The opening rounds of the Barbados Football Association’s 2010 Women’s League provided plenty of pulsating action and a whopping 17 goals in three matches on Sunday.
In spite of a low-keyed build-up to the start of the season, a good crowd of family and friends turned out at the University of the West Indies’ artificial turf in Black Rock for the double-header where the 2006 champions Eve Genesis blanked the Barbados Women’s Football Academy 7-0. Shanice Stephenson scored a hattrick.
UWI might have been expecting the home turf advantage and four inductees from Genesis would have turned around their fortunes of previous seasons. However, in spite of scoring first against the National Sports Council, UWI also scored second, an own goal, to see NSC taking the encounter 3-1.
It was real grass at the Desmond Haynes Oval but the field was equally immaculately laid out for the three-time queens, 8000 Inc Digicel RBC Carlton Pro Shottas who disposed of Technique 5-1 with a hattrick from former hockey star Patrina Brathwaite.
With favourites Pro Shottas on show, the expected large goup of supporters were there to give support.
Except for some late-game fading, the players looked keen to ensure that the 2010 season will not be just a battle between Genesis and Pro Shottas.
With matches slated for UWI, Carlton, Bridgefield, Boscobel, Lester Vaughn, the National Stadium and Speightown, the entire island will get a chance to see the women display their football skills on the way to the championship. (BA)
