Photo: Latrell Middleton of Port Layola leads the league with 4 goals already
BELIZE CITY, Mon. Jan. 22, 2024
Both Verdes FC and Benque United FC have won back-to-back games to start the regular season, and neither team has conceded a goal yet in this Premier League of Belize (PLB) 20232024 Closing Season. Once again, it was 3 Saturday night games and 1 on Sunday in Week 2 of the PLB regular season.
On Saturday night at the M.A. Stadium in Mango Creek, Independence, a first half goal by Krisean Lopez (28’) gave visiting Verdes FC the 1-nil win over defending champion Altitude FC.
Meanwhile, at the Marshalleck Stadium in Benque Viejo Del Carmen, it was still nil-nil in second half when Andres Makin, Jr. (79’) scored the 1-0 game winner for Benque United FC over Police United FC. With both teams playing out of the Marshalleck Stadium, their records are opposite at this early stage, with Benque’s record at 2-0 from two 1-nil victories, while Police United is the cellar dweller with a record of 0-2 from two 1-nil losses. The season is still young, officers.
The final Saturday night encounter was at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium, where home standing Bandits Sports clinched a 2-1 victory over Progresso FC from Orange Walk. It was tied at 1-1 at half time, after Naitan Pastrana (16’) put Bandits in front, and Raheem Eagan (45+3’) equalized just before the intermission. The game winner for Bandits came from Jonathan Castillo at the 58th minute.
The only Sunday scheduled game was almost rained out; but after a twenty-minute halftime delay during heavy showers, Port Layola FC and visiting Wagiya SC took to the very wet Marion Jones SSports Complex field to complete ninety minutes of football action. The evening belonged to the PLB Opening Season’s “Best Midfielder”, Latrell Middleton, who registered the Closing Season’s first hat trick, to lead Port Layola FC to a 5-2 win over a game Wagiya SC who welcomed the return of their captain, Warren Moss from a stint at a junior college in the U.S.
Port Layola goals were by Latrell Middleton (16’, 30’ & 77’), Shawn Young (49’) and Juan Ocampo (68’); while Wagiya got a goal each from Warren Moss (41’ PK) and Kofi Nnadi (58’).
Upcoming PLB Week 3 schedule:
Saturday, January 27
7:30 p.m. – Police United FC vs Port Layola FC – Marshalleck Stadium
7:30 p.m. – Bandits Sports vs Benque United FC – Isidoro Beaton Stadium
7:30 p.m. – Progresso FC vs Altitude FC – People’s Stadium
Sunday, January 28
4:00 p.m. – Wagiya SC vs Verdes FC – Carl Ramos Stadium