Still on a high after last year’s triumph, defending champions Akademiks were immediately brought back down to earth when they were beaten 2-0 by Bajan Pride in the opening match of this year’s LIME Pelican Football Challenge at the National Stadium on Sunday night.
Slimly-built striker Jomo Harewood, who came to national attention during last year’s David Thompson Memorial Constituency Councils’ Classic, when he represented St Andrew, again showcased his ability, scoring both goals for Bajan Pride.
Kick LG Strike Force also began their campaign on a victorious note with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over TS Strikers, courtesy a late goal by Terrell “Peter Pan” Gibbons, son of former Barbados striker Shurland Gibbons.
The biggest upset came in the night’s final match, however, when DirecTV?Red Snappers came from trailing 2-0 following a deflected goal by Edwin?Brereton and a penalty by Raheim Sargeant, to beat Barbados Steel Works Esso Oistins Top Bay Settlers 3-2.
What made the victory even more remarkable is that the Snappers were reduced to ten men as early as the ninth minute when defender Steven Griffith was redcarded.
While they may consider themselves somewhat lucky as Top Bay’s goalkeeper Delandro Belgrave made a mess of a regulation save on a muddy outfield following a few showers, no praise is too high for goalscorers DeCarlo Jemmott, who got a brace, and Rashad Jules.
The competition continues with another triple header on Sunday starting at 4 p.m. (EZS)