Championship hopefuls Grenades FC picked up their 11th victory in 13 matches as they maintain a one-point advantage in the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) Premier Division heading into the group stage of the competition on Sunday, edging former champions Old Road FC 2-1.
Playing at the FA’s Technical Center, Grenades had goals from Quinton Grifith in minute 63 and Barrington Blake 90+5 as they played from behind to win close contest and take their tally of points to 35 from 13 showings. They are one point ahead of defending champions All Saints United who have 34 from the same number of showings.
Joshua Ferdinand scored the lone goal for Old Road when he put them ahead on minute 38. The round south men remain on 28 points from their 13 matches and third on the standings.
Meanwhile, Potters Tigers were comfortable 4-1 winners over Five Islands FC also on Sunday. Tigers were led by a double strike from Javorn Benjamin who struck in minutes 51 and 88. There were single conversions from Keon Greene in the 30th and Bryan Daniel in the 49th all for the victors as they move to 17 points from 13 matches and seventh on the standings.
Juan Melenciano Jr scored the only goal for Five Islands in minute 71 as they remain fourth from bottom on the standings with 10 points. Seven yellow cards were issued during the match with six of them issued to Five Islands.
Daniel Alejandro Fernandez Perez, Tyrese Joseph, Shakeme Joseph, Marcus Marlan Johnson, Naheem Francis and Shaquan Tonge of Five Islands were all cautioned during the contest while Delano Gilead of Potters was also issued a yellow card.
The competition will now enter its group stage with the 14 competing teams placed in two groups of seven. They will play each other once with the points picked up in the group stage then added to points collected in the round-robin stage. The team finishing with the most points will be declared winners of the competition.
Group 1: Grenades FC, Pigotts Bullets FC, FC Aston Villa, John Hughes, Green City, Willikies, Hoppers.
Group 2: All Saints United, Old Road, Garden Stars, Potters Tigers, Attacking Saints, Five Islands, Parham.
