Defending champions Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme’s (BDFSP) 3-0 victory over Wotton Football Club yesterday has propelled them into the top three of the Coca Cola Premier League.
The Asquith Howell-coached BDFSP dominated proceedings throughout, even when Ja’Von Austin was red carded in the 71st minute.
The win launched them into second in the standings on 12 points behind table leaders Weymouth Wales who have 16 points.
Striker Nicholas Best buried two goals in the back of the net in the 19th and 36th minutes, while Stefon Elliott added another in the first minute of injury time to give the soldiers a comfortable win.
In the featured match of the night, Empire Club snatched a 2-1 win over Premiere Classe Paradise, compliments goals from Luciano Cigno and Jahiem Neblett.
Empire controlled much of the offence in the final third and continually pressured Paradise’s back four, which surprisingly did not feature senior national defender Zico Phillips.
Trinidad six-foot defender Dwight Pope and sweeper Tito Beckles along with Ramon Manning at right-back and Akeene Browne over on the left, had their work cut out all night.
With the opportunities the Empire side created for themselves it was only a matter of time before they broke the deadlock. And that they did when defender Pope, in an effort to get back unleashed a tackle on Empire’s Jahiem Neblett resulting in a penalty kick being awarded.
That decision by centre referee Edwin Adams was controversial as not only was more than one player involved, but the challenge appeared to have occurred just outside of the 18-yard box.
Cigno, Empire’s Argentine dangerman was tasked with the 12-yard spot kick and hammered home the goal past former Barbados goalkeeper Jason Boxill in the 42nd minute.
Jahiem Neblett then capitalised on a defensive blunder and scored in the 66th minute to give Empire a 2-0 lead.
Paradise pulled one back in the 78th minute when Demar Linton, sprinting on the right side, squared to the centre field where Shackiel Henry accounted for the final touch, scoring his third goal of the season in the process.
From there the play of the Dover based Paradise team improved significantly with their attacking play dominating most of the action in the latter stages of the encounter.
Things got tricky for Empire in the 84th minute as their captain Omar Primus was sent off for using a derogatory word towards a lineswoman.
Despite the loss, Paradise is currently tied on 11 points with Notre Dame Soccer Club for third position.
With the victory Empire wormed their way into fifth place on ten points.
In the other clash, Deacons trounced Crane and Equipment Ellerton 2-0 with goals from Keon Atkins and Shaquan Haynes in the 35th and 64th minutes respectively.
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