The inaugural Williams Equipment Pre-Season tournament has served up some major upsets already in the first round of the competition since its kick off on Errol Barrow Day.
Twenty goals have been scored and for the moment Waterford Compton, who narrowly survived relegation last year and, along with newly promoted Silver Sands, are the first to claim their scalps.
The Pre-Season tournament, which is designed to prepare the teams for the upcoming Premier League tournament starting in March, also highlighted the work which is needed by Rendezvous after they were blanked 9-1 by a not so impressive looking Brittons Hill side on Tuesday.
In the first games at Bayville last Sunday night in front of an eager crowd, Home Improvement Hardware Compton picked up the first points in Zone 3 from a 1-0 win over Empire.
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Foiled attempts
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This one could have gone either way with Empire getting most of the possession but foiled most of their attempts on goal. Compton, on the other hand, look much improved on their Premier League showing last year and seemingly have done some work in their defence. They were able to hold on for the win after their early lead.
The night-capper saw home team Notre Dame breaking even with the Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme. This is always a tricky affair for the Sports Programme team but they looked to have broken the jinx when they scored first. Dames, however, pulled back the equaliser and held on for the 1-1 draw.
When the action moved to Friendship on Tuesday night, an impressive Silver Sands stunned the 2016 Premier League winners UWI Blackbirds in their Zone 1 contest. The Christ Church team scored two goals up in quick succession before the Blackbirds pulled one back. Both teams scored again with Silver Sands registering a 3-2 win on the night. This will certainly boost their confidence going in to the second round of games.
The shock of the night came with a major blowout between Brittons Hill and Rendezvous. The latter, which is still short of their full roster of players, looked way below their level when they finished third in the 2017 Premier League. A mediocre looking Brittons Hill made the most of the weakened ranks to put nine goals past the keeper. To their credit, Rendezvous managed not to leave empty-handed and pulled out a consolation goal.
The second round kicks off on Sunday at the Orange Hill ground where Zone 1 will be on show once again. Zone leaders Brittons will tackle Silver Sands in a top-of-the-table clash at 6 p.m. while Rendezvous and the UWI Blackbirds will fight to get off the mark at 8 p.m.
The Cup then moves to Porey Spring, St Thomas, on Tuesday night and then on to Bridgefield on Thursday.
There is no admission for the games so come out and support your favourite Premier League side. (BFA)
