Significant gains on the transfer market by some teams should make the battle for promotion from the Barbados Football Association’s Division 1 competition to the prestigious Premier League a very interesting affair this season.
Today marks the start of the campaign and all 12 teams will be in action in the double-headers at Ellerton, Orange Hill and Hilda Skeene.
Based on the movement of players, new boys Road View and their St Peter neighbours Cosmos seem like they could seriously challenge for the two promotion spots.
Cosmos, with the acquisition of the Lavine brothers, Donovan and Maradona, both of whom have represented Barbados, will engage Silver Sands with the likes of Shane “Pluck” Welch, Rhon Cox, Carlos Ward, Jamar “Rocker” Harewood and Craig Sargeant, in a big battle at Ellerton at 8 p.m.
Rene Greaves, goalkeeper Vidar White and Steve Greaves have also gone from Technico to Cosmos, joining the already strong outfit with Richard Corbin in goal and David “Poyeye” Forde leading the attack.
This match will be preceded by an encounter featuring Road View and the relegated St John Sonnets, who have lost Stefan Bowen, at 6 p.m.
Speedy striker Angus Doyle has rejoined his hometown side Road View along with midfielder Dale “Lalu” Benn and their partnership with Norris Broomes and tall midfielder Damien Williams, with Llewellyn Broomes and Jason Mounter in defence, should boost their chances.
Over at Orange Hill, Deacons, with brothers Jason and Ricardo Carter and Renaldo Fenty, will be hoping that striker Terry Adamson is fit again to link up with Terry Odle as they begin their campaign at 6 p.m. against a University of the West Indies outfit that will be boosted by a number of transferees, headed by Tito Beckles from the Barbados Defence Force.
The second game at 8 p.m. will be between Ellerton, who have gained skillful midfielder Ryan “Ali Boo” Hunte from Clarkes Hill but lost Corey McCollin, and Benfica, with midfield maestro Malcolm “Buju” Marshall and the Dixon brothers, Troy and Tyrone.
In the opening game at Hilda Skeene, Clarkes Hill, hit by the loss of Hunte, Richard Marshall and diminutive defender Brian Newton, oppose an Empire side which may lose goalkeeper Dario Weir and striker Renaldo Seale to the BDF Sports Programme at 6 p.m.
The feature game at 8 p.m will be a Christ Church affair between the returning Parish Land and Maxwell.
