By Neto Baptiste
Former Premier Division champions, Empire FC, and FC Aston Villa, suffered minor setbacks in their bid for promotion on Wednesday following shock losses in the First Division competition.
Empire, travelling to Bolans, were defeated 3-1 by the home team with a former national captain and defender scoring twice, hitting the back of the net in minutes 12 and 19, respectively. Joel Martin scored the other goal for the victors in minute 29.
Rakeem Joseph scored the lone goal for Empire when he shot home from the penalty spot in minute 25.
Empire, however, remained at the top of the 12 team standings with 32 points despite the loss while Bolans moved to 16 points and ninth in the standings after 14 outings.
Meanwhile, Tryum FC quieted Aston Villa 2-0. Curlon Joseph in minute 31, and Ashani Lawrence in minute 51, were on target for Tryum as they moved to 30 points and second in the standings following 14 encounters. Villa slipped down the standings to third with 29 points following what was their second loss in 13 showings.
Still in the First Division, Fort Road defeated Potters Tigers 2-1. Jaumal Semper scored both goals for Fort Road, hitting the back of the net in minutes 14 and 23, while Tyrese Thomas found Potters’ only goal in minute 60.
Fort Road moved to 20 points and sixth in the standings while Potters are second from bottom with five points from 14 games.
In the Second Division matches played on Wednesday, Garden Stars continued their quest for promotion with a 3-1 trumping of ABAYA. Wilden Cornwall Jr scored twice with Jarhed Williams adding the other goal.
Stars moved to 39 points from 15 matches at the top of the standings, four points ahead of Lion Hill in the number two position. Also in the Second Division, Real Blizzard defeated 5P’s FC Wadadli 5-0. Taharie James recorded a hattrick while Ian Eusebe and Mallique London each scored once.