Defending champs Weymouth Wales advance to PM’s Cup

Defending champions Weymouth Wales booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Prime Minister’s Cup on Tuesday night, cruising to a 4-1 victory over Atlas United at Orange Hill, St James.

Player of the match Armando Lashley struck twice for Wales and in the process joined Paradise’s Sheran Hoyte at the top of the Golden Boot standings on seven goals.

Ackeel Applewhaite booted Weymouth Wales into the lead in the eighth minute before Shamal Crick doubled their advantage as Atlas conceded an own goal.

Atlas pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time through Rojae Collins, but Wales still carried a 2-1 lead into the interval.

The defending champions extended their advantage immediately after the restart when Lashley netted his first goal of the night in the 46th minute to make it 3-1.

Both teams made several substitutions over the next 15 minutes but it was Lashley who again had the key impact, scoring his second goal of the match in the 73rd minute.

With Atlas unable to mount a response, the only blemish on Wales’ night was a red card shown to veteran central defender Akeem Hill in the 86th minute, ruling him out of their quarter-final encounter.

Lashley said his team produced a much-improved performance after the break.

“In the first half we were not playing up to standard, but the coach gave us a few words at half-time and we came out here and executed the job afterwards.”

The all-time leading goalscorer in the Barbados Football Association Premier League said he was satisfied with his performance on the night and admitted he has one eye on the Golden Boot race.

However, he acknowledged that Wales still have areas to improve.

“We were lacking in certain areas tonight, but we will head back to the training pitch and get everything correct,” he said.

In the nightcap, Christ Church neighbours Wotton and Gall Hill squared off, with Gall Hill ultimately prevailing 1-0 thanks to a 35th-minute goal from player of the match Shakarie Mottley.

“The plan was always the same from the first game,” Mottley said.

“We came out and we put the best foot forward. We just need to make sure that we put away all the chances as clinically as possible. Earlier I told one of the defenders that I just need one chance, you understand? And it presented itself.”

Gall Hill will meet long-time arch-rivals Paradise in the quarter-finals and Mottley said he wants his side to continue putting in the work behind the scenes.

“Everybody has to put in the effort, from management right back down to players. We can do the same thing we did in this game too. Head down, focus on the prize.”
(KH)