Photo: Gilroy “Bredda” Thurton
BELIZE CITY, Wed. Apr. 12, 2023
The competition is fierce going down the stretch in these last two weeks of regular season, as 6 teams are still in the race for a spot in the Top-4 playoffs of the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2022-2023 Closing Season. (See the standings below.)
Defending champs Altitude FC are struggling to make the playoffs; but they are still in the Concacaf berth discussion by virtue of their Opening Season championship. The cumulative regular season points of the champions from both the Opening and Closing seasons will be compared, and the one with the most points gets the berth in Concacaf play. Verdes FC has represented the Jewel in the past three years, and they have a back-match game in hand besides currently leading the standings, so their playoff berth is almost certain. But they must win the championship if they want a return trip to Concacaf. Altitude is almost guaranteed a win in their next outing against the hapless Bandits/International (which would keep them in the mathematical race), but the same cannot be said for any other team in contention for a playoff spot. Neither Bandits/International nor Wagiya SC are in the race, as they finish the season against each other for the cellar dweller distinction. (There is yet no relegation program in place for the PLB.)
For a recent two-game stretch, it seemed like the party was over for Belize City fans, as playoff hopeful Port Layola FC went 180 minutes without scoring a goal, and lost back to back matches in front of their home fans at the Marion Jones Sports Complex, a 1-0 loss to Police/Benque United FC on Sunday, April 2, and a 2-0 loss to Verdes FC in a Week #10 back match on Wednesday night, April 5.
But Week #12 this past weekend brought a change of fortune for the city boys who travelled to Mango Creek, Independence, and came away with a surprising 2-0 win. With all opposing defenses targeting rookie sensation Michael Palacio (who still leads the league in scoring despite having a spectacular goal against Verdes struck off the record because of a protested game), it was Port Layola’s senior striker Gilroy “Bredda” Thurton who found his groove after lackluster performances at home, and served the Mango Creek fans a goal in each half, to lead visiting Port Layola to the 2-nil victory over Altitude FC.
That was on Holy Saturday night, April 8, and in another Holy Saturday encounter, it was a late injury-time goal that gave home standing Police/Benque United a 2-1 win over Bandits/International who had taken a first half 1-nil lead and were looking for their first victory of the tournament. Jalen Myers (34’) put Bandits/Int’l ahead, but the veteran Danny Jimenez (68’) equalized in second half for Police/Benque, and their captain Anderson Cordova (90+5’) got the late game winner from a scramble in front of goal after a corner.
Some confusion with referees for the other Holy Saturday night match at Ambergris Stadium resulted in the San Pedro Pirates FC vs Verdes FC match being called off when the Verdes team was already on the island and fans anticipating some exciting action. No decision on the match has been announced yet, as the PLB and FFB, as well as the Pirates management all sent out press releases apologizing to fans for the disappointment.
In the only Sunday game, Wagiya SC apparently collapsed in front of their home fans at the Carl Ramos Stadium, where the young Progresso FC squad from Orange Walk, featuring a couple former Dangriga players, unleashed an 8-0 beating on the once formidable Wagiya. Leading Progresso in the scoring was ‘Griga native and former PLB Best Young Player, Jonard Castillo with 4 goals (27’, 48’, 64’ & 87’). Other Progresso goals were by Marlon Gutierrez (2’), Kyle Budna (45’ & 70’) and Abner Howard 75’).
The numbers game is really tight in this race to the Top-4 playoffs, and it may come down to goal difference.
Upcoming Week 13 schedule:
Saturday, April 15
7:30 p.m. – Police/Benque United vs Wagiya SC – Marshalleck Stadium
7:30 p.m. – Bandits/International vs Altitude FC – Isidoro Beaton Stadium
Sunday, April 16
4:00 p.m. – Port Layola FC vs San Pedro Pirates FC – Marion Jones Sports Complex
4:00 p.m. – Verdes FC vs Progresso FC
On Saturday, Police/Benque are expected to prevail over Wagiya, and Altitude is favored to get the victory over Bandits/International.
Sunday will feature the real fireworks. Port Layola vs San Pedro Pirates is a monster match-up at the Marion Jones; and Verdes vs Progresso is another colossal clash at the Norman Broaster.
Looking ahead to Week 14 to end regular season:
Saturday, April 22
7:30 p.m. – Police/Benque United vs San Pedro Pirates FC – Marshalleck Stadium
7:30 p.m. Altitude FC vs Verdes FC – M.A. Stadium in Independence
Sunday, April 23
3:30 p.m. – Progresso FC vs Port Layola FC – People’s Stadium
4:00 p.m. – Wagiya SC vs Bandits/International – Carl Ramos Stadium