By Neto Baptiste
Defending champions All Saints United got off to a winning start in the group stage of the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) Premier Division competition with a close 2-1 victory over the struggling Parham FC on Saturday at the FA’s Technical Center.
Playing in the feature game of a triple-header, United scored on either side of the half and were two-nil up within 55 minutes of play. D’Andre Bishop scored both goals for the All Saints men, opening the scoring in minute 29 when he struck from close range. Bishop secured his brace just 10 minutes after the interval when he, again, beat the Parham custodian from close range.
Tyrese Gowe pulled a goal back for Parham in the dying stages, netting in minute 80 but it was too late to stage a comeback as Unted would hold on to take all three points from the contest.
There were three cautions issued in the contest with Jolanshoy McDowald, Jeremiah “Fatty” Harriette and Jamol Yorke, all from Parham FC, being showed yellow card by match referee, Ken Pennyfeather.

The win lift United to 37 points from 14 showings while Parham remain second from bottom with just nine points after the same number of outings.
Also on Saturday, Pigotts Bullets edged Willikies FC 1-0 to take their tally of points to 28 from 14 showings. Akeem Isaac scored the lone goal of the contest in the 17th minute of play.
Three Willikies’ players were red-carded in the match with Xarik Richards and Brent Kirby issued straight red cards, while Phil Nicholas was dismissed after picking up a second yellow. Willikies remain on 10 points and third from bottom on the standings.
In the other match contested Saturday, FC Aston Villa beat Green City 2-1. Ironically, it was Green City that drew first blood with Amali Colbourne putting them ahead in the fourth minute. Tyrik Hughes drew Villa level in the 26th before Sean Tomlinson secured the three points for the Villa men in the 59th minute.

The win moves Villa to 24 points from their 14 matches while City remain on 11 points from the same number of outings.
A total of eight Green City members were carded in the contest with four of those being straight red. Curtie Henry (71), Jennifer Daniel (72), Tejhano Jarvis (90+6) and Zaieem Scott (90+6) were all driven off by referee Donald Francis. Vorne James, Nyhiem Jones, De’Jaun Fenton and Colbourne were all shown yellow cards.
There were cautions as well for Tomlinson, Judah Christian, Mali Johnson, and Hughes — all of Villa.