BELIZE CITY, Wed. Apr. 17, 2024
It was an all-Saturday night affair in Week 13 of the Premier League of Belize (PLB) as the race for the Top-4 playoff spots winds down. Verdes FC is assured of the #1 seed, but, though Port Layola FC dropped to the #4 spot with their loss to Benque United FC on Saturday, the situation could turn around in the final week of regular season this weekend, when it will be an all-Sunday affair, all 4 matches scheduled to kick off at 4:00 p.m. Four teams are already sure to see playoff action (See standings below.), but the seedings could change depending on the results in Week 14 this coming Sunday.
On Saturday night, April 13, at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium, home standing Bandits Sports led 3-1 at the half, and went on to record a 7-3 victory over Wagiya SC, the win pushing Bandits into 7th place and Wagiya into the cellar. Shaking the net for Bandits were Gerson Johnson (20’ & 56’), Enfield Coleman (37’), Jonard Castillo (43’, 74’ & 83’) and Emmanuel Ingram (66’); while Wagiya goals came from Clay Flores (39’ & 71’) and Kerdell Diaz (49’).
Meanwhile, down south at the M.A. Stadium in Independence, it went into extra time before defending champs, Altitude FC got a goal from Rene Leslie (90+1’) to grab the 1-nil win over a game Police United FC.
It was just as tight up north at the People’s Stadium in Orange Walk, where a first half goal from Krisean Lopez (40’) stood up for regulation to give Verdes FC the 1-0 victory over Progresso FC.
And out west at the Marshalleck Stadium in Benque Viejo, it was all business for Benque United FC as they crushed the upstart Port Layola FC from Belize City, 3-nil, with goals from Moises Hernandez (45+1’ & 67’) and Jamil Cano (83’). Notably absent from the Port Layola lineup was their league leading goal scorer Latrell Middleton. Whether for suspension or injury, it is hoped that he will be back for the playoffs.
The Week 3 regular season goal tally shows: Latrell Middleton (Port Layola FC) still leading with 14 goals; next is Matias Vernon (Verdes FC) with 11 goals; Jonard Castillo (Bandits Sports) with 9; Andres Orozco (Altitude FC) with 7; and Harrison “Cafu” Roches (Wagiya SC) with 6 goals.
Final reg. season Week 14 schedule:
Sunday, April 21
4:00 p.m. – Police United FC vs Progresso FC – Marshalleck Stadium
4:00 p.m. – Wagiya SC vs Altitude FC – Carl Ramos Stadium
4:00 p.m. – Verdes FC vs Benque United FC – Norman Broaster Stadium
4:00 p.m. – Port Layola FC vs Bandits Sports – Marion Jones Sports Complex