by EZRA STUART

THE Barbados Defence Force's (BDF) football team have the most accurate marksmen in the country.

This was evident at the YMCA last Sunday before the biggest crowd of the season when the army football recruits shot their way to the Guinness Super 8 Cup title and the $ 4 000 first prize.

All the sharpshooters from BDF's football outfit, who took spot kicks, were on target during the 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over Brittons Hill, whose two leading marksmen, inspirational captain Gregory "Lalu" Goodridge and defender Omar Archer, misfired.

Greg Belle, Rohan Hall, captain Reveire Williams and Dwayne "Killer" McClean, who scored a gem of a goal to equalise in the second period of extra time, all displayed excellent penalty shooting technique.

It wasn't a case of taking a long run-up and trying to blast the nets, but a mix of power and placement as they picked a spot and placed the ball to the goalkeeper's right.

Goalkeeper Kerry Holder, in his first stint with the BDF's sports programme, stood out in the bars, with some spectacular saves in regulation time and then two magnificent efforts to keep out Goodridge and Archer. He was definitely my man of the match.

Goodridge, who had scored two penalties against both Arawak Cement Youth Milan and Claytons Kola Tonic Notre Dame to put Brittons Hill in the final, when he opted for power instead of placement, was beaten at his own game this time.

Holder certainly did his homework, recognising that "Lalu" was going for his usual blast and was equal to the task, spreading his body to stop Goodridge's thunderbolt, with his legs. It was a superb save.

Inexperience

This seemed to put off Archer when he came up to take his penalty as he is also noted for power but he tried to place the ball to Holder's right and had his tame effort saved.

The inexperience of Brittons Hill's goalkeeper Wayne "Trini" Williams showed up when he constantly came forward off his line, rather than moving to a side. What he did not pick up was that the BDF's penalty kickers all chose the right corner.

This was the BDF's first Barbados Football Association's title success since the mid-1990s when they won the Knock Out Cup in 1994 and followed up the next year with the Premier League crown.

While it was not the more glamorous titles such as the Premiership or FA Knockout Cup, the triumph was achieved with an extremely youthful side.

This season, the long-serving captain Azard Weekes, and goalkeeper Albert Brathwaite, are no longer playing in the Premiership while another oldstager Tyrone Holder has only played when required.

The baton has been passed on to the youngsters and they have started to deliver with Johnathan Straker marshalling the defence, Malcolm "Buju" Marshall controlling the midfield and Williams and McClean leading the charge up front.

The versatile Greg Belle and Rohan Hall have also played key roles but what has been noticeable with the BDF set-up this season is that they are playing the ball along the turf, a lot more, instead of their trademark long-ball style.

Another heartening aspect is that some of the boys' parents can be seen giving vocal support and encouragement to their sons.

Among those I've spotted is former Barbados defender Anthony Kippins, whose son Rohan Hall has followed in his father's footsteps, playing on the left side of the defence and also making the senior national team.

The BDF's twin strikers Williams and McClean have also had the benefits of their parents watching them on the sidelines, cheering them on.

The next task for the BDF is to aim for a treble by winning the Premiership and the Knockout title.

n ezrastuart@nationnews.com