The 27th edition of the Barbados Cup climaxed at the National Stadium yesterday with Barbadian and Trinidadian clubs sharing the spoils.
Barbadian representatives KFC Pinelands and the Barbados Soccer Academy (BSA) captured the Under-13 and Under-17 categories, respectively, while the twin republic’s Cox Soccer Academy and Naparima College won the Under-15 and Under-19 groups.
At Banks, Pinelands, through a double strike by Xavier Nurse, came from a goal down to defeat rivals Pro Shottas 2-1 to capture a third Barbados Cup title.
At Waterford, in the opening clash, Under-15 local powerhouse Pro Shottas went down 0-1 to Cox Soccer Academy.
In the 24th minute, a defensive error in the penalty area handed Ronaldo Edwards a prime opportunity and the division’s leading goal scorer placed his shot high into the right corner past Liam Brathwaite in goal.
In the Under-17 category, BSA came from behind twice to defeat Gall Hill 3-2 in extra time. Deshon Trent gave Gall Hill the lead in the eighth minute after being played through from midfield. As the goalkeeper raced off his line, Trent calmly placed the ball under his body.
BSA equalised in the 28th minute but it was at the expense of Gall Hill’s defender Raheem Hinds, who turned the ball into his own net after it was driven across the goalmouth from the right side.
Gall Hill regained the lead in the 37th minute when former BSA player Rajohn Hawksworth beat the offside trap, then drilled his right-foot shot past Codey Scantlebury, who was absolutely helpless.
Rasheed Grant levelled the score once again in the 63rd minute, beating Delano Callender with a well-executed finish from just 12 yards out.
When the game seemed destined for penalty kicks with seconds to go, six-foot defensive midfielder Edward Okey benefited from a goal melee in the Gall Hill area and somehow his weak effort found the inside of the right post and into the net to hand BSA victory.
In the all “Trini” affair in the Under-19 category, Naparima College emerged 2-1 winners over Club Sando. Akeem Humprey gave Naparima the lead in the 24th minute, but Jerome Samuel equalised for Club Sando in the 27th minute before handing Naparima the lead and the championship with an extra time own goal.
