THE Barbados Defence Force (BDF) football team’s impressive run of form came to an end on Thursday night at the National Stadium, when they went down 2-1 to Mackeson Brittons Hill, who got a brace from striker Walton Burrowes.
In the other Digicel Premier League encounter KDJ Auto/Gatorade Dayrells Road surprisingly defeated DirecTV Paradise 2-0.
Paradise showed obvious signs of fatigue, playing their third game in less than a week, but Dayrells Road played with determination and displayed a quick free flowing brand of football.
Tristan Parris opened the scoring in the 44th minute to continue his flurry of goals in his debut season in the Premiership. Curtis Odle wrapped up the win for Dayrells Road in the 85th minute from the penalty spot after he was brought down in the area.
Paradise will have to face their next match without the services of national defender Barry Skeete, who was sent off in the 63rd minute for his second bookable offence.
The defeat was a setback for BDF, who had been gaining ground on table leaders Weymouth Wales (29 points), but will remain on 22 points, the same as Brittons Hill.
The soldiers gained the lead in rather controversial circumstances in the 13th minute. A long ball was thumped down the field into Mario Harte, who seemingly handled the ball but referee Edwin Adams thought otherwise, and the forward went on to score from close range.
Brittons Hill enjoyed a fine spell of attack but were unable to crack the resolute and fearless BDF defence or get past custodian Saheka Duke who gave an A-class performance on the night.
Brittons Hill finally drew level in the 74th minute with a great counter-attacking move. BDF scuffed a free kick and Brittons Hill broke to the left with pace, with the final ball coming from a cross on the left side, which was converted by Burrowes.
Burrowes scored his and Brittons Hill’s second in the 83rd minute, drilling a right-foot shot into the roof from eight yards after Duke pulled off a brilliant save from a Luther Watson shot.
