Goaaal! Football highlights with James Adderley
James Adderley
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.
We take you immediately to the Isidoro Beaton Stadium where on Saturday night, the defending champions, the Belmopan bandits hosted an always dangerous Placencia as week 6 rolled on in the Premier League of Belize. we’re only eight minutes in when this defensive error gives Jerome James this look at goal from pointblank range but James fires the ball too close to Elias Pelayo and a goalkeeper of his quality will most times come up with the save. 16 minutes in Jerome James sets up Belize’s most successful international striker, Deon McCauley and for sure he should have done better with this chance. McCauley then tries to make amends a minute later but is foiled by a finger tip save from Pelayo. Folks, against the run of play, Placencia Assassins strike first when Alexander Peters deals to Ashley Torres who punches it at goal, Woodrow West gets a hand on it, but it’s not enough to prevent the Assassins to grab a 1-zip lead at the 31st minute.
Placencia then gets the chance to double the lead when Jesus Ramos finds Alexander Peters with this lead pass but Peters makes a mess of the opportunity. In the meantime, we can safely conclude that Deon McCauley is not having a good day when he raises this attempt over the crossbar from inside the box. At the 78th minute, Jerome James ties the score at 1-1 for Belmopan bandits with this nice tap in and we’ve got a new ballgame. In extra time, Placencia Assassins get burned when David Madrid fires this shot at goal from the left wing; it deflects off Dalton Eiley and there’s nothing Elias Pelayo can do about Belmopan Bandits takes the win in a 2-1 big win off a lucky break.
We now head to the MCC Grounds where yesterday the B.D.F. came out against Police United in a bid to maintain its status as league leader. 17 minutes in Jeremy Bermudez of Police takes down the B.D.F.’s Paul Nunez inside the box for which the referee rightly rules for a penalty kick. Vallan Symms is chosen for the execution and unlike the time, this time he beats Keith Allen to give the military a 1-zip lead. B.D.F. looks for more off this set piece triggered by Khalil Vasquez to Marlon Meza who gifts it to the goalkeeper. Meanwhile, the Police almost comes up with the equalizer when Evan Mariano fires this loose ball out goal. It’s a beauty but Frank Lopez comes up with an even more impressive save. Carlton Thomas comes off the bench and tries to double the lead with this right foot offering that brings out a fire save from Keith Allen. Early into 2nd half play, Trevor Lennon looks for the equalizer with this low cruise missile that veers off the target at the last second. When Shannon flowers looses this ball to Byron usher, it provides a chance at goal that is foiled only by the heroics of Keith Allen.
Folks, Delroy Flores does nice work to get this ball to Andres Makin who fails to hit the target. For certain the Police blow a wonderful opportunity to pull even when Amin August floats this set piece to Evan Mariano who gets let down by a horrible 1st touch. At the 86th minute, Vallan Symms steps up to launch this set piece from the side and the right foot push finds the far corner—the B.D.F. gets all 3 points and deservedly so from the 2-zip win to remain the leader in the league standings.
In other action from around the league, San Ignacio blanked FC Belize, while Barcelona and Verdes battled to a 1-all stalemate. Meanwhile folks, the national team of Trinidad will be hosted by the National Team of Belize this Saturday, 23rd March, at 4 p.m. inside the MCC Grounds. As a result, the PLB matches for week 7 will be staged on Wednesday and Thursday so stay tuned.
In cricket news, play in the Smart Harrison Parks National Cricket Competition over the weekend saw Police handle Easy Does It by 49 runs. Berlan beat Surprise 64 runs to 63 with 9 crickets to spare. Brilliant jolted Wicked Eleven 73 runs to 72 with 4 wickets to spare. Sunrise got over Strugglers 125 runs to 32. Isabella Uprising defeated Bright Star 112 runs to 90 and Western Eagles flew past Alfred Dawson Cricket Club by 44 runs with 9 wickets to spare.
Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.
