All Saints United have been crowned as champions of the 2023-24 Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) Premier League.

All Saints entered the 18^th and final game on May 5 on 46 points, trailing Grenades FC by two points.

They then defeated Garden Stars 3-1 in their final game while Grenades were held to a 1-1 draw by Ottos Rangers FC who played the ultimate spoiler role as their relegation to the first division was already confirmed before this game.

In the end, both All Saints United and Grenades FC finished with identical records of 16 wins, one draw and one loss from their 18 games.

However, by virtue of a goal difference of 55 compared to 48 by Grenades, All Saints United were crowned champions.

The top five were rounded out by Old Road FC, FC Aston Villa and Hoppers FC with totals of 38 points, 33 points and 29 points, respectively.

The ABFA issued a statement congratulating All Saints on winning the title as well as acknowledging the contributions of all the teams to a successful season.

“The ABFA Executive members extend heartfelt congratulations to the management, coaches, and players of All Saints United for their triumphant victory in clinching the 2023/24 ABFA Premier League trophy. We also commend Grenades FC and Old Road FC for their outstanding performances, securing second and third place respectively, and contributing to the thrilling championship race,” the statement read.

It continued, “this season has been filled with excitement, with the premier division delivering a nail-biting finish. The first and second divisions are also gearing up for an equally thrilling climax. We express gratitude to our dedicated fans whose unwavering support has made this season unforgettable.”

Joining the aforementioned Rangers in next season’s first division will be Sap FC and Empire FC who finished 13^th and 15^th, respectively.

Swetes FC, who finished 12^th, will fight for their spot in next season’s Premier league in the playoffs with Police FC and Attacking Saints who finished third and fourth in the first division.

Potter’s Tigers and Five Islands FC were the top two finishers in the first division and have booked spots in next season’s Premier League.

Individually, Old Road’s Raheem Deterville was crowned as both the season’s golden boot winner and MVP.

All Saints United’s Jayden Martin and Blake Thompson took home prizes for best goalkeeper and best defender while FC Aston Villa’s Tyrik Hughes was named best young player.

Grenades FC are champions of the 2022/23 Antigua & Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) Premier League after a 7-0 hammering of Empire at the ABFA Technical Centre on Sunday.

Goals from Sherman Austin (1’), Tev Lawrence (30’) and Rakeem Henry (42’) meant Grenades went into halftime with a comfortable 3-0 lead. They then added four more goals in the final quarter-of-an-hour through Carl Osbourne (75’), Ridel Stanislas (77’), Keanu Barrett (84’) and Donovan Baptiste (90’) to complete the 7-0 score-line.

Grenades ended the season with 45 points from their 17 matches, two more than runners-up All Saints United who secured a 3-0 win over Ottos Rangers in their Week 18 clash.

After a scoreless first 45 minutes, Nazir McBurnette opened the scoring in the 64^th minute before Kendulkar Challenger doubled All Saints’ lead six minutes later. Roneba Cordice converted a penalty three minutes from full time to complete the scoring.

The top five was rounded out by FC Aston Villa (37 points), Old Road FC (31 points) and S.A.P FC (26 points).

FC Aston Villa were handed a 1-2 defeat by Swetes FC in the other Sunday fixture.

On Saturday, S.A.P FC hammered Cedar Grove Blue Jays 5-2 while Pigott’s Bullets beat Willikies by a goal to nil.

Grenades FC, Old Road and Tryum were among the winners as action continued in the ABFA Premier League at the ABFA Technical Centre in Pynter.

On Friday, Grenades beat Swetes 2-0 through goals from Carl Osbourne in the 58^th minute and Barrington Blake in the 88^th minute.

There were three matches played on Saturday.

Old Road secured a 4-0 win over Liberta Blackhawks in the day’s first game. Raheem Deterville led the charge with a hat-trick. His goals came in the 10^th, 56^th and 73^rd minutes. Jonathan Shoy scored their other goal in the 62^nd minute.

The most exciting game of the week came when Tryum and All Saints United played out a seven-goal thriller, with Tryum coming out on top 4-3.

Zafique Drew gave All Saints United the lead in the eighth minute before an Escalliere Bennett own goal in the 11^th minute levelled proceedings.

Tryum went ahead on the stroke of half-time through Eliot Donawa. Nine minutes after the second half resumption, Blake Thompson scored the second own goal of the game, this time to All Saints United’s benefit to make in 2-2.

A 65^th minute penalty from Chevel Cunningham helped Tryum regain the advantage before, five minutes later, Leroy Graham scored for All Saints United to make it 3-3. The winning goal came in the 76^th minute when Cunningham scored his second of the game.

The day’s third encounter saw goals from Malcolm Stewart in the 21^st minute and Tevaughn Harriette in the 87^th minute helped Parham beat SAP 2-1. Kevon Samuel got SAP’s goal in the 35^th minute.

Sunday, Piggot’s Bullets and Ottos Rangers played out a 1-1 draw. Akeem Isaac got the goal for the Bullets in the 39^th minute while Josue Arias got the Rangers’ equalizer in the 72^nd minute.

Five Islands and Greenbay Hoppers played out a dramatic 1-1 draw in the day’s second match. Tony Sanchez gave Five Islands the lead in the 16^th minute before Jordan Riley scored a dramatic equalizer for the Hoppers in the 91^st minute.

Empire got a 2-0 win over Cedar Grove Blue Jays in Sunday’s final game. Rakeem Joseph (62’) and Jayvaughn Joseph (75’) got the goals.

Willikies FC and FC Aston Villa will close out week 13 on Monday.

After 13 rounds, Grenades FC are top of the table with 33 points, two points ahead of All Saints FC in second and five ahead of FC Aston Villa in third.