Police sits pretty on top of the standings at mid-point of PLB Closing Season

With the FFB taking over the management of the Premier League of Belize (PLB) Belikin Cup Closing Season tournament, there have been a few glitches in the communication flow. There was an error in our Week 4 report last week, where the Police United goal in their 1-0 win over Verdes at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium on Saturday, March 22, was by Harrison “Cafu” Roches, not by Harrison Tasher as erroneously reported. Tasher plays for BDF.

Catching up with Week 5 mid-week games on Wednesday, March 26. At the Marshalleck Stadium, FC Belize dropped home standing Verdes by the same 2-1 score as on that controversial semifinal night in January. FC Belize goals were by Leon “Chow” Cadle (30’ PK) and Francisco Briceno (52’); while Verdes’ sole tally was by Marlon “El Matador” Meza (52’ PK). Down in Punta Gorda, a late goal by Clifton West (88’) gave visiting Police United the 1-0 win over Paradise/Freedom Fighters. And in Dangriga, BDF got a goal in each half by Frederick Flores (21’) and Shane Flores (83’), respectively, to beat visiting San Ignacio United, 2-0.

Then in Week 6 on Saturday night, March 29, at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium, Police shocked BDF, 4-1, with goals from Amin “Tacos” August, Jr. (60’), Danny Jimenez (67’) and Clifton West (69’ & 84’); with the late BDF goal coming from Leonard Valdez (89’ PK). On Sunday at the Norman Broaster Stadium, home standing San Ignacio United held Belmopan Bandits to a 1-1 draw. Goalkeeper Woodrow West (34’ PK) put Bandits in front, and Edwani Munoz (82’) equalized for San Ignacio. Also on Sunday, here at the MCC Grounds in Belize City it was a 0-0 draw between visiting Paradise/Freedom Fighters and FC Belize, as both goalkeepers, Elroy “Zabble” Rowley for FC Belize and Stephen Polonio for the Freedom Fighters had to work hard to keep their opponents scoreless. Zabble has replaced a reportedly injured Glenford Chimilio in goal for the last two FC Belize outings.

The first round of regular season ended with Week 7 mid-week games last night, Wednesday, April 2; and Police sits pretty at the top of the standings with their 5th win while maintaining an unbeaten record.

At the Isidoro Beaton Stadium last night, defending champion Belmopan Bandits, who are also undefeated, got a late goal from Brandon Peyrefitte (83’) to turn back BDF, 1-0. Farther west at the Norman Broaster Stadium, it was Police United, 2-1, over home standing San Ignacio United. Amin “Tacos” August, Jr. (8’) and Danny Jimenez (47’) shook the net for Police, while Anthony Gonzalez (14’) got the sole tally for San Ignacio. And down south at the Toledo Union Field, visiting Verdes FC came away with a 1-nil win over Paradise/Freedom Fighters, courtesy of a second half strike from Richard “Cheety” Jimenez (68’).

Upcoming Week 8 schedule:

Saturday, April 5, Week 8
7:30 p.m. – Verdes FC vs Belmopan Bandits FC – Marshalleck Stadium

Sunday, April 6
3:30 p.m. – San Ignacio United FC vs FC Belize – Norman Broaster Stadium
4:00 p.m. – Paradise/Freedom Fighters vs Belize Defence Force FC – Toledo Union Field
(Police United FC resting)