BELIZE CITY, Mon. Oct. 1, 2012
Week 6, the first of four out-of-zone clashes, is in the books, and the race keeps getting hotter and more interesting in this Premier League of Belize 2012-2013 Opening Tournament.
The fans came out in numbers at the MCC yesterday, and they were treated to the appearance in the R.G. City Boys United line-up of Belize’s number one striker Deon McCaulay, just back from the U.S. Deon’s presence was felt early in the game, as he assisted Dalton Cayetano with the go-ahead goal for City Boys at the 5th minute of action, but they couldn’t hold on to the lead. F.C. Belize proved the better in cohesive team play, especially in midfield, and they stole the show, with goals coming from David Ramos (14 min), Leon “Chou” Cadle (45 min) and exciting rookie John King (57 min). It ended 3-1 in favor of F.C. Belize, who remain the only undefeated team in the competition. Meanwhile, out west at the Norman Broaster Stadium, Belize Defence Force and Verdes FC ended nil-nil. Up north at the Louisiana Field in Orange Walk, home standing Juventus came back from a 1-nil deficit to clip San Ignacio United FC, 2-1, with goals from Gilderado Cervantes (62 min) and Norman “Tilliman” Nunez (84 min PK). San Ignacio had taken the lead in first half on a 28th minute from Joel Guzman. Also up north on Sunday, at the San Felipe Football Field, all the goals came in 2nd half, as home squad FC San Felipe Barcelona took a 2-nil lead over defending champs Placencia Assassins with goals from Orvin Wade (53 min) and Oscar Accevedo (70 min), before the Assassins came fighting back with two late goals from Ashley Torres (84 & 87 min), for the 2-2 final score.
Earlier in the weekend, on Saturday night at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium, Belmopan Bandits turned back visiting Paradise/Freedom Fighters, 3-0, with goals from David Trapp (42 min), David Madrid (51 min) and Gilbert “Hoof” Swaso (56 min). Meanwhile, after a scoreless first half under very dim lights at the MCC, Police United FC dropped San Pedro Seadogs, 3-1, with goals from Evan Mariano (59 min), Francis Budna (84 min) and Lennox “Criminal” Castillo (88 min). San Pedro’s consolation goal came in injury time on a spectacular right footed volley by Francisco Reyes from just inside the eighteen.
Week 7 schedule (all out-of-zone):
Saturday, October 6
7:30 p.m. – Paradise/Freedom Fighters vs San Pedro Seadogs – Michael Ashcroft Stadium
7:30 p.m. – Verdes FC vs Belmopan Bandits – Marshalleck Stadium
7:30 p.m. – Police United FC vs F.C. Belize – Isidoro Beaton Stadium
7:30 p.m. – San Ignacio United FC vs FC San Felipe Barcelona – Norman Broaster Stadium
Sunday, October 7
4:00 p.m. – Placencia Assassins vs BDF – Placencia Football Field
4:00 p.m. – R.G. City Boys United vs Juventus FC – MCC Grounds
Talk about some monster match-ups! When last has a semipro season been so hot so early?