_{Port Layola’s Jarret Davis (r) defends against Wagiya’s Enfield Coleman (l)}

by William Ysaguirre (freelance writer)

BELIZE CITY, Mon. Mar. 3, 2025

The 2-time defending champions Port Layola FC are firmly in the driver’s seat of the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2024-2025 Closing Season tournament with 19 pts, after enjoying their 6th win, 3-0, over the winless Wagiya Sporting Club at the Marion Jones Sports Complex on Sunday evening, March 2. (See standings below.)

Colombian imports Jhon Sebastian Valencia and Jaider Ledesma led Wagiya’s offensive, supported by Richard Mendoza, Stephen Noralez, Oziel Martinez and Enfield Coleman at midfield. They made little impression on Port Layola’s veteran captain Jarret Davis, who anchored the defense with Enfield “Bolo” Nuñez, Naim “Nemo” Wilson and Justin Trapp to help goalkeeper Kenroy Tillett keep a clean slate throughout.

Down at the other end, Colombian import Andres Orozco, Shawn Young and Gilroy Thurton pressed the Port Layola attack, with the help of Rene Leslie, Norman Anderson and Miguel Garcia at midfield. Brazilian import Mailson Maura led the visitors’ defense, along with Levi Pixabaj and Haider Landazuri to help goalkeeper Elijah Pelayo contain their attacks up to the half.

Orozco (49’) opened the scoreboard for Port after the break, and Shawn Young (66’) made it 2-0. At the 54th minute, Port’s technical director Marvin Ottley had introduced Latrell Middleton, whose penalty conversion (90’) sealed the 3-0 win.

Progresso FC moved up to 2nd place in the standings with 13 pts, as they enjoyed their 4th win, 2-0, over Belmopan FC at Isidoro Beaton Stadium on Saturday night, with goals by Andir Chi (12’) and Jhon Vasquez Vergara (61’).

There was just a little bit of joy for the home fans at the Ambergris Stadium on Saturday night, where the San Pedro Pirates salvaged a 2-2 draw out of the jaws of defeat with the Verdes FC, with strikes from Brayan Vargas (79’) and Jaheim Mena (90+5’) to equalize, after Krisean Lopez (10’) and Bryan Lozano (63’) had given the Green Machine a comfortable 2-0 lead. Verdes fell to 3rd place in the PLB standings with only 12 pts, as they only picked up one point from a draw for the 2nd week in a row.

Upcoming Week 8 matches:

Saturday, March 8
7:30 p.m. – San Pedro Pirates FC vs Belmopan FC at Ambergris Stadium
7:30 p.m. – Verdes FC vs Wagiya SC at Marshalleck Stadium

Sunday, March 9
4:00 p.m. – Progresso FC vs Port Layola FC at People’s Stadium