BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Aug. 9, 2012
After suffering a 6-1 shellacking from BDF in game 1 of the Belize City Champions Cup 2-game finals series on Sunday last, the West Lake squad is hoping to regroup and salvage their reputation with a competitive match in game 2 this coming Sunday at 4:00 p.m. at the MCC.
BDF is headed for the first Premier League of Belize tournament since the change of administration in the FFB; but West Lake, though loaded with stars, is not bound for semi-pro. A number of West Lake players are members of the highly regarded Police United team that lost in the last Premier League finals to Placencia Assassin. Needless to say, the management/coaching staff of West Lake is not up to par with the Police United team, which has a spot in the Premier League.
Playing for pride, fans can certainly expect better from West Lake this Sunday, but equalizing the aggregate score with BDF is out of the question. Nevertheless, it should be a good game.
What West Lake did last Sunday was conduct a major experiment in their defence line, and it backfired miserably. In their previous week’s game against F.C. Belize, Police sweeper Kishane “Grill” Pech anchored the West Lake defence, with Leon Rowley on his left, Shannon Flowers on his right, and veteran Albert “Allie” Thurton roaming in front of him. This past Sunday against BDF, Grill was again the sweeper, but to his left he now had Jose “Shaggy” Caceres, to his right was newcomer Glen “Tipu” Martinez, and Shannon was now roaming in front. That’s a lot of changes to a defence that had just pitched a shutout.
BDF promptly dismantled the West Lake defence, with 1st half goals coming from Harrison Tasher (1 min), Marlon “El Matador” Meza (9 min), Lisbey Castillo (33 min) and Byron “Barrow” Usher (40 min) for a 4-nil lead. Floyd Jones, who played inside-left midfield for West Lake, put them on the scoreboard at the 2nd minute of 2nd half, but hope was short-lived, as no-nonsense referee Wellington “Spooners” Hall issued red cards to overzealous West Lake rookies John King and Geon Makin, the latter only a minute after insertion into the game. BDF’s own rookie Shane “Chucky” Flores made it 5-1 with his strike at the 84th minute; and “El Matador” returned to close the show with another blast past Charlie Slusher in goal for West Lake at the 86th. Final score, BDF – 6, West Lake – 1.
Organizer Marvin Ottley said game 2 will be played, so if BDF wants their championship trophy, they will have to complete the finals this Sunday.
Sunday, August 12
4:00 p.m. – BDF vs West Lake