Paradise, Kickstart advance to Round of 16

Paradise FC and Kickstart Rush booked their spots in the Round of 16 of the Prime Minister’s Cup on Monday night, delivering dominant performances before a packed crowd at Grantley Adams Memorial School in St Joseph.

Kickstart Rush overturned an early deficit to hammer FM Four Pillars 5-2 in the opening game, while Paradise also impressed to keep their title hopes alive in the race for the tournament’s $100 000 grand prize.

The atmosphere was electric as fans packed the venue for the thrilling double-header. Four Pillars struck first through Reshawn Payne in just the third minute, but Kickstart stormed back with a relentless attacking display spearheaded by defender and Man of the Match Jayden Goodridge.

Goodridge, the cousin of Barbados football legend Gregory Lalu Goodridge, sparked the comeback in the 32nd minute, heading home to level the momentum at 1-1. Four Pillars then unfortunately conceded an own goal through Kebra Bruce in the 49th to put Kickstart ahead but were able to even things up following a penalty conversion from Ashaun Grecia in the 57th to make it 2-2.

From there, Kickstart took full control of the match. Kamari Johnson extended the lead in the 64th minute, Diquan Adamson added a fourth in the 71st, and Jamarco Johnson completed the rout from the penalty spot in the 86th minute to seal a comfortable 5-2 victory.

In the feature match of the evening, Paradise Football Club, starring senior national player Sheran Hoyte, continued their impressive form with a clinical 2-0 win over Empire Club.

Hoyte, who was later named the Body Bliss Zone Man of the Match, scored both goals for Paradise, first in the 15th minute after latching onto a well-timed chip from captain Jomo Harris, and again in the 44th minute following a defensive blunder between Empire’s Davian Hawkesworth and goalkeeper Akiel Seifert. Hoyte should have had a hat-trick to his name but a miscommunication between him and Reymar Walters resulted in the biggest missed goal of the tournament, denying him that chance.

Despite a few missed opportunities, Paradise displayed composure and control, shutting down Empire’s attack and maintaining their perfect record in Group D. The victory ensured that the Christ Church-based club advanced to the knockout stage, alongside Kickstart Rush, which finished second in the group.

It was the result that Paradise coach Mario Harte as well as Renaldo Gilkes (Kickstart), two former Barbados players, would have required from their charges coming out of their second match of the Prime Minister’s Cup. (AS)