By Neto Baptiste
Defending champions, Grenades FC, ended their league format campaign on a winning note in the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) Premier Division, rallying to a close 3-2 triumph over FC Aston Villa when they met at the FA’s Technical Centre on Sunday.
FC Aston Villa went ahead on minute 22 when Tyrik Hughes netted from the penalty spot. Rakeem Henry drew Grenades level just before halftime when he struck in the 44th minute as the team when into the interval 1-1.
Aston Villa took the lead once more when Samuel Rodriguez struck in minute 52 but Grenades were back on level terms just five minutes later when Jordan Britto struck from close range. Barrington Blake secured all three points for Grenades and ensures his team remained perfect in 14 outings with a 67th minute strike.
The win means that the defending champions finish the first round of the competition at the top of the standings with 42 points from their 14 showings while FC Aston Villa ends on 23 points from their 14 matches and sixth on the standings.
Also on Sunday, Willikies Warriors defeated SAP FC 2-1 to end the league play on 17 points and ninth on the standings. Mekhi Scotland and Phil Nicholas were on target for Willikies with strikes in minutes 27 and 87 while veteran Peters Byers scored the lone goal for SAP in minute 65. SAP ends the league play on 13 points and 11th on the standings.
In Sunday’s feature contest, Swetes FC edged Empire FC 2-1 in a bottom of the table showdown. Swetes had strikes from Karique Knight and Shalon Knight in minutes 35 and 45+7 respectively while Jomo Andrew had put Empire ahead in second minute of the contest.
Empire ends the league play at the bottom of the standings with five points while Swetes are second from bottom with eight points.
The competition will now entire into it’s second phase where the 15 teams will be placed in three groups of five with each team playing four additional matches. Points collected in the group stage will be added to the points amassed during league play with the team ending with the most points being crowned winners of the Premier Division.