BELIZE CITY, Mon. Feb. 16, 2015–With defending champions Belmopan Bandits resting, 4 games were scheduled for yesterday, Sunday, in Week 3 of the Premier League of Belize (PLB) Closing Season 2014-2015, but only 3 games were actually played, as a sudden downpour in P.G. forced the cancellation of the game between home standing King Energy/Freedom Fighters and Placencia Texmar Assassins.
At the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan, home team Belize Defence Force (BDF) bombed San Ignacio United, 5-nil, with goals from Ricky Ricketts (14’), James Flores (15’), Andrew Allen (57’) and Adgar Adderley (67’), who was reportedly just signed up with BDF last week. BDF are now at the top of the standings. ( See standings below.)
Meanwhile, here at the MCC Grounds in Belize City, the young Wagiya team from Dangriga came away with an exciting 3-2 win over home standing FC Belize. Byron Chavez (26’) gave Wagiya the 1-nil first half lead as his right foot shot from the edge of the eighteen sailed over the outstretched hands of veteran FC Belize goalie Elroy “Zabble” Rowley and sank in the left corner. Speedy left winger Shantylee Castillo (67’) made it 2-nil as he finished his breakaway run with a well placed right foot lob into the right corner past an advancing Rowley. It could have been 3-nil, but the wily Zabble guessed correctly and went to his right to stop a penalty awarded by referee Irfan Basdemir, after FC Belize defender Carlos Lino had taken down Shanty inside the eighteen.
Ernest Flores (75’) gave FC Belize hope with his fine header off a free kick, but another penalty was soon awarded against them, and this time Devin Burgess had Zabble going the wrong way, as he placed in low in the left corner, to give Wagiya the 3-1 lead. FC Belize got a break, when consecutive red cards were issued to Wagiya players Shanty Castillo and Owen Nunez, leading to a 2-man FC Belize advantage for the last 20 minutes of ball game. Luis Arriola’s (83’) strike for FC Belize made it a 3-2 ball game, but they failed to get the equalizer, as Wagiya held on for the 3-2 road win.
Out west at the Norman Broaster Stadium, the big weekend match-up ended 2-1 in favor of visiting Police United over previously league leading Verdes FC. Goal scorers for Police were Harrison “Cafu” Roches (43’) and a familiar name that has long been away from the scorer’s column, Danny Jimenez (50’); while Verdes’s only goal came from recent addition, Delroy “Tin Man” Andrews (79’).
The Week 3 back match between King Energy/Freedom Fighters and Placencia Texmar Assassins will reportedly be played this Wednesday night.
Upcoming Week 3 back match and Week 4 schedule:
Wed. Feb. 18, Week 3 back match
7:30 p.m. – King Energy/Fdm. Fighters vs Placencia Texmar Assassins – Toledo Union Field
Saturday, February 21, Wk 4
7:30 p.m. – Police United vs BDF – Isidoro Beaton Stadium
7:30 p.m. – Placencia Texmar Assassins vs FC Belize – Michael Ashcroft Stadium
Sunday, February 22, Wk 4
3:30 p.m. – King Energy/Fdm. Fighters vs Verdes FC – Toledo Union Field
3:30 p.m. – San Ignacio United vs Belmopan Bandits – Norman Broaster Stadium