Defending champions Wales advance, Ellerton exit

One contender advanced in convincing fashion, while another made an earlier than expected exit, as Round of 16 action in the Barbados Football Association’s Champions Cup continued at the Technical Centre in Wildey on Sunday.

Defending champions Weymouth Wales rediscovered some of the goal scoring form they found elusive during the Premier League season, with a 5-0 drubbing of Parish Land, who came into the game in second position in Division One.

Playing in the nightcap game of a triple header, Wales took the lead in the 20th minute via Hayden Holligan. The goal came after Parish Land had squandered an early chance, having begun the game well.

They went 2-0 down in unfortunate fashion in the 36th minute, when an  attempted defensive clearance deflected off Wales midfielder Jaheim Neblett and back into their goal.

Substitute Armando Lashley then continued his good form to make it 3-0 to Wales in the 59th minute and with Parish Land on the ropes, the defending champions added further gloss to a classy performance, with goals from Rommel Bynoe in the 62nd minute and Rashad Jules in the 80th.

Wales coach Asquith Howell saw the result as an important stepping stone ahead of the rest of the season.

“One of the things that we started working on in terms of preparation for the CFU competition (Caribbean Football Union Club Shield), is the attacking options. As you know, this year we had a lot of challenges with scoring goals, so tonight is a good start,” he explained.“We still have a long way to go, but it’s a work in progress.”

By virtue of retaining the Premier League crown, Wales qualified for the CFU competition once again. This year’s edition will however be played in a knockout format. With his side set to enter at the Round of 16 stage, coach Howell is cognisant of the need for improvement.

“Nevertheless because we already know what type of format the CFU Club shield will be playing, we definitely have to start scoring some more goals.” he said.

Earlier traditional title challengers Ellerton were knocked out by UWI Blackbirds, following an entertaining encounter.

Teon Cadogan handed UWI an early lead in the 16th minute and following end to end action, Marco St Hill equalised for Ellerton in the 40th, following a defensive error by the Cave Hill based team.

Rovaldo Massiah put UWI back ahead in the 52nd minute with a well taken goal and despite sustained pressure from Ellerton, UWI held on to book their spot in the next round, much to the pleasure of assistant coach Ricardo Goddard.

“I think we played well in patches. We played mostly to the game plan and when you play to the game plan, you tend to win,” he said.

According to Goddard, scoring first as UWI did in a knockout game is often critical.

“The focus was just like any other game, don’t let people score or you’re playing catch up. You find that when people score on you in a knockout game they tend to sit back a lot and if you don’t have that creativity, to cause people problems, then you always find yourself hustling and you don’t do the correct things,” he added.

In the opening game, goals from Shakarie Mottley in the 19th minute and and own goal in the 88th, saw Eyre’s Meatshop Pride of Gall Hill advance to the quarter finals, after a 2-0 win over Notre Dame.

(KH)