A HAT-TRICK by Barbados’ Under-17 player Shakille Belle in Ellerton’s 4-2 ousting of Premier League side Dayrells Road Sunday was followed by star-studded OKG Rendezvous’ 11-0 annihilation of Shawn Hope United.
But it was Mario Harte’s goal from a laser-like shot which sent football fans home into ecstasy.
Harte capped an action packed night of the KFC Champions Cup knockout triple header at the Wildey AstroTurf with a thunderous 82nd minute strike to give title holders, Barbados Defence Force (BDF), a 2-0 triumph over a spirited Division 1 Silver Sands. BDF’s coach Asquith Howell’s substitution of midfielder Dwayne O’Garro in the
32nd minute paid off, as his replacement Nicholas “Rat” Best wasted little time in slotting home Harte’s cross (44th minute) to give BDF a 1-0 half-time lead. Silver Sands responded with a substitution when Jason Sealy replaced Travis McPherson at half-time.
But as Silver Sands, through Jamel Pinder, were desperately searching for the equalizer in the second half, Howell wisely brought on another defender in Jason Lovell for striker Kyle Gibson to thwart the Christ Church’s side attack.
Harte sealed the outcome when he picked up a pass from Best and with Sealy retreating, he unleashed a low 20-yard missile which flew past Silver Sands’ goalkeeper Rhon Cox at the right post.
Earlier, St Vincent and the Grenadines’ national captain Shandel Samuel led the goal feast with a beaver trick in the 8th, 12th, 23rd and 55th minutes of the lopsided encounter.
Two other Vincy Heat national players, Myron Samuel (46th and 67th) and Romano Snagg (65th and 79th), who set up at least three of the goals, had double strikes. Veteran Gregory “Lalu” Goodridge (53rd); Barbados captain Jeffrey Williams (60th) and substitute Terry Odle (77th) completed the scoring for Rendezvous.
The scoreline could have been greater but Shawn Hope United’s goalkeeper Kareem Worrell made some fantastic saves late in the match, while Damal Francis, desperate for a goal, missed a penalty just before the final whistle.
In the evening’s first game, Ellerton compounded Dayrells Road’s woes and to further add to their misery, Brian Bynoe and Shane Annibaffa were both red-carded by referee Azard Weekes in injury time.
Belle opened the scoring for Ellerton after just two minutes but dreadlocked striker Alvin “Cobbler” Welch (30th and 34th) struck twice in four-minute span to give Dayrells Road a 2-1 half-time lead.
Romario Watson equalized in the 61st minute, converting a penalty, then missed two easy chances to extend the lead.
Belle, the 16-year-old Lester Vaughan student, just back from the CONCACAF finals in Panama with the unsuccessful national Under-17 team, added goals in the 74th and 85th minutes to give Ellerton victory.
A brave Belle rode a challenge from Dayrells Roads’ advancing goalkeeper Fabian Smith and easily tucked home the rebound after it ricocheted off his body towards the goal line.
However, his third goal was a gem as he turned and powerfully hit a swerving left foot shot into the far corner.
Ellerton will next play Haynesville, while Rendezvous meet Parish Land and BDF have a showdown with Premiership kings Weymouth Wales in the round of 16.
