Belle’s stunning goal derails Paradise’s title hopes

Defending champions Weymouth Wales are now just one game away from retaining the Barbados Football Association’s Premier League title.

That’s because their nearest challengers Paradise were defeated 2-1 by Ellerton at the BFA Technical Centre last night, leaving them four points adrift of the leaders with two games remaining for both sides, in what has been the most intriguing battle for the title in several years.

Ahead of Tuesday’s nightcap game, Wales led the table on 37 points, with Paradise second on 33 but with a game in hand, while Ellerton were fifth on 28 points. 

With both teams in desperate need of a victory, unsurprisingly a cagey first half produced no goals.

That changed in the 51st minute however, as Ellerton striker Anson Barrow finished off a flowing counterattacking move by poking the ball past Paradise goalkeeper Jireh Malcolm at close range, to hand his side the lead.

Paradise struck back almost immediately in the 57th minute when Sheran Hoyte equalised from six yards out, beating two defenders to the ball after some good buildup play from skipper Jomo Harris to level the scores. 

But seven minutes later Ellerton skipper Shakille Belle put his side back ahead with one of the goals of the season. After receiving a long ball on the left hand side 30 yards from goal, Belle took a few touches before hammering a thunderous right foot shot into the far corner of the Paradise goal, much to the amazement of his teammates.

The result means victory for Wales against third placed Kickstart Rush on Sunday will be enough for the Carrington Village-based team to retain the title. Like Paradise, Kickstart also have 33 points and a win would see them enter their final match just one point adrift of the defending champions.

Speaking following last night’s clash, an elated Ellerton manager Corey Beenie Man Barrow said they came into the match expecting a high octane encounter.

“We were really mentally prepared knowing that in the first round we played a drawn game against Paradise. Also two of our former players are now playing for Paradise so that added a bit to the encounter.

“We were determined to play well although we knew it would not be easy. We needed the points to climb the ladder, but technically they needed the points even more than us,” Barrow said.

“We are no longer challenging for the title but we went into the game with a mindset that we are going to go hard and deny Paradise the three points.

Barrow highlighted the performance of Belle, who he said is a joy to watch and very dangerous, having shaken off a series of injuries.

“He’s young, but I say it was vintage Shakille Belle because you know Belle in previous years is a terror in the attack, and that goal? Oh my gosh, that was sublime. That was phenomenal, that was out of the top drawer. I think it’s actually the best goal of the season. The win was a very big boost to the team and we are now really looking forward to the knockout competition,” the manager added.

In last night’s opening game, Tyrese Crawford got the only goal of the matchup as Eyre’s Meatshop Pride of Gall Hill remained in seventh position in the league on 19 points after defeating Bagatelle 1-0.

League action resumes on Sunday at Wildey with two rescheduled games. In addition to the nightcap fixture between Wales and Kickstart Rush, Paradise oppose Brittons Hill, with the league’s top four teams set to be in action.

(KH)