The decision to rest their more seasoned footballers for the Williams Equipment Preseason Cup backfired when double-crown Premier League champions Weymouth Wales were eliminated following a 1-0 defeat to Paradise at Dover on Sunday night.
In the night’s other match, Crane & Equipment Ellerton rallied to a 4-2 victory over Porey Spring through a Shakille Belle hat-trick.
The win sent Ellerton to the top of Zone 2, with the losers dropping to second place after the third week of games in the inaugural competition.
A delightful curler in the top right corner by Armando Lashley in the 17th minute proved enough to defeat Weymouth Wales, who played like an eliminated team for some spells but were still solid enough to deny Paradise further joy, especially from a hat-trick of chances for Dario Harewood.
The loss meant the youthful Wales side failed to secure any wins or score any goals in the tournament.
Paradise drew level on points with Porey Spring but their inferior goal difference meant they stayed in third, leaving the gutsy St Thomas rookies awaiting the results from the other zones to evaluate their chances of moving on to the semi-finals next Sunday as the best second-placed team.
Ellerton, fresh off a 5-0 humbling of Wales, tried to impose their strong passing and link-up play early on, while Porey Spring focused on remaining resolute in defence and striking on the counter attack.
Shamar Edwards broke the deadlock in the 25th minute for Porey Spring after some good wing play. He returned to haunt the goalkeeper three minutes later with an improvised finish to set his team on the way to what looked like a perfect record and top spot in Zone 2.
Just on the stroke of half-time, they failed to deal with a ball in their box, and an unmarked Damien Walcott scored at the back post to reduce the deficit.
It was the first goal Porey Spring had conceded on their cup run.
In the second half, Ellerton’s pressing style reaped rewards when they won a penalty in the 74th minute. Ace striker Belle confidently dispatched the spot kick and in so doing, swung the game in his team’s favour.
Then the heavens opened up and it was raining goals. Belle struck a low drive into the back of the net in the 88th minute to send his team ahead for the first time. He completed his hat-trick and sealed a dramatic win for Ellerton, with a classy free kick which travelled under the wall and slipped beneath the goalkeeper in the first minute of stoppage time. (NM)
