Paradise remain unbeaten at the top of the Barbados Football Association Premier League after a dramatic injury-time equaliser secured a draw against defending champions Weymouth Wales, after the fourth round of matches got under way at the Wildey Technical Centre on Sunday night.
Playing in a keenly contested encounter at the Wildey Technical Centre, Paradise battled back from a goal down to snatch a point late on, in a match that ended with Wales reduced to nine men and Paradise to ten following an incident in the 66th minute.
Both teams pressed for an early advantage, with Wales having a goal ruled out for offside in the 16th minute, while Paradise veteran Jomo Harris fired high over the bar at the other end moments later.
Wales struck first in the 29th minute when Barbados international Ackeel Applewhaite capitalised on a moment of uncertainty in the Paradise defence, split two defenders with a well-timed run and calmly slotted past goalkeeper Jireh Malcolm.
There were no further goals before halftime, but the intensity increased after the break. Paradise had appeals for a penalty, waved away by referee Jamar Springer in the 51st minute before the match reached boiling point 15 minutes later.
After Paradise striker Nicholas Best appeared to foul a Wales defender, tempers flared and players from both sides clashed. Following a lengthy delay, Wales players Ranaldo Trim and Ackeel Applewhaite were shown straight red cards, along with Paradise’s Kamol Griffith. Paradise’s Jireh Malcolm and Jaheim Headley were also cautioned.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Wales adopted a more defensive approach in the closing stages while still pressing on the counter-attack. With three points seemingly secured, Best struck in the 10th minute of additional time to spark celebrations among Paradise players and supporters.
A long ball over the top evaded Wales goalkeeper Shaquon Phillips, and in the ensuing goalmouth scramble, Best reacted first to head the ball into the net.
Wales head coach Asquith Howell described the performance as gritty.
“I think this was one of our better games of the season, despite the ugliness that turned the tables. It’s a work in progress and indiscipline is one of the things we have to guard against. Yes, they started it, but we have to be able to handle situations such as that,” Howell said.
The result saw Paradise remain unbeaten on 10 points at the top of the standings, while Wales moved into second on eight points, overtaking Kickstart Rush, who have seven points but a game in hand.
In the opening match, Eyre’s Meat Shop Pride of Gall Hill edged Ellerton 1-0 in a hard-fought contest. A 31st-minute penalty from Ramon Rollings proved decisive.
Gall Hill head coach Barry Taylor said his team was still a work in progress.
“A hard-fought victory for the fellas. We are missing a lot of players due to injuries, so we had to use some backups today. We didn’t mind if it was ugly,” Taylor said.
In the night’s remaining fixture, St Andrew Lions defeated Wotton 3-0, leaving the Christ Church side winless and without a point after four matches.
All three goals came in the first half, with Shamar Edwards opening the scoring in the 10th minute, Thierry Bradshaw adding a second in the 20th, and Khimani Cox making it 3-0 in the 30th.
Lions coach Kenroy Skinner welcomed the result following last week’s draw with Weymouth Wales.
“We’re starting to build a little momentum now. It’s about taking it step by step, game by game. Coming from grassy turf is challenging, so it’s about adjusting, settling into the competition and making the necessary tweaks along the way,” Skinner said.
Premier League action continues on Tuesday, with UWI Blackbirds facing Kickstart Rush, while Brittons Hill take on Bagatelle.
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