Football: Teams slipping into pole position in Guardian Group tourney

Things are starting to take shape at the top of the zones in the Guardian Group Youth Tournament. With the fourth week of competition coming to a close this past Sunday clubs are setting up themselves to secure spots in the play-offs.

In the SOS Under-9, the Barbados Youth Service kept things clean in Zone A to remain unbeaten at the top of that group. On Saturday, they pulled out a sound 4-1 win over Mavericks Fire at the Wildey Turf. It was a double-delight as Tarell Nightengale and Rakario Sandiford both had braces to bring up the total while Jaylen Gibson gave Mavericks their consolation.

In Zone B, Kick Start Hot Shots lead the standings with four wins in as many games. They rounded out their latest win with a massive 8-0 win when they squared off against Launfal Soccer Academy. Led by a beaver-trick from Jacob Gollop, a hat-trick from Harry Smith and a single goal from Beau Washington set up the Hot Shots for the victory.

The action continued at the Barclays ground for the Rejuvenator Under-11 and Kick Start Shooters run things in Zone A. They are unbeaten after three games and this past Saturday, they added half-a-dozen goals to their tally as they beat Launfal Soccer Academy six goals to one. With Jamario Yarde scoring the lone goal for Launfal, it was three from Seth Jordan and one each from Jordan Bryan, Matthieu Clarke and Nathaniel Denny that sealed the deal.

In Zone B, All Star Elite added two wins on the day to their tally to get up to four. Going up against Pinelands Academy, two goals from Reuben Jacobs saw them to the finish line ahead of their opponents who had just one from Shakoby Brathwaite. The other game saw them picking up three goals and three points without having to kick a single ball as Youth Milan defaulted.

Kick Start Hammers jumped to the top of the Liberator Under-13 Zone A standings on Saturday with a 7-1 win over Pro Shottas. Three goals from Khalil Vanderpool-Nurse, two from Zion Nurse and one each from Jayden Greenidge and Toby Dottin rounded out the performance while Zaccheo Quimby-Ward was the man to score for Pro Shottas.

The National Sports Council Blenheim Ballers lead Zone B and racked up their third straight win with an 8-0 result against Barbados Youth Service. National Under-15 players Saschen Marshall, Kishmar Ramsay and Khimani Cox were all on the score sheet, claiming three, three and two goals respectively.

In the Praesidia Under-15, Flow Pro Shottas knocked down the Kick Start Gunners in a five-nil game at Meadow Road to see themselves to a third unbeaten encounter. With Zuhri Morris and Tajio James both scoring braces, the other goal came from Joshua Mason. In Zone B, Mavericks Fire have similar stats and picked up their third win at the expense White Hall at Parkinson Field. A goal each from Jaheim Headley and Kemar John left White Hall stunned and unable to reply.

The IPI Under-17 division sees Mavericks Fire at the top of things with four wins in as many games. Their latest came on Saturday as they dispatched RBC Capital Markets Barbados Soccer Academy by two goals. With BSA netting through the efforts of Shackron Jack and Tarique Bailey, two from Jahmali Hutson and one each from Nikiel Simpson and Kobia Hamblin put Mavericks on four for the win.