With the first half of the Digicel Premier League about to end, the 2012 season has seen some stiff competition.
There has been the return of the Barbados Defence Force team to top flight football, the baptism of KDJ Auto/Gatorade Dayrells Road but what has been on the tongues of football followers across the island is the re-emergence of the ever popular Weymouth Wales.
Wales has been Barbados most successful team for the last 25 years, dominating football in all competitions while producing some of the finest players the island has ever seen; players such as Anthony “Daisy” Clarke, Adrian Hall, Ainsley “Potty” Cumberbatch. They can now add current players to that list of fine players.
Wales’ success can be mounted due to the goals by Dwayne “schillachi” Stanford, arguably one of the island’s best marksmen, but he has what most teams do not; a supporting cast of very high quality.
The midfield trio of Jabarr Greene, Paul “Soup” Lovell and St Lucian national player Zaccheus Polius is the engine room for this well-oiled machine. They have provided good service to Stanford while scoring the occasional goal when needed.
Their central defensive pair of skipper Julian Mottley and Shawn Clarke has been dubbed the “dynamic duo”. These two guys work tirelessly and in sync to protect their goalkeeper while making strikers’ lives frustrating.
The key to Wales’ success however is entirely due to the guile and leadership of former national player and current coach Eric Alleyne. He has been the instructor to almost the perfect orchestra; the way his team responds to him is reminiscent of professionals with one main goal in mind and that is victory at all cost.
Mackeson Brittons Hill has made a late surge in their quest for Premiership glory. After a slow start where they had just two points from three matches, the Valery-based unit caught their groove after several positional and formational changes employed by coach Lennox Ferdinand.
One player who must be mentioned for Brittons Hill’s gradual surge to the top of the standings is 40-year-old sweeper Gregory “Lalu” Goodridge.
The former English professional commands, organizes and dictates from the back while inspiring vocally and through his action as he matches up to players twice his junior.
Brittons Hill’s strength lays in their attack with a series of former and current national attackers, such as skipper Rivere Williams, Henderson Richards, Arantes Lawrence, Walton Burrowes and Travis Coppin. if these players are to remain fit and produce the kind of performances they are capable of, and then bringing the title to Valery can be a reality in 2012.
One team which can never be excluded out of the category of title contenders is perennial champions Claytons Kola Tonic Notre Dame.
Last lifting the League trophy in 2010, the Dames finished runners-up last year after an uncharacteristic run, where they threw away some much valued points, the Bayland boys have returned with a combination of youth and experience this season.
Skipper John “Nobby” Parris has continued to lead from the front, netting five goals already this season, but one player who has finally arrived at the party is Carl Joseph. Joseph has been utilized by coach Tony Jarvis in an attacking central role, a move which has allowed Joseph to unveil his full potential, bagging four goals already for the season and splitting defenses with some fine passes.
Direct TV Paradise are known for their effective and cohesive style of play but they have fallen short of that this season. After back to back victories at Orange Hill, the Dover based unit has suffered two losses in their last two encounters, played at the National Stadium.
Christ Church neighbours Pride of Gall Hill have acquired the services of last year’s title winning coach Randolph Cox, in an effort to bring glory days back to the close knit community. His quest started brightly with an opening win over defending champions Meridian/Castrol Youth Milan but since then their performances have been rather subpar.
Youth Milan has been the other team which has been on the tongues of most but not for the usually right reasons. The 2011 champions took four games to score their first goal of the season but more important, took five to secure their first victory.
Skipper Norman Forde has been employed in various positions in an effort to find that perfect mix but most recently his role as a centre striker has paid dividends for them, gaining a maximum six points from their last two games.
A key part of the Milan puzzle has been attacking midfielder Dwayne “Boots” Griffith. His partnership with Forde and the experienced Kenroy Skinner has turned Milan’s hopes around and they are looking like title challengers again.
Bagatelle has lost some key players this season and has done quite well with the resources with which they have. They have sacrificed popular names for hard work, passion, dedication and purpose; components which have lead them to two victories in the Premiership, with one of those scalps being the defending champions.
Pinelands football is a part of Barbados’ football history, the Pine district has produced some of Barbados’ finest players; Wayne O’Neal, Colin “Potato” Forde, Colin Harewood and the list goes on. These were players, which ruled Barbados football a decade and beyond.
They must go back to the drawing board and assess themselves if they are to remain in the Digicel Premier League next season.
Lionel Paul will need the support of the other experienced players in the squad to turn around his team’s fortunes. Players such as, Tito Jones, Jarvis Forde, Randy Burrowes and despite his youth, the skillful Chad Griffith will all have to come together and dig Pinelands out of their current slump.
Newcomers Dayrells Road began their debut in fine fashion, claiming the scalp of Bagatelle. Despite being a defensive minded team, they have managed to get amongst the goals and compete with some of the best in the league.
The BDF has returned to the top flight after a year and after a relative shaky start they have rebounded to produce some stellar performances. Filled with youth, dedication and the hunger to win the young soldiers have a squad that can possibly win the title if form and luck favours them.