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Blackbirds back on top

 

AFTER being knocked down to second place for a few weeks, the University of the West Indies have proven that they are determined to take their first ever title in the Barbados Football Association’s Digicel Premier League as they have moved back to the top of the table. Playing this past Sunday night at the Wildey Astro Turf, UWI knocked down the three-time defending champions, Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme in a top-of-the-table clash that saw them coming away two-one winners.
 
Jairo Lombardo, who has proven valuable this season was the first to rock the nets for the Blackbirds in the 16th minute. The tensions were high as the top spot was in contention and cards flew left right and centre with UWI picking up six yellows and two going to the soldiers. There were two reds, one of which saw Rashad Jules being sent off in the 37th minute to cut BDF down to ten men.
 
UWI tried to take advantage of the situation, but the teams ended up on level terms when Jeremiah Harriette got his second yellow in the 75th. Despite things being equal, UWI struck again through Shamari Mark in the 86th to have the Sports Programme in a world of hurt. Just before things ended, the soldiers pulled one back in the 90th minute, compliments Romario Harewood.
 
After blasting their way into the top tier last year, Rendezvous FC were a force to be reckoned with. However, things have not been going their way this year and on Sunday, an unlikely winner in Clayton’s Kola Tonic Notre Dame emerged when the two sides met up in the 6:00 PM game. It was a high-scoring affair which was kicked of by Rendezvous just before the end of the first half with a goal by Keon Atkins in the 40th minute.
 
The Dames equalised in the 47th thanks to Kyle Gibson but Rendezvous were back in control in the 51st after Shandel Samuel found the back of the nets. Notre Dame had back-to-back goals in the 54th and 56th when Bryan Neblett and Renaldo Seale both beat the Rendezvous keeper. Atkins got his second goal on the hour to tie things up again but Gibson answered in kind by completing his brace in the 74th minute. The Dames went on to complete a five-three win with an 80th-minute shot from Zeco Edmee.
 
When Mackeson Brittons Hill and Weymouth Wales met up in the nightcap, the former ended up as one-nil winners through a goal from T’Shane Lorde in the 32nd minute. On Saturday, the new teams met up at the Wildey venue, and Phone Repair Medic beat Empire Club, one-nil, compliments a Jason Haynes-goal in the 32nd as well.

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