Paradise, Technique kick off PM’s Cup with victories

Paradise and Technique made winning starts to their Prime Minister’s Cup campaigns on Monday night, launching their bids for the tournament’s $100 000 first prize with contrasting victories at Friendship Playing Field.

Technique produced the more dramatic comeback, overturning an early deficit to beat L&R United 2-1, while Paradise also opened their account with a victory as the third edition of the lucrative competition got underway.

Technique found themselves behind after just eight minutes when Javon Young fired L&R United ahead.

Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw (right) and Technique captain Antonio Weekes greet players and mascots ahead of the opening game.

But they hit back six minutes later through Player-of-the-Match Tarell Nightengale, who levelled the contest in the 14th minute.

Zaiden Hackett then completed the turnaround in the 33rd minute, scoring the decisive goal to give Technique all three points.

For new Technique head coach Marlon Harte, the victory provided the ideal start to his tenure with the club’s senior team.

“Obviously it was critical for us to get our first three points of the competition. As a coach you will always be critical of some elements of the performance, so there are some things that I think we did really well and some things that we will continue to work on. 

“Generally we are just happy to get a few points because from the first game, you want to put yourself in a position to be competitive in the group to get into those playoffs,” Harte explained.

Off the field, Harte, who is the former head coach of Wotton Football Club, said he is enjoying his new role at Technique.

“Everybody’s been super welcoming, super encouraging and super supportive. We have lots of our fans and our parents and well-wishers here, which I am very pleased to see, and we continue to grow. 

“You can see that our team is a young side full of energy and effort and we are very willing to keep going,” he added.

In the nightcap game, 2025 PMC third placed team Paradise, who are fresh from their capture of the Barbados Football Association’s President’s Cup, defeated 2026 BFA Division One runners-up Pro Shottas 2-0.

Tyrese Crawford opened the scoring in the 28th minute, with Jaron Oughterson adding the remaining goal in the 90th minute.

Play in the Prime Minister’s Cup moves to the Orange Hill Playing Field in St James on Thursday, when Bagatelle tackle Cave Hill, before defending champions Weymouth Wales play Notre Dame.

(KH)