Sports Monday: Football and Softball Matches Over the Weekend
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.
We take you out to the MCC Grounds for yesterday’s showdown between West Lake and FC Elite in the Belize District 1st Division Football Competition. 7 minutes in FC Elite looks for the opener when Jorge Aleman turns on this ball forcing the goalkeeper into a necessary save. FC Elite gets another chance to grab the early lead as Alden Avila fires at an empty goal after the keeper abandoned his line only to produce a strike that sails over the crossbar. Make it 3 failed attempts in a row for FC Elite when Marlon Gutierrez’s push at goal is repelled by the keeper and the attempt to finish by Melvin Cordova is unsuccessful. Conversely, West Lake in its first real look at goal comes up with the opener when Ashton Lewis powers this right foot grounder into the far corner to take a 1-zip lead some 15 minutes in. Wayne Miller then streaks in from the left side in a bid to double the lead but this time, Miguel Neal stands firm.
Miller comes back again this time attacking from the opposite side and again Miguel Neal denied him. Devaun Zuniga then looks to score on this attempt at goal only to see Neal make the stop although he didn’t know too much about it. At the other end, this set piece triggered by Jorge Aleman that finds Ashton Lewis could have provided FC Elite with the equalizer except for the heroics of the West Lake keeper. Folks, when Jesuscito Williams sets table perfectly for Marlon Gutierrez, the West Lake keeper comes up with a big time save. Off the ensuing corner kick, Naim Wilson takes down Melvin Cordova inside the box and the penalty call is automatic. Marlon Gutierrez gets the call, but receives a rejection slip from the keeper. In the meantime, we’re in early 2nd half action when Francis Andrews finds Clinton Gill unattended and he makes the most of it to give West Lake the 2-zip lead. Hey George Tillett, slow it down for the fans to see this elbow Naim Wilson lands on Melvin Cordova that gets him chased off the field of play.
The breakthrough finally comes for FC Elite when Jorge Aleman dishes to Marlon Gutierrez who smashes it into the far corner for the 2-1 score. In the waning moments of the ballgame FC Elite gets this final chance with this set piece atop the 18, but the thrust falls short. West Lake emerges with the 2-1 big win. In other action in the league: Stars Academy dazzled Eiley FC in a 1-zip blast and Ladyville Jaguars but Fort George United in a scorching 3-2 affair.
And here’s a look at results from Saturday’s play in the Smart Mundialito.
Finally in softball news, we caught up with Friday night’s face off between defending champion of the Belize City Competition, the Belize Bank Bulldogs and the newcomer Beacon. We’re in the top of the 2nd inning and the starting pitcher, Hortence Richards runs into more trouble. The bases are loaded for Tainarra Ramsey whose contact is misplayed at shortstop; Lisa Ferguson scores and later in the inning, Sharette Jones’ attempt to steal 2nd allows the runner from 3rd base to score and Beacon leads 5-zip. In the top of the 4th inning, Ashley Lucas replaces Hortence Richards as pitcher for the Bulldogs. With runners at 1st and 3rd, the Bulldogs look to pick the attempt to steal 2nd base and Mertill Bailey used the opportunity to sprint home. Hortence Richard’s infield hit then brings home Vanessa Rose from 3rd. Jasmilia Bradley then comes up to lay down the perfect bunt as Kisa Arnold scores—and guess what, Beacon leads 8-zip.
However, the Bank comes roaring back and it starts with this in the park homerun in Joline Davis in the bottom of the 5th. Ashley Lucas holds the Beacon scoreless in the top of the 6th, but in the bottom of the 6th, Hortence Thurton gets roughed up. With 2 on, Joseph Cindy crushes this ball to the left field boundary, bringing Ashley Lucas and Lysa Moreira home. Thurton then faces Marsha Wills and is let down by defense in a left field—Cindy Joseph scores and Marsha Wills reaches 3rd base off the error. Bases are loaded when Agnes Lucas hits the ball to Hortence who fails to handle it; Marsha Wills scores from 3rd. Another poor defensive error gets Joline Davis to 1st base while Lysa Moreira scores. Georgia Williams steps up and barely raises this ball over the infield but it’s good enough to bring home another run. Cindy Joseph swings through this pitch and the attempt to pick off the runner comes up with a legitimate hit and Marsha Wills scores. Folks, Belize Bank Bulldogs would come from 8-nil to win in a 15-8 final score. Hey guys can you please fix the scoreboard inside the Roger’s Stadium.
Jah overall, I’m James Adderley.
