Paradise missed out on the chance to overtake leaders Brittons Hill United when Barbados Football Association Premier League action continued at the Wildey Technical Centre on Tuesday night.
Playing in the opening game of the double header, they were held to a 1-1 draw by fellow title challengers Kickstart Rush.
During an encounter where so much was at stake, the tension was palpable on the field with neither side playing the flowing attacking football they are capable of in the opening half. Paradise had the best chance of the opening period but their usually lethal marksman Sheran Hoyte failed to convert on that occasion.
With Paradise having more possession once again in the second half, Jaron Ougtherson had a wonderful opportunity to put them ahead in the 64th minute after receiving a square ball from the right hand side. However, the Kickstart defense did just enough to unsettle him, as he missed the target from about eight yards out.
The opening goal of the game came moments later in the 70th minute, as Romario Drakes slotted home from inside the box, to spark celebrations among his teammates and the Kickstart Rush supporters in the stands. That joy was short lived, however, as Sheran Hoyte atoned for his earlier missed chance, to put Paradise back on level terms in the 80th minute.
In a frenetic final ten minutes, both teams chased the winning goal to no avail, with the draw being the ultimate result.
“They had clearer cut opportunities, but equally we had opportunities as well. After taking the lead, I think we went to sleep during the interim and we were a bit excited to have the game restarted and then we conceded, at a not-so-welcome time. Nevertheless, we remain unbeaten within the league, so it gives us room to improve. I believe that in the second half of the season we will definitely get better,” Kick Rush head coach Renaldo Gilkes told Barbados TODAY.
At the halfway point of the season, leaders Brittons Hill have so far accumulated 19 points, with Paradise still second, but advancing to 18. Kickstart Rush have moved into the top three on 17 points, bumping Ellerton down to fourth by virtue of a better goal difference. Defending Champions Weymouth Wales are fifth on 16 points.
In the nightcap game, UWI Blackbirds moved up two positions to sixth on 11 points, after a 3-0 win over ninth placed St Andrew Lions. In so doing, they leafrogged Bagatelle who are now seventh on 11 points and Eyre’s Meatshop Pride of Gall Hill, who sit eight in the table on ten points heading into round two.
The Blackbirds eased to victory thanks to first half goals from Shakeel Browne, Javier Smith and Christopher Jacobs.
Second round action kicks off at the Technical Centre on Sunday. There could be a change at the top of the table when Kickstart Rush face Brittons Hill United at 4 p.m. Paradise could respond, however, when they face a rejuvenated UWI Blackbirds side at 6 p.m., while in the nightcap encounter, Ellerton, will also be hoping to move back into the the top three, with victory against Wotton, who are without a point and in serious danger of relegation.
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