2 weeks Ago By Barbados Today
University of the West Indies Blackbirds started their bid for a chance to repeat as runners-up of the 2025 Barbados Football Association Premier League, following a 2-0 success over Abrahams United Silver Sands. A lucky goal struck from long range by midfielder Kyle Forde-Blades in the 12th minute sailed past Silver Sands goalkeeper Shemariah Batson, securing the lone goal of the match on Sunday afternoon at the BFA Technical Centre in Wildey. As teams continue to make a last-ditch effort to score points with five of 18 games remaining this season, Silver Sands, well on their way to being relegated after they were unable to win a single game from 13 matches, surprisingly stepped up and played to a commendable standard.
As UWI, coached by Fabian Massiah, sat on their 1-0 advantage at halftime, they attempted to build on that goal in the second half after winning a 25-yard free kick that was blocked by Silver Sands’ four-man wall. On paper, UWI are the better team, and their dominance on the ball came as no surprise. Silver Sands, on the other hand, tried to match their intensity as they went in search of a goal.
Unfortunately for Silver Sands, they failed to place the ball down the line, and whenever they did, they were intercepted and dispossessed in the midfield by UWI’s duo of Reno Shepherd and Kobe Griffith. Silver Sands made a number of substitutions in the second half in hopes of finding a goal. There were also times when the Silver Sands coaching staff vented their frustrations at referee Darian Scantlebury for not blowing calls they believed were warranted, particularly when UWI striker Rovaldo Massiah struck Silver Sands’ Javon Alleyne in his chest.
While Silver Sands attempted to match UWI on attack, they were once again found sleeping at the back, and that allowed defensive midfielder Darius Boyce to turn easily and crack a hard shot past goalkeeper Batson inside the six-yard box in the 76th minute. The other fixture at 6 p.m.
, between Ellerton Club and Wotton Club was well worth the entrance fee, both putting on a show that ended in an exciting 4-4 draw. Just escaping relegation on 12 points in eighth position ahead of ninth and tenth place teams Deacons (nine points m) and Silver Sands (one point), Wotton led 3-0, compliments of Kemar John (2nd minute) and Derrine Gale-Forde with a brace in the 11th and 26th. In the second half, John added his second goal of the game in the 53rd minute.
Ellerton refused to back down and began responding with newcomers Chai Lloyd (28th and 51st) and Rommell Bynoe (35th and 42nd), going to battle and delivering for the St George-based side against their Christ Church rivals. The final clash of the night ended in a 1-1 draw between Paradise and Brittons Hill. A penalty from Khimani Cox in the 34th minute and an equaliser from Brittons Hill’s top striker Corey Hoyte in the 71st minute were the main scorers.
Reigning league champions Ensure Max Protein Weymouth Wales led the standings with 39 points. Brittons Hill and UWI are on 24 points in second and third, respectively. Ellerton are fourth on 20, Paradise and Kickstart are tied on 18 points in fifth and sixth respectively, while Pride of Gall are seventh on 17 points, ahead of Wotton in eighth place with 12 points, leaving the bottom two teams, Deacons on nine points and Silver Sands on a mere one point, to fight for their survival.
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