Photo: Gilroy “Bredda” Thurton
BELIZE CITY, Mon. Apr. 8, 2024
The stage is almost set, and the Top-4 teams have already been determined for the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2023-2024 Closing Season playoffs; all that is left is the seeding to be finalized in the remaining two weeks of competition to end the regular season. Verdes FC is #1 seed, but who they will face as #4 is still to be decided, as 3 teams are currently tied with 23 points. (See Week 12 standings below.)
Two Week 12 games were played on Saturday night, April 6. At the Marshalleck Stadium in Benque Viejo, Police United FC held league leading Verdes FC to a 1-1 stalemate. Camilo Villarreal (20’) gave Verdes the lead, but Cesar Florentin (22’) equalized quickly, and it stayed that way for regulation. Meanwhile, at the M.A. Stadium in Independence, Bandits Sports made it interesting for a while, but defending champions Altitude FC was in show-time mode for their loyal fans, cruising to a 5-2 victory with goals from Ashton Torres (27’), Erwin Middleton (35’), Andres Orozco (46’), Delone Torres (57’) and Dejmari Pop (82’); while Bandits got a goal each from Shemar Ingram (29’) and Jonard Castillo (49’).
On Sunday afternoon, Benque United FC visited the Carl Ramos Stadium and proved that they mean business in the coming playoffs, when they easily crushed Wagiya SC, 5-1, with goals from Nahjib Guerra (9’ & 45’), Desmond Wade (14’ & 45+3’) and Moises Hernandez (57’); while Wagiya SC avoided the shutout through Levi Pixabaj (81’). And at the Marion Jones Sports Complex in Belize City, the faint hopes of seeing the playoffs for Progresso FC were dashed, as Port Layola FC got a goal in each half from their premier strikers, league leading scorer Latrell Middleton (45+4’) and last season’s scoring champion, returning from injury in time for the playoffs, Gilroy “Bredda” Thurton (82’) who proceeded to “burn cotton” a few minutes after entering the game late in second half with what some have been calling the shot of the season.
This coming PLB playoff is looking to be a real spectacle. Verdes has practically “owned” Port Layola ever since the city lost then leading striker Michael Palacio. But since then, Bredda has risen to the occasion, and since his injury absence, Latrell has taken over the scoring reins. With both Bredda and Latrell in peak form, who knows?
Upcoming PLB Week 13 schedule:
Saturday, April 13
7:30 p.m. – Bandits Sports vs Wagiya SC – Isidoro Beaton Stadium
7:30 p.m. – Benque United FC vs Port Layola FC – Marshalleck Stadium
7:30 p.m. – Progresso FC vs Verdes FC – People’s Stadium
7:30 p.m. – Altitude FC vs Police United FC – M.A. Stadium in Independence