The race for promotion in the 2025 SKNFA Division 1 League is heating up, with top clubs jostling for position as the season approaches its decisive phase. At the heart of the action is Honda Newtown United, who reclaimed top spot this week following a clinical 2-0 victory over SKELEC Garden Hotspurs at Warner Park on Tuesday, April 8.
Newtown wasted no time asserting themselves in the match, with Navaldo Champagne opening the scoring in just the third minute. The early goal set the tone for the East Basseterre-based club, who doubled their advantage in the 30th minute through Carlos Bertie. The two first-half goals were enough to secure all three points and reestablish Newtown as league leaders, shaking off last week’s disappointing defeat to TGE Dieppe Bay Eagles.
Following the match, Newtown’s goalkeeper Meneliek Gumbs emphasized the importance of the result—not just for the team, but for the wider community. “It’s very important to get three points, to reach back to the top of the table and to keep the momentum going,” Gumbs said. “It’s also important for the community—to keep the love and the positive energy. We just have to stick together, stay focused, and follow the coach’s game plan.”
While disappointed with the result, Hotspurs head coach Stephen Clarke remained upbeat about his team’s prospects. He acknowledged a sluggish start but was encouraged by their second-half response. “We started the game a little flat; Newtown had more energy than us. We made two mistakes that gifted them their goals. But we created chances and just didn’t finish them,” Clarke reflected. “That said, the players came out in the second half, dominated more, and played a much better game. We’re still very much in the hunt for promotion.”
Elsewhere in the league, MBT/Fast Cash Saddlers United delivered a statement performance on Monday, April 10, with a 3-0 win over TGE Dieppe Bay Eagles. Forward Dequan Wattley was the undisputed star of the show, registering a hat trick with goals in the 41st, 53rd, and 75th minutes. The victory keeps Saddlers within striking distance of the top two. The match ended on a sour note for Dieppe Bay, however, with Mirico Cranstoun being shown a red card in added time.
Over at the Newtown Playing Field, Village Galaxy, sponsored by UNICOMER / The Cable, put on a dazzling display of attacking football to thrash Conaree Fireballs International 6-0. Leading the charge was Akanye Samuel-Francis, who scored a hat trick, including a penalty in the 85th minute. Chebar Jeffers, Eusani Hendrickson, and Carl Newton also found the back of the net as Galaxy cruised to one of the biggest wins of the season.
In another fixture played on Tuesday, KFC Trinity/Challengers recorded a solid 4-1 win over 607 Construction Lodge Patriots, coming from behind after Josh Liburd gave the Patriots an early lead in the 14th minute. Challengers responded swiftly through Ricaldo Lewis, while Hasani Rouse scored twice on either side of the halftime whistle. Tyrone Grant added a fourth to seal the victory and keep Challengers well-positioned in the promotion chase.
Meanwhile, Sunday’s clash between Rivers of Living Water and Trevor Fraites & Associates Molineux Pitbulls ended in a 1-1 draw. Molineux took a first-half lead, but Rivers responded after the break to share the spoils in a tightly contested encounter.
As the SKNFA Division 1 League enters its final stretch, the top four teams—Newtown United, Saddlers United, Village Galaxy, and Challengers—remain locked in a fierce battle for the two promotion spots to the Premier League. With each result shaking up the standings, the next few weeks promise drama, intensity, and plenty of football fireworks.