Preseason semi-pro friendly ends in draw
Good evening I’m James Adderley and you’ve just logged on to the latest version of Sports Monday. Pre-season in the Belize Football League has shown just how deep the changes are in the two ballclubs that confronted each other at the MCC Grounds yesterday.
In fact, this picture tells the story of the new Dangriga line up as it features Stanley Robinson, Denmark Casey, Benedict Lopez and the new keeper William Johnson.
For Yabra the defending BFL champion, number five is the big import from out of the Cayes, Shane Moody of Belmopan in goal, Erwin “Bird” Flores is one of the strikers and of course Landi Pinelo by way of Juventus.
The first real attack for Dangriga comes from another new addition, Dale Pelayo, who fires this right foot that inches outside the target. Nevertheless, its the Yabra captain Norman “Tilliman” Nunez looking to open the scoring with this punch from the right side, but the goalkeeper, Johnson, is well positioned.
Deon Flowers, looking for a starting role this year on the Yabra team shows off his left foot touch, but the keeper handles adequately. Shielded by heavy traffic, Pelayo tries to blindside Shane Moody, but this guy is a tremendous leaper. You don’t believe in Shane Moody? Well here, he makes Marvin “Rugged” Flores a believer.
Deon Pelayo and Tilliman tries to take command of the situation, but good defensive work from Johnson and then Flores denies the striker his goal.
Lennox Mejia then finds Edon Rowley for the header, but the crossbar presents a mighty barrier and at the half, we have a scoreless ballgame.
Early into second half, Johnson gets another opportunity to display his goal-scoring skills as he tracks down this grass head burner.
Now keep your eyes to the left of your screen as Flores takes down Tilliman – the penalty call is automatic from Referee Jones. Who you gonna call? Yabra sends for Vallan Syms and he delivers the 1-zip lead.
Downfield the Griga Conqueror’s look for the immediate equaliser, but Shane Moody comes up with the initial stop and then gets defensive help to save the day.
Nunez then looks to make it a 2-nil lead, with this left foot bomb, but instead finds the near upright. Now keep your eyes on this cornerkick from Benedict Lopez; there’s a struggle for possession until Stanley Robinson connects with this vicious header that ties the ballgame at one apiece.
Yabra then goes to Nunez for the game winner, but again the Griga keeper comes up with a big save for the 1-1 final score.
Of course, we look forward to the start of regular season play in the BFL on the thirteenth and fourteenth October.
Turning to the softball scene, Sports Monday congratulates the officials from the Belize Softball Federation who received ISF certification of Guatemala recently. They are Joel Westby has a full ISF umpire title, which means he can umpire anywhere softball is played in the world. Errol Bennett, Fred Gabourel and Bernard Lynch all received Continental certification.
