Pinelands Football Club and Barbados Soccer Academy (BSA) botched their chances in the Group C race after holding each other to a 2-2 draw on Wednesday night in the Prime Minister’s Cup.
In need of a win, the two Division One teams, Pinelands and BSA both captured their first point of the tournament when they met at Valery in Brittons Hill, St. Michael.
University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Blackbirds won 3-1 against Kickstart in the nightcap match to lead the point standings by six points in that group.
As a result of the 2-2 draw between Pinelands and BSA and sharing a point each, it means UWI are in position now to top the group.
Pinelands took the lead following a goal struck by Pinelands Captain Ronaldo Clarke off a right corner kick taken by defender Karim Wade.
BSA defenders and goalkeeper Aarian Sealy were caught sleeping on defence. That opening goal scored in the 12th minute certainly woke BSA out of their slumber. Midfielder Shamar Clarke made a strong reply, scoring twice for BSA in the 14th and 24th minutes.
Midfielder Ajanie Payne did exceptional work on the left side of the field to out dribble Pinelands defenders and produce the assists to Clarke.
Pinelands Captain and goalscorer Ronaldo Clarke (left) attempted to stop BSA goalscorer Shamar Clarke.
(Photo Credit: André Springer)
Pinelands showed they are very capable of scoring goals and managed to equalise 2-2 in the 51st minute through the efforts of Ajani Ashby with a wonderful strike.
BSA, relegated back to Division One this year was unable to find a goal and retake the lead. Pinelands had a much better second half and appeared more assertive on the ball.
Attacking midfield player Radarico Marques and Tyrico Bellamy playing at the top, both stirred trouble for BSA defenders. With two late free kicks offered by referee Adrian Goddard, firstly when Marques was brought down on the left side and for infringement on goalscorer Ashby, Pinelands was unable to convert.
BSA goalkeeper Aarian Sealy did well to make a commendable diving save to his right which stopped Ashby for scoring a second goal and what would have surely given Pinelands victory in the dying stages of the match.
The resulting draw for that game was good for UWI, as they took a 3-0 lead at halftime in the next game to silence a just as equally talented Kickstart unit.
Jaron Oughterson scored a penalty in the 21st minute for UWI. Referee Kai Jacob thought Kickstart defender Dzmitry Dziazhko committed a foul inside the box and blew his whistle.
Kickstart with a few missed opportunities to score allowed UWI to have their way and Kyle Forde Blades netted twice in the 37th and 45+1 minutes.
Seasoned midfield player Azarel Croney found a goal for Kickstart around the 76th minute but UWI were well on their way to victory and not even the rain was able to stop them.
Under the theme Empowering Communities One Goal at a Time, the Prime Minister’s Cup continues today (Friday) at 7 p.m. with Group D in Speightstown.
(AS)
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