Three of the four Premier League teams seized the opportunity to secure their place in the Round of 16 of the Prime Minister’s Cup. Among them are reigning champions University of the West Indies Blackbirds, along with Pride of Gall Hill and Wotton.
As the entry door to the playoffs have already opened, those three teams have joined 2024 runners-up Brittons Hill, Weymouth Wales, and St Andrew Lions, all of whom have already bagged six points from two matches and are looking to top their respective groups with a maximum of nine points.
Over the weekend, the action continued with matches played between Speightstown and Briar Hall, with teams earnestly looking to reach the grand final and covet the $100 000 up for grabs.
On Friday in Speightstown, UWI Blackbirds, coached by Fabian Massiah, made light work of Lodge Road, brushing them aside 3-0. The goals were scored by Jelani Chandler (15th), Jadon McCollin (33rd), and Captain Romario Drakes (34th).
As expected, UWI were in total control, particularly for the first half, but were unable to produce a goal in the second period after Coach Massiah made a number of substitutions and the players were unable to gel efficiently.
It did not matter because the Division Two team Lodge Road struggled on both ends, while UWI finished Group E with seven points. Bagatelle, recently gaining promotion to the Barbados Football Association Premier League, have four, followed by Technique Club (waiting in earnest to see if they will advance as one of the best third-place teams), while Lodge Road have exited.
A goal from Nicholas Gibbs kept Bagatelle’s hope alive with a 1-0 result over Technique in their final preliminary game.
On Saturday, Group C was on show in Briar Hall, and Pride of Gall Hill, playing at home, was able to strike a 2-1 win against Division Two side Benfica.
Those responsible for Gall Hill’s performance were Shamari Best (tenth) and Shakarie Mottley (88th). Benfica salvaged a late goal in the 78th minute off a penalty kick struck by Tranniko Carter-Brown, but it was all Gall Hill, with Man of the Match Radarico Marques playing a vital role in the midfield.
Similarly, Wotton Club, another team hailing from Christ Church, snatched victory by the smallest of margins (1-0) to advance into the next round. A goal stamped in the third minute by Wotton’s leading marksman, Derrine Gale-Forde, was sufficient to steer them into the playoff round.
Pride of Gall Hill, coached by veteran Barry Taylor, ended top of Group C with nine points, followed by Wotton (six), Notre Dame (three), and Benfica (zero).
Season Two of the Prime Minister’s Cup is powered by The Barbados Lottery, with official hydration partners Powerade/Dasani, and sponsors Rude Boy and Body Zone Bliss supporting all of the man-of-the-match awards.
(AS)
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