Photo: Oziel Martinez scored Wagiya’s 3rd goal
by William Ysaguirre
BELIZE CITY, Sun. Oct. 6, 2024
Port Layola FC moved into 2nd place in the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2024-2025 Opening Season standings with 19 pts, as they enjoyed their 6th win in a 4-0 blast of Progresso FC at Marion Jones Sports Stadium on Sunday afternoon, October 6, pushing the Sugar City squad down to 3rd place in the rankings. (See standings below.)
Colombian import Andres Orozco (24’) converted from the penalty spot, and Latrell Middleton’s header (26’) gave the City squad a 2-0 lead up to the half. Gilroy “Laing” Thurton and Rene Leslie pressed for more Port Layola goals, supported by Shawn Young and Norman Anderson at midfield. Richie Gillett anchored Progresso’s defense with Jose Tinoco Velasquez, John Vasquez Vergara and Anderson Cordoba to help goalkeeper Charles Tillett not give up any more goals before the break.
Trimayne “Pepper” Harris and Sebastian Valencia led Progresso’s counterattack, with the help of Andir Chi and Harlan Casanova on the wings, and Raymond Ramos and Sydney Petillo at midfield. But Port’s captain, Jarret Davis would have none of it, and with the help of Naim “Nemo” Wilson, Enfield “Bolo” Nuñez and Justin Trapp, shut out the visitors’ attacks to help goalkeeper Oscar Palomino keep a clean slate throughout.
Orlando “Bredda” Velasquez reinforced the Port offensive line after the break, relieving Leslie, while Jarrel Young and Wayne Ford replaced Shawn Young and Naim Wilson. Progresso’s coach Wilmer Garcia also refreshed his attack formation with Alden Nuñez, Donnel Arzu and Kyle Budna replacing Valencia, Casanova and Ramos. Gilroy Thurton (80’) made it 3-0. Wilmer Chacon came off the visitors’ bench, replacing Harris, but Port Layola’s technical director Julius Allen introduced veteran Floyd Jones and Akeem “Bib” Sutherland to remain on the attack.
Cordoba blundered into conceding a penalty when he fouled Sutherland inside the 18-yard box, and Jarret Davis (88’) converted the resultant penalty to complete the 4-0 rout.
Verdes FC secured their 1st place ranking with a 2-1 win over the Bandits at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium on Saturday night, with a first-half goal by Darrel Myvett (32’) and a second-half tally by Yubeiqier Arenas (68’) who converted from the penalty spot, after Steven Gentle (37’) had equalized for the Bandits.
At the Carl Ramos Stadium on Sunday, the San Pedro Pirates remained at 4th place in the standings by their 4th win, 5-3, over Wagiya SC, who gave them a second-half scare after leading 5-nil. Tyrese Augustine’s brace (4’ and 45+4’) led the Pirates’ attack, with other goals coming from Gabriel Ramos, Jr. (14’), Keydenshay Bowen (47’) and Nicolas Orellano (61’). Wagiya then rebounded with goals from Richard Mendoza (71’), Mailson Moura (79’) and Oziel Martinez (81′) but it was not enough to deny the Pirates their 4th victory.
The tournament will take a break this coming weekend, while the national team, Jaguars plays its CONCACAF fixtures against Anguilla on October 9, and Turks & Caicos Islands on October 15, both at the FFB Stadium.
PLB regular season ends with scheduled Week 10 matches as follows:
Saturday, October 19
Progresso FC vs San Pedro Pirates at Ambergris Stadium
Sunday, October 20
Port Layola FC vs Verdes FC at Norman Broaster Stadium
Bandits vs Wagiya SC at Carl Ramos Stadium.