It’s back!
Barbados’ most lucrative football tournament, the LIME Pelican Football Challenge began its second year Sunday in front of an appreciative crowd at Kensington Oval.
Once again, $100 000 will be at stake, and with two new teams in the mix, and players from the Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme (BDFSP) participating, this year’s competition is expected to be even bigger and better.
It marked the first time preliminary games were being played at “The Mecca”’ because of renovations at the National Stadium.
The move is expected to significantly increase the standard of the football given the better quality of the playing surface.
A crowd, estimated to be in the region of 1 500 watched the opening matches, and these numbers are expected to increase as the tournament progresses.
Playing in the second game of a triple header, defending champions Bajan Pride started their title defence in fine style when they edged out Bajan Elite 1-0, while Akademiks also began their quest for glory in positive fashion, blanking LG Strike Force 2-0.
In the night’s other game, Combined All Stars and TS Strikers shared the spoils with the score locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes of play.
Playing for Combined All Stars, Tristan “Fishy” Parris had the honour of scoring the first goal in this year’s competition, but it was Mario Harte’s brilliant free kick which will probably be most remembered.
With Akademiks already leading 1-0, Harte drilled a low, powerful 20-metre free kick into the back of the nets two minutes from time to give his side a two-goal cushion.
Matches continue on Sunday with 360 Connection taking on Sports Town Galaxy at 5 p.m, Top Bay Settlers up against Red Tridents at 7 p.m, while Red Snappers and Fire House will play in the nightcap at 9 p.m.
