Freeman’s Village Scorpions and English Harbour FC got off to winning starts in the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) Playoffs when action kicked off at the FA’s Technical Center on Wednesday.
Playing in the feature clash at the Sir Sydney Walling Highway facility, Scorpions were propelled by a double strike from former national player, Roy Gregory with single conversions from Darius Hector and Junior Lee as they beat SAP FC 4-1.
Hector put Scorpions ahead in minute 25, some 12 minutes before SAP was reduced to 10 men after Claudian Chapman picked up his second yellow in minute 37. Gregory scored his first of two goals on the stroke of halftime as Scorpions when into interval two-nil up.
Scorpions pulled further away in minute 55 as Lee hit the back of the net from close range. Former national striker, Peter “Big Pete” Byers scored what would turn out to a consolation goal when he netted in minute 86 for SAP.
Gregory tied the three points in a bow for Scorpions, completing his brace in the 96th minute to give his team a 4-1 triumph.
SAP, on Sunday, will seek to salvage their promotion hopes when they face Attacking Saints who finished fifth from bottom in the Premier Division.
Meanwhile, former top flight champions English Harbour edged Second Division counterparts Sea View Fam 2-1 in the Second Division vs First Division playoffs.
Former national striker Akeem Weekes put English Harbour ahead in the 40th minute but striker Kevin Warner nullified Weekes’ strike with a 57th minute conversion of his own to draw Sea View Farm level at 1-1.
English Harbour however, found the winner in minute 86 when Nosakhare Edoleyi shook the back of the opponent’s net to send their supporters into mad celebrations. The results mean that Sea View Farm will face First Division’s Tryum FC on Sunday.
