Atlas and Blackspurs secured promotion to the Barbados Football Association’s Division One following the conclusion of the Division Two playoffs, with Atlas wrapping up their campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory over Blackspurs on Thursday night.
Joshua Bayne gave Atlas the lead in the sixth minute at the BFA Technical Centre in Wildey before Tyrell Waldron made it 2-0 in the 10th minute.
Shane Alleyne further solidified Atlas’ control with a goal in the 24th minute before Blackspurs reduced the deficit on the stroke of half-time through Bishon Richards.
Any hope of a Blackspurs comeback was shattered, however, when Ross Bourne made it 4-1 with the game’s final goal in the 60th minute.
Both teams were assured of promotion, having topped the playoff table.
In Thursday’s second encounter, Cave and L&R United played to a goalless draw.
In more playoff action earlier this week, Atlas hammered Cave Hill 7-0, while L&R United and Blackspurs played out a 1-1 draw.
Head coach and president of Atlas Football Club Kreg Stuart said achieving promotion to Division One was the culmination of a season of planning and preparation.
“When I spoke to you during the Mavericks Under 19 tournament last year, I told you that we had a strong group of young players.
“We had a team of 25 when we started the season and 14 of them were under the age of 19. We intentionally came into this season, wanting to focus on younger players and giving them opportunities,” he said.
According to Stuart, after a strong first round of games, Atlas had a blip in form before going on a six-match winning streak to qualify for the playoffs.
He believes one of the team’s key reasons for success was the willingness of players to sacrifice their time.
“They were willing to put in the work in terms of training and I know that’s something that we tend to have an issue with in Barbados, but I would say our players really put in the effort.
“We started our pre-season really in November, and we were willing to just keep practicing and they were always willing to learn,” Stuart added.
“I think that having the young players really pushed us with their energy and enthusiasm for everything that we did.”
While the team is based in Hoyte’s Village, St James, Stuart revealed that the players are drawn from a wide cross-section of communities around the island.
He said that, like many of the island’s top teams, they are now looking forward to competing in the Prime Minister’s Cup, beginning on September 7.
“For sure, our intention is to compete. We don’t want to come and just make up a number. We want to make sure that we carry the same intensity that we had in Division Two. After that it’s about next season, preparing and resting and going strong again in Division One.”
(KH)
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