SMJ Cool Runnings take top spot in commercial league

With defending champions Crystal Cove Hotel giving up on doing the double after being dismissed at the quarterfinal stage of the 2016 Barbados Commercial League Festival of Football, SMJ Cool Runnings stepped up to the plate and went all the way. When the curtain came down on the festival this past Sunday, the new champions proved their worth to take their second title at the Bagatelle Sports Complex.

 

SMJ won over Chickmont Foods who were first to book their spot in the final earlier in the evening. That semi-final saw Chickmont and the Sanitation Service Authority playing to a goalless draw at the end of regulation time. With the game going into penalties, Chickmont came out on top scoring six times from the spot to SSA’s five.

 

SMJ, who won the title back in 2013, moved into the final with a two-one win over Sandals Barbados Resort. SMJ struck first with a goal from Shamar Stevenson in the 10th minute. They gave Sandals a chance to draw level with a penalty in the 21st and Dario Wilson made good on the opportunity. Half an hour after their first goal, SMJ struck again to tip the scales in their favour. Jamal Alleyne had the nets rocking in the 40th with the game-winner to see his team advance.

 

The final was an open-and-shut affair as SMJ knocked two unanswered goals past the Chickmont keeper. Mario Williams was responsible for both shots, beating the custodian in the fourth and 21st minutes. The SSA secured third-place honours with a two-one win over Sandals. Sandals’ goal came from Stefan Bowen while SSA’s were sent home by Shawn Wharton and Reniko Williams.