Empire and Bullets open lucrative Super 8 with victories

Former Premier Division champions, Empire FC, and Pigotts Bullets FC, were victors in the Antigua & Barbuda Football Association’s (ABFA) Wadadli Beer Super 8 Championships over the weekend.
Empire, contesting the feature game of a double-header at the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG) on Sunday, had a late strike from Kenniston Davis as they defeated Second Division champions John Hughes 1-0.
The goal, which came three minutes into added time, temporarily puts Empire at the top of Group 2 with three points.
Meanwhile, in another Group 2 contest, Pigotts Bullets beat Swetes FC by a similar 1-0 margin. The lone strike of the contest came from Damien Hector who netted in minute 70 to secure three points for the Premier Division squad.
Group 1 comprises former top-flight champions Old Road FC, SAP FC and Five Islands FC. Second Division runner-up, Willikies FC, is the other team in the group.
The teams are competing for the $13,000 cash prize up for grabs while the runners-up  will take home $6,500 and third place $4,000.
Fourth place finishers will take $3,000 while teams finishing between fifth and eighth will each take home $500.
A number of individual prizes and team prizes will also be up for grabs during the lucrative tournament which is expected to climax on April 2 with third place and championship matches.
The competition continues throughout the week with double headers at the ARG starting at 5 and 7 pm nightly.  (Neto Baptiste)