Striker Stephan Smith took his personal tally of goals to nine on Sunday when he had a double-strike to lead LIME Old Road to a 2-1 victory over Champion Footwear Greenbay Hoppers in the feature contest of a triple-header in the imobile Premier Division football competition at Antigua Recreation Grounds (ARG).
The national and Antigua Barracuda FC player eased a side-footed effort past goalkeeper“Spence” Joseph in the fifth minute to put Old Road ahead before he turned a low pass into the back of the net from just outside the six yards box in minute 33.
Smith’s opening strike came just minutes after a brilliant save from Joseph who had to dive low to his left to prevent national player Gason “Bubbler” Gregory from getting hold of a rebound.
The custodian was, however, no match for Smith’s shooting ability as he could only watch the ball roll into the far right hand corner of the net after the striker had hit from an angle.
Old Road were unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty kick just minutes later when Gregory was brought down by the outstretched Joseph just outside the six yards box.
Old Road continued to pressure, though, and Smith scored his second after a low pass was played to him just in front of goal. The player calmly pushed the ball into the back of the net.
Midfielder Rolston “Lexi” Phonix, who was brought on as a substitute at the interval, pulled a goal back for Hoppers in minute 82.
The victory lifts Old Road onto 23 points at the top of the standings while Hoppers remain on 11 points after 10 matches.
Head coach of Old Road FC, Derrick “Pretty Boy Edwards, said his team must continue to win matches if they are to seriously challenge for the title. He said, however, he expects the competition to become tougher
“If we are going to challenge and go for the cup, we have to maintain a lead and let the other teams play from behind. It is obvious that we are a team everybody is going to want to beat now, so we just have to stay focussed, stay in line and keep everything together within the organisation and the team and I think that I will be good from there,” he said.
“It will get tougher from game to game, (but) we are taking one game at a time. We are not going to underestimate any team. We just have to do what we have to do. We have a job to do and know that we have to go out there and win each game every weekend,” Edwards added.
In the second contest, La Bussola Willikies outclassed Sugar Ridge Sap, 3-0, as they leaped into the number four position in the standings with 13 points.
Following a scoreless first half, the “men from the east” turned up the heat, running circles around the Sap men.
Akeem Weekes had a double-strike, scoring in minutes 79 and 90, respectively, while Winston “Sprocket” Roberts netted in minute 61.
Sap, who had the services of national striker Peter “Big Pete” Byers for the first time this season, remain on 11 points from 10 matches.
Coach Steveroy “Deman” Anthony said it is all about affirming themselves in the top flight.
“From the first time I (went) up there, the focus has been to build the foundation first because no way in life (are) you going to build a house and put on the roof first; so build the foundation first and then stamp your authority and then we take it a step at a time,” said Anthony.
“Right now the motto, in terms of going to the games, is win your games, you win the cup; (or) lose your games and drop out of Premier back to First Division. So the guys know that if you want to stay in here, most naturally you have to win,” Anthony added.
“If you want to win the cup, you have to go to win, so right now the guys are focussed because I think it is the first time in terms of Willikies going to Premier they have even been in this position in fourth place at the start of the second half of the season.”
In Sunday’s opening contest, defending champions Asot’s Arcade Parham continued their good run with a 3-1 victory over Cool & Smooth Empire.
Empire had goals coming from Eugene Kirwan who netted in minutes 65 and 90, while Garry Harriett had a strike in minute 50.
Substitute Mitchell “Oba” Francis scored the lone goal for Empire in minute 87 before he was red-carded in the 90th minute for striking an opponent.
Parham moved onto 17 points from 10 matches, while Empire remained on 10 points after the same number of games.
The competition continues tomorrow when All Saints United tackle Bullets at 4:45 pm, and Bassa play Sea View Farm at 6:45 pm.
(Source http://www.antiguaobserver.com/?p=69671)
