Former Premier Division champions, Five Islands FC, picked up a crucial 2-1 victory over Garden Stars FC on Saturday, as attention turned to the battle to stave off automatic relegation from the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association’s (ABFA) top flight with defending champions All Saints United having already wrapped up the title.
Playing in the opening clash of a triple-header at the body’s Technical Center on the Sir Sydney Walling Highway, Five Islands fell behind in the 16th minute when Garden Stars’ Kemoi Walsh struck from close range.
The strike would take Stars into the break as one-nil leaders but Five Islands drew level just three minutes after the resumption via a Demario Roberts 48th minute conversion. Five Islands found renewed energy and it paid dividends in the 63rd when Jaheim Jeremy put them ahead.
The contest would end in Five Islands’ favour as they edge to 17 points with one match to play and fifth from bottom on the standings, just one place up from the automatic four team relegation zone. Garden Stars, who has had a good run in the competition this season, remains on 37points after 18 matches and third on the standings.
Meanwhile, Pigotts Bullets FC all but sealed Greenbay Hoppers’ demotion to the First Division, following a 3-0 triumph over the former champions in the night’s second encounter.
There were goals from Sujae McBean in the 20th minute, Akeem Isaac in the 51st and Xavier Smith in the 83rd as Bullets move to 34 points from their quota of 19 matches and fifth on the 14-team standings.
The loss was Hoppers’ 13th in 18 showings as they remain second from bottom with just 11 points and one match to play. Even with a win in their final contest, the Greenbay men will play in the First Division next season.
In Saturday’s feature contest, FC Aston Villa hammered Grenades FC 6-1 to carry their tally of points to 33 with one match to play.
Eroy Gonsalves led with a double for FC Aston Villa, netting in minutes 43 and 81. There were single conversions from Kwame Kirby in the 40th, Sean Tomlinson in the 60th, Novelle Francis in the 90th and Jhalanie Barzey in the 90+3 all for FC Aston Villa. Eugine Kirwan scored the only goal for Grenades when he struck in minute 68 as the Jennings men finish second on the standings for a second straight year.
