BLESSINGS. The Barbados Football Association’s (BFA) Premiership has pleased and excited the fans with some entertaining soccer with lots of goals. The switch to the Wildey AstroTurf from the bumpy National Stadium pitch has been a blessing in disguise.
The players seem more comfortable with the even bounce and are shooting consistently better. A total of 225 goals has been scored in 64 matches.
The standings reveal that five teams are still title contenders, with four trying to avoid relegation.
Glamour team Rendezvous are the present leaders on 29 points from 12 matches, closely followed by Weymouth Wales on 27 points from 13 matches. New boys UWI Blackbirds are third with 24 points from 12 matches. Defending champions BDF Sports Programme have 23 points from 13 matches but have flattered to deceive so far.
Brittons Hill have improved significantly and are now fifth with 23 points from 13 matches. The relegation picture is quite interesting, with Gall Hill on seven points from 13 matches, Silver Sands seven points from 14 matches, Notre Dame 13 points from 12 matches and Pinelands 11 points from 12 matches all battling to get away from the bottom to avoid demotion to Division 1. Paradise are mid-table on 17 points from 13 matches.
Top goal scorers at this time are Rendezvous with 36 goals and BDF Sports Programme with 34 while Pinelands have conceded 41 goals and Silver Sands 40.
The top three individual goal scorers are Myron Samuels and Dwayne Stanford with 12 followed by Shandel Samuels with ten.
Weymouth Wales remain the only unbeaten team in the Premiership. The two newly promoted teams, Rendezvous and UWI, must be complimented for their refreshing brand of soccer. Gall Hill have been totally disappointing while defending champions BDF have lacked consistency and at times look less than professional.
Former champions Notre Dame are not the force of before and will need to scout for some new talent for the 2016 season.
Gall Hill, who once had a “bomb” squad with lots of national players, may have to wheel and come again as they have looked out of sorts.
In general, the season has gone very well, with the fans coming out in their numbers. The intimate setting at the Widley AstroTurf is good for the game and the tight security spot-on.
The referees have also shown a high level of consistency, with Gillian Martindale (FIFA women’s referee) leading the way. Mark “Bob” Forde, the referees’ development officer, and Barry Callender, chairman of referees’ committee, must be given a thumbs-up for their leadership and guidance.
With six rounds of matches remaining, I believe we will be in for a dramatic and exciting finish at the top and bottom with a lot more goals.
In related news, Youth Milan, Empire, Belfield, Porey Spring, Ellerton and Crompton are the teams seeking to gain promotion, but former Premiership team Dayrells Road seem destined for Division Two.
• Keith “Grell” Griffith BSS, is a former Barbados football captain, coach and technical advisor.
