The final set of back matches were played yesterday at the Caye Caulker football field, closing out the regular season of the Belize District Female Football Competition 2011.
Assured of a berth in the playoffs, Hattieville Heats was a no-show for the opening match against undefeated “Smart” Millennium of Belize City, who thus finished their regular season with a perfect record of 10 wins from 10 outings, to finish at the top of the standings with 30 points.
In game 2, a clash of two Ladyville-based teams, the Tornados blasted the Orchids, 5-0. Natasha Young, Mertel Bailey, Gloria Garcia and Salambo Munnings scored for Tornados, who also benefitted from an Orchids own goal by Shakira Clark.
And in the final game of the day, home squad Island Stars won, 2-nil, also with some help from their opponents, Sandhill Untouchables. Esperanza Reyes scored for the Stars, who were also aided by an own goal from Untouchables’ Cheryllyn Fuentes, towards the 2-nil Island Stars victory.
With the end of regular season, the stage is now set for the 4-team playoffs, where the #1 seed meets #4 seed, and likewise the #2 seed meets the #3 seed in best-of-two semifinal series. (See standings below.)
After a week’s rest, the playoffs are scheduled to begin next Sunday, November 20, with the first two semifinal games at the Ladyville football field, followed by the next set of semifinal games the following week in Belize City.
According to competition coordinator Anthony Phillips, the other five teams held a general assembly meeting and agreed that Hattieville Heats should be sanctioned, besides losing the 3 points, for not appearing for the game in Caye Caulker on Sunday. Hattieville was already sure of a 3rd seed spot in the playoffs, and thus chose not to incur the expenses which the other teams all had to bear. The decision is that Hattieville Heats will have to pay a fine, or forfeit their spot in the playoffs. Should the Heats drop out, the 5th place Sandhill Untouchables would move up to the 4th seed in the semi’s.