By Morissa Lindsay
The score lines were huge as the inaugural Barbados Football Association’s Republic Cup Men’s Competition which also coincides with the Women’s Super League, commenced yesterday at various venues across the island. The participating teams are contending for some sizeable cash prizes.
It is expected to be an entertaining couple weeks of football action particularly when it reaches the Championship round to be played at the BFA’s new Wildey Turf. The competing teams have been placed into zones of eight and will vie for supremacy in the 2022 Republic Cup tournament which is carrying a cash value of BDS$30, 000, while the Women’s Super League has a BDS$20, 000 tag.
The tournament is sponsored by Coca-Cola, Powerade, Dasani and Courts Ready Cash and Premier League giants Paradise Football Club and University of the West Indies (UWI) Blackbirds got their campaign off to an impressive start yesterday at Valery in Brittons Hill, St. Michael as they hammered their respective opponents.
Positioned in zone one of the tournament, Paradise trounced Barbados Fire Service 6-0 in the night cap match while The UWI in zone two defeated Hillaby Football Club 5-0 in another one- sided encounter.
Paradise captain and senior national striker Armando ‘Suga’ Lashley wasted no time finding the back of the nets within the first ten minutes of play. Without a doubt Paradise has quality and depth with the likes of former national captain Mario Harte scoring a brace in the 39th and 46th minute as well as Renaldo Trim with goals in the ninth and 65th minutes while Ackeel Applewhaite accounted for a goal in the 57th minute.
Paradise also have national players Jomo Harris (midfielder) and Ramon Manning (left-back) in their starting 11, along with the experienced Zico Phillips and Tito Beckles taking care of business as sweepers. The Dover, Christ Church-based side looked so confident on the ball and were able to pick out their chief marksman Lashley at will. He along with Harte and company commanded the scoring third. These major scores were not a surprise given that Hillaby FC and Barbados Fire Service are two third division teams that were battling against the two talented Premier League squads.
University of the West Indies Blackbirds dominated Hillaby FC in a game where Jeffrey King (left) scored a brace.
Hillaby were out of their league against The UWI who were under the guidance of coach and former outstanding national Ricardo Goddard. They took an early lead compliments Jadon McCollin with a beautiful volley as early as the fourth minute.
Hillaby’s defence worked hard at the back to secure possession but The UWI attackers still managed to find their way through as Jeffrey King ruled the free kick opportunities offered to the University men. King scored both of the chances he took in the 21st and 55th minutes while Kobe Griffith and substitute Rivaldo Massiah added a goal each in the 74th and 80th minute respectively.
Playing in wet slippery conditions, Hillaby goalkeeper Romario Carter did his best to get his body and gloves behind a number of balls but he needed more effort and protection from his defenders which hardly happened.
A number of teams have new faces in their setup and The UWI is no different as their squad had a crop of young players who were very tactical in their approach and were able to convert when opportunity presented itself. The likes of McCollin and Mikalai Dziazhko impressed for The UWI with their ability to create goal-scoring opportunities as they constantly kept Hillaby on their toes. Coach Goddard would have been pleased with his team effort especially in the latter stages of the match when a wonderful corner kick assist from Jaheim Neblett was well polished off by Massiah for a beautiful finish.
Also at the same venue, Fitts Village Football Club got their Women’s Super League campaign off to a good start with an easy 2-0 victory over RF Prime Football Academy. That was in fact the opening game of the day and Fitts Village were led on the sidelines by Mario Harte who is also head coach of the senior national women’s team. Both goals came in the first half thanks to Ketarrah Lowe-Millar in the second minute and captain Keinelle Johnson in the 24th.
Also in winners’ row were The UWI Blackbirds ladies team with a 7-1 victory against Pinelands yesterday at Bagatelle. Three players scored braces and they were senior national vice-captain Ashanee Thompson in the 43rd and 53rd minute, Shanice Stevenson, Barbados’ best midfielder in the 20th and 44th and Riana Cyrus another exceptional talent in the sixth and 35th, while Shonelle Als added a goal in the 47th minute. The lone scorer for Pinelands was Shaniqua Burnett in the 71st minute. morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb
