On a night of close contests and a couple controversial decisions in the Digicel Premier League, title favourites Weymouth Wales posted their sixth straight victory to open a seven-point lead at the top of the standings with maximum 18 points.
Wales’ dream start to the 2012 football season continued on Sunday when they prevailed 2-1 over their fellow St Michael rivals, Claytons Kola Tonic Notre Dame in the feature match at the National Stadium.
But the Carrington Village-based side, hunting a top-flight League crown since winning the last of their record 14 titles in 1986, had to show their mettle after conceding an early goal.
The Dames took the lead after 11 minutes when John ”Nobby” Parris converted his fourth penalty of the season after goalkeeper Bentley Springer clumsily brought down Dwayne Mars after he had slipped through Wales’ defence.
But Wales equalized in the 32nd minute when Dwayne Stanford delivered the perfect cross from the right side which the experienced Paul “Soup” Lovell powerfully headed past Dames’ custodian Carlisle Gill.
It just wasn’t Dames night as coach Tony Jarvis had to make two first half substitutions, replacing an injured Mars and returning former Barbados striker Ryan Lucas.
Wales got their winner in the 76th minute when eagle-eyed referee’s assistant Mark Moses spotted a handled ball by Parris and referee Desmond Edwards pointed to the penalty spot.
After a delay in which a couple of Dames’ players were booked, Stanford stepped up and coolly placed the spot kick to Gill’s left for his seventh goal of the Premiership.
The Dames thought they had a second penalty in injury time when central defender Shawn Clarke tripped Bryan Neblett but Edwards ruled that the infringement was committed inches outside the 18-yard box and awarded a free kick.
In the opening game, KDJ Auto Parts Dayrells Road edged Gall Hill 1-0 to record thir second win of the season, courtesy a late goal by midfielder Brian Bynoe.
Mackeson Brittons Hill also defeated Bagatelle 1-0 to move into second position on 11 points.
The winning goal in the hard-fought encounter came in the 71st minute from a thunderous shot by veteran Luther Watson, which sped past goalkeeper Mario Albert.
In last Thursday’s action, DirecTV Paradise beat newcomers Dayrells Road 3-0 at Orange Hill.
Mustafa Haqq scored in the 18th, and Shane Callender added one in the 58th minute before Haqq completed the rout in the 73rd.
