Brittons Hill top after goalless draw

Brittons Hill remained in control of the Barbados Football Association Premier League standings after sharing a point with Pride of Gall Hill, in a goalless stalemate on Thursday at Ellerton Playing Field.

Entering the game jointly tied on nine points with defending champions Ensure Max Protein Weymouth Wales, the draw against Gall Hill at the St George venue moved Brittons Hill, coached by Richard ‘Juggy’ Forde, one point (10) clear at the top of the standings.

Contesting the opening match of the night, Brittons Hill dominated the offensive third for the majority of the first half, as both teams came into the match with different agendas.

For Brittons Hill, the aim was to maintain and build on the lead, while for Gall Hill, victory meant reclaiming the lead for a second time this season.
Guilty of being dispossessed too easily in the midfield, Gall Hill also suffered from the fact that they could only field a few of their strongest players – largely due to injury – including main strikers Shakarie Mottley and Joshua Cummins.

Injuries have been a reality facing some teams, leading to the unavailability of players. Working with what they had, Gall Hill stood firm defensively, with goalkeeper Justin Neil playing a key role in nullifying the Brittons Hill attack.

There were a few chances created but none were converted as the opening half ended goalless.
Both teams, playing their fifth game of the season, badly wanted the three points but a strong attacking game in the second half would have been needed.

Defensively, Gall Hill were put under pressure from early, and Brittons Hill enjoyed sprinting down hill, providing them with chances to attack more feverishly in search of a goal.

Brittons Hill made two substitutions, with striker Shaquille Boyce and midfielder Ray Snagg coming off the bench in search of goal.

Continuing to enjoy possession, Brittons Hill came close through defensive midfielder Eric Pickerin, whose left-footed drive went wide of the near post after producing some skill to dribble through the channel.

Desperately in need of a goal, Brittons Hill brought on veteran Arantees Lawrence in an attempt to make the difference late in the second half but that proved in vain, as no late goal materialised.

The second match also ended in a nil-all draw as neither Paradise Club nor opponent Wotton managed to get in the scoresheet.
(AS)