By Morissa Lindsay
VanPur Malt Wotton scored as early as the third minute and what seemed like the perfect start turned into disaster as they lost 4-1 to favourites Weymouth Wales last night in the Barbados Football Association (BFA) Premier League.
In what was the nightcap match played at the BFA AstroTurf in Wildey, Wotton opened their account with a well-placed goal from Antone Greaves against his former club Weymouth Wales. Taking possession of a ball played over the top, Greaves took care of business as a striker should.
Wales and their supporters in the stands were stunned briefly until Ackeel Applewhaite on debut responded with a solid strike off a Nadre Butcher assist in the 31st minute. It was a fantastic way for Applewhaite to announce his presence in the Wales setup after joining the Carrington Village base side on what is supposed to be a one year lease from Paradise Club.
With the game tied 1-1 in the early stage of the first half, Wales captained by Hadan Holligan began to look more assertive on the ball, occupying possession and put Wotton defence led by Barbados’ number one tennis player Darian King and Kelly Rampersaud under pressure.
Six minutes later in the 37th minute an unmarked Akeem Hill scored from close off a set piece that left Wotton backline and goalkeeper Liam Brathwaite in disbelief. Wales were now 2-1 going into halftime and they picked up from where they left off in the second stanza by adding two more goals.
Nadre Butcher added his name to the score sheet for Wales in the 66th minute with a fantastic shot just within the 18-yard box to the delight of his teammates who hovered around him to celebrate.
With a 3-1 lead, Wales coaching bench were not satisfied and they brought on former national player Arantees Lawrence who added another goal in the 90+2 minute of extra time with a beautiful header. Initially, Wales won themselves a penalty kick awarded by referee Adrian Goddard for a foul committed on Andre Applewhaite.
Former national player Romario Harewood, one of the most skillful players in this country stepped up to take the penalty kick which on execution was superbly parried away by Wotton’s number one Brathwaite.
However, failure by Brathwaite to secure possession of the ball in his glove resulted in Wales through Lawrence being able find the back of the nets and secured a 4-1 victory to remain undefeated after a comfortable 3-1 showing against Deacons at the start of the season last week Sunday.
In the second matchup, Dover Market/Nicholls Bakery Paradise Club who opened their Premier League season last week Thursday night with a hard fought 3-2 win over University of the West Indies (UWI) Blackbirds but had to settle for a 1-1 draw yesterday against Notre Dame.
Three of Paradise starters that played against UWI – Zico Phillips, Garnett Diaz and Renaldo Trim – were out injured last night against Notre Dame who took the 1-0 advantage in the 74th minute after both teams were unable to register a goal in the first half.
Notre Dame attacker Kevon Lucas scored the opener and just when Paradise seemed to be facing defeat in the face, two minutes into extra time, Tyrel Rayside- Demendonca found the equaliser in the 90+3 minute for the Dover based side. Rayside- Demendonca transferred from Wales to Paradise this season and appears to be gelling so far with the team.
This is now Notre Dame second draw for the season as they also were held to a 1-1 scoreline against Ellerton in their first match of the season.
Meanwhile, Empire pulled off a hard fought 3-2 win over St. Andrew Lions in the first encounter of the day. Interestingly, all five goals of the match were scored during an entertaining first half.
St. Andrew had an early advantage in the second minute of the game thanks to Jomo Harewood and teammate Darico King with another in the 42nd. However, it was Empire striker Zinio Harris that spoiled the party for them.
Harris registered a brace in the 17th and 22nd minute respectively and Ormando McLeod scored in the 30th minute which was good enough for the Mighty Blues to come out on top.
It was also a good way for Coach Fitzgerald Carter and his team to bounce back after Empire lost 1-0 to Brittons Hills in the opening match last Sunday.
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