Mackeson Brittons Hill will be going after their first victory of the season tonight when they face neighbours Sporting Bet Pinelands in the feature Digicel Premier League football match at the National Stadium.
Brittons Hill have underachieved over the past decade with just one knockout crown in 2007 and their second Premiership title in 2009, despite having a galaxy of stars on their roster.
And already this season, they have disappointed their supporters, losing their opening match 1-2 to the newly promoted St John Sonnets and playing to a goalless draw with Pride of Gall Hill.
Pinelands will be on a high after their 2-1 victory over Bagatelle at Bridgefield last Sunday and won’t be easy prey for Brittons Hill.
The Pinelands’ defence, marshaled by former national player Randy Burrowes, has been fortified with the addition of Omar Primus and Jarvis Forde but it could be kept busy by the new Brittons Hill’s strike pair of the roving Randy Barnes and Walton Burrowes as Riviere Williams and Hendy Richards continue to recuperate from their injuries.
As usual, Pinelands’ two key men will be former national striker Peter Stoute and talented midfielder Lionel Paul, whose focus should be on regaining a place in the Barbados side.
Pinelands also have a couple of promising players such as Damien Welch and striker Dario Wilson and these will test the ageing legs of Gregory “Lalu” Goodridge and Luther Watson.
In the early absence of the skillful Rondelle Vaughan, Zakigah Samuel has been given the key midfield role, along with new captain Jeffrey Williams, who will be looking to not only set up goals, but find the back of the nets.
In the opening match at 4 p.m., St John Sonnets, after their upset win over Brittons Hill to get the season going, will now be hunting another big scalp when they oppose defending champions, Claytons Kola Tonic Notre Dame.
In the second game at 6 p.m, Gall Hill, who have had a good start to the season with a victory over Ellerton and a draw with Brittons Hill, will be looking to send new boys Bagatelle crashing to their third straight defeat.
But Bagatelle, even though they are yet to win at this level, have shown some flashes of brilliance and on their day, can cause an upset.
