Wales and Paradise still tied at top

Premiere Classe Paradise and Weymouth Wales continue to jostle for the top spot as both recorded wins to move to the top of the standings of the Coca-Cola Premier League, which continued last night at the AstroTurf.
All eyes were on the Kenville Layne coached Paradise side which was jointly tied on seven points with Wales before they took to the field against Crane and Equipment Ellerton Football Club.
The Dover based unit registered a 2-0 victory against Ellerton thanks to strikes from senior national striker Armando ‘Suga’ Lashley and Jabarry ‘Papi’ Chandler.
Lashley, wearing the captain’s armband, opened Paradise’s account in the 15th minute with a delightful lob over the head of Ellerton’s goalkeeper Jamar Brewster after receiving a leading ball from Trinidadian midfielder Shackiel Henry.

Premiere Classe Paradise (in blue) scored their second goal as Crane and Equipment goalkeeper Jamar Brewster was left dead in his tracks as the ball scored past him. (Pictures by Morissa Lindsay).

It was his fourth goal of the season.
The St. George based Ellerton unit led by captain and attacking midfielder Shakille Belle tried earnestly to respond to that opener.
Ellerton, the 2019 runners-up of the Capelli Sport Super Cup, was gifted several free-kicks but failed to capitalise.
One such instance was during the final minute of the first half when Belle’s 20-yard free-kick hit the crossbar.
Throughout the contest referee Matthew Alleyne and his whistle were kept busy as a number of fouls occurred.
Paradise, opting to rest Trinidadian defender Dwight Pope and national midfielder Jomo Harris in favour of Barry Skeete and Nicoli Brathwaite respectively, continued their momentum with their second goal coming from the boots of Chandler in the 59th minute.
Chandler, a prolific goal scorer, ensured he put the final touches on an Ackeel Applewhaite free-kick that Ellerton’s entire defence and their keeper Brewster was unable to keep out.
Currently, in 10th position, Ellerton has failed to register a win from three matches, having drawn their previous two matches against the Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme and Brittons Hill.

Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme striker Nicolas Best (center) advances forward but St. Andrew Lions defenders were equal to the task as center referee Andrew ‘Crab’ Herbert kept close watch.

Weymouth Wales registered a comfortable 5-0 victory against the newly promoted Deacons Club during the nightcap encounter to also join Paradise on 10 points.
Romario Harewood, one of the most exciting midfielders in Barbados unleashed a vicious right-footed scorcher that was buried into the right far post past Deacons’ goalkeeper Kevon Allsop.
That goal, which came early in the seventh minute, was a sign of things to come. Goal number two was registered moments later in the 24th following a combination of passes inside the area that initially began with debutant Sherian Hoyte and ended withRay Snagg burying the ball in the back of the net.
Not even the heavy downpour of rain spared Deacons from the beating meted out by the former league champions.
The other goal scorers were Ramar Millar (67th) and substitute Tyrell Demondunca accounted for a brace in the 77th and 91st minutes after replacing former national player Walton Burrowes in the 60th minute.
After last night’s matches, Paradise and Wales have both contested four games and are still tied on 10 points with a goal difference of seven each.
Reigning champions, BDFSP moved into third position on six points from four games after a goalless draw against Scotty Car Rentals St. Andrew Lions in the opening match.
It was an uneventful first half between the two sides, as opportunities were created but attempts on both sides of the field proved futile.
To avoid their third draw for the season BDFSP needed to score against Lions in the second half, but exceptional defensive work by both teams ensured the match ended in a stalemate.

morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb