It was a goal fest in the NBGC Premier League on the weekend with a total of 26 goals scored among the five matches on the cards.
The Premier League moved to the NBGC Technical Center on Friday June 21, when Azul Cayon Rockets crushed demoted Trafalgar Southstars 5-0.
The goals came from Devontay Carty in the 24th minute, Vinceroy Nelson in the 31st minute, Evansroy Barnes one minute before halftime, Jahmarli Connor in the 63rd minute and Shaqkeem Butler six minutes later.
After the match, Coach Anthony Nets Isaac of Cayon said he is satisfied with the win, though he was hoping to score more goals in the event goal difference plays a role in the playoff positions.
“At training and coming to the game, we decided we had to get at least seven to eight goals. Because remember the second-place team, which is (Old Road) have been scoring goals regularly, and they are way ahead in goals. But for us to catch up, depending on how the table stand, we want to be there when it comes to goal averages...we didn't get the amount that we wanted, but we're satisfied still,” Isaac said.
Manager of Trafalgar Southstars, Akins Phillip said with his team relegated to Division 1, he is aiming for his team to earn some points before the end of the season.
“The plan for the rest of the season is to try and get some points. We can't leave without getting at least three or six points. We're going to try our best,” Phillip said.
On Saturday June 22, DBSKN St. Peters FC, edged Honda Newtown United 3-2, to maintain their spot in the Final Four playoff race.
St. Peters took the lead in the sixth minute through Devion Harvey before, eight minutes into the second half, Jabari Isaac equalized for Newtown.
Shaquille Barzey and Dionis Stephens scored in the 62nd and 68th minutes, respectively, to put St. peters up 3-1 before Shamar Powell gave Newtown hope of a comeback with eight minutes to go.
In Saturday’s second game, S.L Horsfords St. Paul’s United came from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw with MFCR Old Road United Jets.
Goals from Tiquanny Williams in the 34th minute and Geovanni Lake four minutes later gave Old Road a 2-0 lead going into the halftime interval.
Keithroy Freeman cut the lead in half for St. Paul’s in the 67th minute before Petrez Williams secured a point for his side in the 90th minute.
Captain of Old Road Jets Nequan Browne explained that the team lost concentration and managed the game poorly which led to them giving up the 2-0 lead.
“We lost concentration in the game. Time management was a problem with us. We should have managed the ball better, move it around better, instead of playing into St. Paul's hands. I just feel like the inexperience of the team, maybe took a toll on us. But we will regroup and come again,” Browne said.
Jamal Jeffers, goalkeeper for St. Paul’s spoke to his team’s resilience, which spurred them to walkway with a point from a losing position.
“A lot of fans know it and the community of St. Paul's knows that St. Paul don't go out without a fight. Many times, we have been in this position but we kept our cool. We concede two early goals but regardless, that's how football goes. We just have to keep calm, we just have to continue playing. Coach talked to us; we made some tactical changes and came out and played a way better second half and we managed to get away with a draw,” he said.
On Sunday June 23, Tropical Blossom Hotsprings Bath United made its claim for a spot in the playoffs when they defeated SKELEC Garden Hotspurs 2-1.
Spurs took the lead in the 23rd minute though a Justin Claxton own goal before Aljay Newton equalized for Bath two minutes later.
Bath’s winning goal came from Jeremy Richards six minutes into the second half.
Richards was very satisfied with the performance of his teammates and the result of the match.
“I think we've had a desire to come and perform as a team. We have some goals to meet for the season and that has been our main focus. So, it was an important three points...and we move forward,” Richards said.
Spurs Coach George “Yellowman” Isaac said he is doing his best to motivate the players as they are facing the unprecedented situation of relegation from the premier league.
“That's a hard one, but I try my best every day to motivate these players every day in training. To work hard, to play hard, because the position we in, we’ve got to make sure we come out, but it’s just getting harder and harder,” Isaac said.
The final match of the weekend was an exciting nine goal thriller as defending champions Rams Village Superstars came from 1-0 down to win 5-4 against Conaree.
Village went up 3-1 at half time, with a brace by the league’s leading goal scorer Kimaree Rogers in the 23rd and 36th minutes and a goal from Dahjal Kelly in the 33rd minute in response to a 20th minute strike from Conaree’s Errol O’Loughlin.
Caaja Burnham made it 4-1 in the second half in the 58th minute, but O’Loughlin led the Conaree fightback, rounding out his hat trick in the 70th and 74th minutes.
Samani Williams, however, extended Village’s lead in the 80th minute but Conaree, not to be outdone, scored a 4th goal in the 7th minute of stoppage time before the match ended 5-4.
Coach Stephen Clarke of Village said the win was a show of the heart and grit of his team, but they must do a better job defensively.
“Certain parts of how we play, especially in the first half, the chances we created, moments on the ball; it's been missing for quite a while. With that said though, giving up four goals, it was, I must say, uncalled for. We didn't see out the game,” Clarke commented.
Assistant Coach of Conaree Sven Korte, said despite the loss, he is proud of his players.
“I'm proud of my team. They've given everything. Congratulations to Rams Village Superstars. Great performance; the win is okay, because overall I think pass accuracy, speed of players, and bridging the midfield was definitely in their favor,” he said.
The NBGC Premier League is on a break this week due to the St. Kitts Music Festival, but the teams return to action in the first weekend of July at the NBGC Technical Center.