STAR-STUDDED Rendezvous of Division Two have a chance to shine on the new Wildey AstroTurf tonight against the Premier League’s Families First St John Sonnets.
Rendezvous, who have been scoring at will, will not only get their boots wet on the fast and smooth artificial field but their collection of past and present Barbados and St Vincent national footballers should receive their biggest test of the season.
The eagerly-awaited showdown at 8 p.m. in the KFC Champions Cup is the final match of a knockout triple-header. It will be preceded by a 4 p.m. encounter between arch-rivals Kick Start and Carlton, followed by a clash between last year’s losing knockout finalists Mackeson Brittons Hill and the University of the West Indies at 6 p.m.
But all eyes will be on Rendezvous, who have attracted a big following during their Division 2 campaign this season and who have not let down their fans.
In their opening match, they thrashed the Barbados Youth Service 5-1 and followed up with a 5-0 drubbing of Ivy Rovers before blanking Eden Stars 10-0 and trouncing Sargeant’s 7-1.
Rendezvous will be hoping to improve on last year’s showing in the knockout when they ousted now relegated Premiership side Bagatelle and reached the quarter-finals before losing to Silver Sands.
Even though Sonnets have not won any of their Premiership matches this season, they are expected to lift their standard of play against a side with the reputation of Rendezvous, who are playing an attractive brand of soccer, highlighted by a creative one-touch game.
The St John side will have to work hard to keep the likes of St Vincent captain Shandel Samuel and his cousin, Myron Samuel, from scoring.
Apart from these two, there are also two skillful Vincentians in Romano Snagg and Damal Francis, who will be orchestrating Rendezvous’ plays in midfield, along with Barbados’ captain Jeffrey Williams, Gregory “Lalu” Goodridge and former national Paul “Soup” Lovell.
Howell will also be depending on his two main defenders, Alex Belgrave and the experienced Ken Harewood, along with Davidson Padmore to thwart the efforts of Rendezvous’ forwards.
Rendezvous, who made significant gains on the transfer market this season, have recruited one of Barbados’ best goalkeepers in Kerry Holder, while veterans Floyd Bailey and Wayne Sobers, two of Barbados’ best central defenders in the last 15 years, will marshal the defence.
Sonnets’ attack will be led by veteran Jefferson “Butler” White, the diminutive Zico Mascoll and Andre “Twin Man” Blades while Damian Husbands, a former Barbados Under-23 player, will shoulder the midfield responsibilities.
In the middle match, Brittons Hill, with their formidable striking quartet of captain Riviere Williams, Walton Burrowes, Arantees Lawrence and Hendy Richards, should be too strong for UWI.
But this is knockout football and the UWI outfit, coached by former Barbados captain Ricardo “Cracker” Goddard, have players such as Fabian Massiah and Randall Jordan and should not be under-estimated.
In the opener, Kick Start, who edged Carlton 1-0 when the teams met in the Division 2 play-off last year to gain promotion to Division 1, will be looking to be victorious again.
Even though Kick Start have lost some of their better known players either to Premier League clubs or overseas scholarship, they still have some exciting young players such as goalkeeper-cum striker Corey Bridgeman, central defender Keiron Cox and midfielder Amal Mayers.
Julez Broomes, who recently resigned as Barbados’ technical director and has taken up a similar role with Kick Start, could also be playing as a striker as well as coach/player Barry Bourne.
With Zari Prescod on an overseas scholarship, Carlton’s line-up should include players such as Andre Leslie, Tito Grazette and Kyson Forde.