Premier League teams get first pick in Capelli Cup

THE teams at the top tier of local football are the ones that have hit the ground running in the inaugural Capelli Sports Super Cup as they have been the ones picking up points. With the tournament getting off the ground this past Sunday night, it has been the sides who have played in this past season’s Premier League that are enjoying the early spoils of the competition.

St. Andrew Lions were the first to break the ice with a 2-0 win over Division 1’s Whitehall Titans. In the first game of the tournament on Sunday at the Wildey Turf, the Lions had a goal on either side of the break with Akeem Ramsey netting in the 20th minute while Shakir Skeete added the second in the 63rd.

Sunday’s other game saw the brand new top flight promotees, Wotton, getting a taste of the big leagues as they were handed a 4-1 defeat by Youth Milan, who were given their walking papers back to Division 1 this year. Wotton looked to be taking to the Premier League nicely as they opened the scoring in the 37th through Reco Baptiste, but Milan found their footing and fired back in the second half as Romario Drakes (50th), Jeffrey King (60th), Antonio Griffith (71st) and Shamar Atkinson (94th) all beat the keeper.

On Monday night, it was the turn of Silver Sands FC, who found their way back to the Premier League after spending last season in Division 1. They decimated the newly-promoted Technique FC, who just fought their way to the top of their group in Division 3. The disparity was clear as day as Silver Sands blasted seven unanswered goals into the nets. Renaldo Sargeant got the ball rolling as early as the 2nd minute of the game, while Kemar Ward added the second in the 25th minute. Derrine Gale-Forde chipped in with a hat-trick of goals in the 28th, 41st and 85th minutes, while his feat was punctuated by shots from Rashon Inniss (52nd) and Donte McClean (68th).

The other game on the night saw the University of the West Indies Blackbirds picking up a 3-1 win over Pinelands, who topped Zone 3 in Division 2 last season. Although he did not make an impact in the national team the day before when they faced St. Kitts and Nevis, Niall Reid-Stephen was clearly energised as he knocked home all three goals for the Blackbirds with strikes in the 10th, 15th and 44th to see his side with a hefty lead at the break. Devonte Richards gave Pinelands their consolation in the 57th.

Long-time Premier League fixtures, Brittons Hill, found it somewhat easy going on Tuesday night against Division 1’s Central League Spartans who finished fourth in the group in Division 1 last season. With the encounter ending at 3-1, Terrence Coppin was the hero on the night with the hat-trick (24th, 43rd, 45th) with the third coming at the penalty spot. Just before that one, Central League got their lone goal from a penalty kick converted by Kevon Dottin.

Tuesday’s nightcap saw Porey Spring and Pride of Gall Hill breaking even with a goal apiece. With Porey Spring relegated at the end of last season and Gall Hill finishing third in Zone 2, both sides were about evenly matched and it showed in the result. Shaquon Welch struck first for Gall Hill in the 20th, but Damion Thorington found the equaliser for Porey Spring in the 33rd.

The action continued last night at the Wildey Turf with the next set of games slated for Saturday and Sunday night.