Jennings Grenades consolidated their second place position in the
Antigua and Barbuda Football Association’s (ABFA) Premier Division
League by snatching a narrow victory over Cedar Grove Blue Jays last
Saturday.
Following a goalless first half, Donavan Jno-Baptiste scored with a
74th minute strike to propel Jennings Grenades to a 1-0 victory over Cedar
Grove Blue Jays in the second match of a triple-header at the ABFA’s
Technical Center.
Their eighth win in 10 matches lifted Jennings Grenades to 24 points,
the same as leaders All Saints United. However, Jennings Grenades
remain second on goal difference behind All Saints United, who had a
game in hand.
It was the sixth loss in nine matches for Cedar Grove Blue Jays who
remain third from bottom of the 16-team competition with seven points.
Five Islands and Liberta Black Hawks fought to a 3-3 draw in a
bottom of the table clash in Saturday’s featured match.
Tony Sanchez scored a penalty in the ninth minute of added on time
(90+9 minutes) to equalize and salvage the draw for Five Islands.
Before Sanchez’s late equalizer, Shavorn Phillip appeared to have
struck the winner and secured the first win of the competition for the Black
Hawks when he scored in the third minute of added on time (90+3 minutes)
to give Liberta a 3-2 lead.
An own goal, which was scored by Deonte Williams of Liberta in the
3rd minute, had given Cedar Grove an early 1-0 lead, but a Yasniel
Espinoza’s 34th minute conversion drew Liberta level as both teams
entered the interval deadlocked 1-1 at halftime.
The score stayed that way until late in the second half when Makhai
Browne scored in the 83rd minute to break the deadlock and gave Liberta a
2-1 lead.
But Darien Guerra snatched the first equalizer for Five Islands with an
86th minute conversion. The result left both teams still in search of their
first win in the league competition.
Liberta Black Hawks remain in the cellar position with -4 (minus four)
points from seven matches, while Five Islands stay second from bottom of
the standings on two points after 10 outings.
Novelle Francis scored a brace as Willikies claimed their fifth win in
nine matches by romping to a 5-1 victory over Pigotts Bullets 5-1 in
Saturday’s opening encounter.
Francis scored his first goal in the 22nd minute to give Willikies a 1-0
halftime lead. Goals by Akeem Weekes in the 47th minute, Dennie Henry in
the 57th minute and James Simon in the 69th minute extended Willikies
advantage.
Francis completed his team’s scoring with his second conversion in
the 71st minute to give Willikies a 5-0 lead. Tian Samuel scored a
consolation goal for Pigotts Bullets one minute before the end of regulation
with an 89th minute conversion.
The win lifted Willikies to 16 points, while their fifth loss in nine
appearances ensured Pigotts Bullets will remain in 11th place with 10
points.
Hoppers beat Parham 2-0 in the opening fixture of the 10th week of
premier league matches on Friday.
Javorn Stevens converted a penalty in the 2nd minute and Ammiel
Joseph scored in the 80th minute to wrap up the fourth win in nine matches
for Hoppers, who advance to 13 points.
The sixth loss in 10 appearances ensured Parham remain on eight
points.
The final encounter in the 10th week of matches will be contested this
evening at the technical center. Tryum will clash with Empire at 7 pm.
