole Brittons Hill’s joy having played so well throughout the match.

Just before that goal was scored, Brittons Hill coach Wayne Williams was ejected from the match with a red card handed out by referee Alleyne.

In the nightcap showdown, University of the West Indies Blackbirds (zone one) came from behind to equalize against Empire  1-1 with a goal in the 70th-minute compliments national striker Mario Harte.

Empire (zone two) had taken the lead just before the first half ended in the 40th minute through Jabbary ‘Papi’ Chandler. But UWI in the second position on 26 points behind group one leaders and defending champion Weymouth Wales [32 points] held on for the draw.

Behind those two in third are Notre Dame Soccer Club on 21 points, Brittons Hill having accumulated 14 points are in fourth place while the bottom two teams of zone one, Porey Spring and BSA are on 12 and nine points in fifth and sixth place respectively.

Meanwhile, in zone two, BDFSP have a five-point lead [41] ahead of Empire Club on 36 points in second place, with Paradise two points behind on 34 are in third.

Those are the top three while Ellerton club are stationed in fourth place on 27 points, St. Andrew Lions with 26 points are in fifth and rounding out the zone in sixth are Youth Milan on nine points.

morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb