BELIZE CITY, Thurs. July 28, 2022
It came down to the wire at the MCC on Sunday afternoon, July 24, where Kelly Street Bombers emerged victorious in a penalty shootout after overtime against Lake-I FC to claim the 2022 Belize District Football Association

(BDFA) 1st Division Championship. In the opening game to start the afternoon, Ebony Lake dropped Ladyville Rising Stars, 3-1, in regulation to take 3rd place in the competition. Ebony Lake got a goal each from Keydenshay Bowen (14’), Kibran Flores (46’) and Traveyon Martinez (81’), while Stiven Rivera’s (90+2’) injury time goal avoided the shutout for the Rising Stars.

It looks like a case of running low on gas in the finals, because after Lake-I FC jumped to a first half 3-nil lead with goals from Akeem Baptist (5’ & 39’) and Floyd Jones (8’), the boys from Kelly Street came roaring back in second half with two quick goals from Michael Bradley (56’) and Steven Baizar (57’); and then in injury time Baizar returned to tie up the match with his second goal (90+2’), for the 3-3 final score in regulation.

It stayed that way in overtime, and the penalty shootout entered sudden death after reaching a 4-4 tie with five kicks taken. After a miss by Lake-I’s kicker, Michael Bradley got the clincher for Kelly Street to secure the victory in penalties and the championship.

Aside from trophies, the champions, Kelly Street Bombers received a $1,500.00 cash prize, and second place Lake-I FC collected $800.00 for their efforts.

Individual awards were: Most Goals – Steven Baizar (Kelly St. Bombers); Best Forward – Traveyon Martinez (Ebony Lake); Best Midfielder – Steven Rivera (Ladyville Rising Stars); Best Defense – Andrew Estelle (Lake-I FC); Best Goalkeeper – Tyrone Alvarez (Lake-I FC); MVP – Steven Baizar (Kelly Street Bombers); Best Young Player – Keydenshay Bowen (Ebony Lake); MVP Playoffs – goalkeeper Gregory Fisher (Kelly Street Bombers).