By Carlena Knight
Despite beating a young and vibrant NNL Distributors Swetes FC team 4-2 on Sunday night in the Antigua Premier League (APL), General Secretary of former champions Greenbay Hoppers FC, Troy Gibson, believes that although they have found their stride, they still have yet to reach their full potential.
Hoppers, after this win, are presently one point behind table leader, Grenades FC, with 29 points with only four matches left in the season.
Gibson who was a guest on the Good Morning JoJo Sports show on Monday says that Hoppers is however almost at that peak.
“I think the team is now beginning to peak, but we haven’t peaked as yet. I think we are peaking at the right time. I know some results didn’t go as well for us earlier, but as I said, we’ll just be focused and consistent match by match, and we’ll see what happens towards the end of the season.”
When it came to the point of defense, Gibson says it is a bit concerning but it not a big worry for them as their offense supersedes. To date, Hoppers have scored the most goals – 40, but conceded the second highest in 28.
“I mean our defensive warriors have been going on all season and the guys snatched up a clean sheet last week. We know Swetes would have come out determined because they are a very fit team that runs a lot, but it is a bit of a concern, but I know we’ll hold on and continue to score the goals because the goal-scorers are in good form for the final few games,” said Gibson.
Yoandir Puga Estevez scored a hattrick for the victors finding the back of the net in the 16th, 43rd, and 73rd minutes while teammate Rodney Lawrence hit home in minute 18.
An own goal from Chad Williams and a strike from Kemoi Alexander were the goals for Swetes.
They are now in 5th with 21 points.
In the other games that day, defending champions, PIC Liberta Blackhawks, played to a four-all draw with Parham, while Ottos Rangers and Pigotts Bullets played to a nil-all draw.
Miguel Hernandez (31st; og), Daryan James (38th), Tevaughn Harriette (44th), Nazir McBurnette (62nd pk) all scored for Parham while Jahmarley Stevens (20th), Ricardo Dennis (30th og), Clarence Marsh (57th) and Oshane Blackwood (89th) were the goal-scorers for the Blackhawks.
They are now in 7th with 17 points while Parham remain in the dreaded relegation zone with 10.