THE BIG BOOTS of the Barbados Defence Force are marching on in the Barbados
Football Association's Knock-Out Cup.
Despite an unsuccessful campaign at the World Military Games in Germany, the BDF boys, who returned home on Tuesday, kicked their way to an impressive 4-1 victory over Tropical Laundries Gall Hill at Wotton on Thursday night.
The BDF victory set up a quarter-final showdown with Sagicor General Youth Milan in the first game of a triple header at the YMCA tomorrow.
BDF led 3-0 at half-time through goals by Barry Skeete (22nd minute), Jeffrey Williams (26th) and Ramuel Miller (40th) while substitute Jermaine Boyce got on the scoresheet with a 87th-minute strike.
Kevin Moore scored an 89th minute consolation goal for Gall Hill, who squandered a few goal-scoring opportunities. Both Andrew Butcher and second-half substitute Jason Goodridge had shots which hit the woodwork.
The army outfit made Gall Hill pay for their lapses as the lanky Skeete buried a rebound from his header after a free-kick by captain Azard Weekes.
Four minutes later, a curling left-side cross by Weekes was only partially cleared by the Gall Hill defence and Jeffrey Williams slammed home the loose ball.
Miller then made it 3-0 with a cracking shot from the top of the 18-yard box.
The BDF dominated the second half and should have added a few more goals but Williams, Kenny Sealy and Miller, who had combined with Malcolm Marshall to torment the Gall Hill defence, all wasted their chances.
Boyce, a skilful 19-year-old former Alexandra student almost scored with his first touch but his fierce shot was deflected by goalkeeper Sylvannus Doyce for a corner.
Boyce, however atoned for two quick misses when he dribbled two defenders and beat Doyle with a well-placed shot. Shortly after, Ryan Griffith set up Moore for Gall Hill's lone goal.
The first knock-out quarter-final will be played tonight at Wotton between Division 1 sides Fairy Valley and Weymouth Wales after a 6:30 p.m. premiership match betweeen Silky Soy Beverley Hills and PCW Pinelands.