By Rawle Toney
A crucial extra-time goal by tennis star Darian King sealed the victory for Wotton FC and propelled them into the finals of the Barbados Football Association’s (BFA) Republic Cup, where they will face defending champions Weymouth Wales.
In the opening match of a double-header at the Wildey AstroTurf on Sunday evening, King’s late goal proved instrumental in Wotton’s 3-2 win over Brittons Hill, while Wales convincingly defeated the University of the West Indies (UWI) Blackbirds 5-1.
It means that only Wotton now stands in the way of Wales’ historic treble, with the football juggernauts having already captured the 2023 Premier League and Champions Cup titles.
Playing in front of an appreciative crowd, Wotton struck first when Jabarry Chandler scored a header in the 13th minute from a corner kick to give Wotton a 1-0 lead.
Despite Brittons Hill’s custodian Shaquille Frank attempt to punch the ball away, Chandler’s perfectly timed header still found its way into the back of the net.
Brittons Hill, however, rallied back, with Engozy Reid equalising 10 minutes later from the penalty spot after one of his teammates was brought down inside the 18-yard box.
Known for his clinical finishes, Reid gracefully tucked his effort into the net to level the game midway through the first half.
The stalemate persisted until the 51st minute, when Wotton retook the lead courtesy of a spot kick by Omari Leacock to make it 2-1.
The two sides would trade chances on goal, but it was Reid who once again came to Brittons Hill’s rescue, this time in the 70th minute, when he pounced on a fumble by Wotton goalkeeper’s to slam home the equaliser.
As both teams failed to capitalise on chances, spectators anticipated a dramatic penalty shootout, but substitute Darian King, Barbados’ highest-ranked tennis player, had different plans.
King seized an intercepted ball, muscled his way through the Brittons Hill defence and slotted a shot home in the 105th minute to make it 3-2 and spark wild celebrations among Wotton’s supporters.
In the night’s second semi-final, Wales dominated the Blackbirds from early on, with talisman Nadre Butcher scoring a hat-trick (18’, 24’, 34’), and Akeem Hill (14’) and Ackeel Applewaithe (74’) completing the rout.
Rivaldo Massiah scored UWI’s lone goal in the 80th minute.
UWI will now face Brittons Hill in the third-place game.
The winner between Wotton and Wales will claim $30,000, while the runners-up will settle for $15,000.
The third-place finisher will receive $7,500, and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament will be awarded $5,000.
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