By Neto Baptiste
There were wins for former Premier Division champions Greenbay Hoppers and SAP as the race for promotion to the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) top flight continued at venues across the island on Tuesday.
Facing longtime rivals and also former top flight champions Parham FC at the FA’s Technical Center, Hoppers were easy 3-0 winners as they remain in the top three on the standings.
Following a goalless first half, Da Paul George put Hoppers ahead after 60 minutes and seemingly softened the Parham defense, as just eight minutes later, former national striker Javorn Stevens doubled Hoppers’ lead. Tyree Archibald put the icing on the cake for the Greenbay men when he struck from close range just five minutes later.
Five cards were issued during the fixture with four cautions and one expulsion. The lone red was issued to Parham’s Jahqure Armstrong in the 61st minute.
Meanwhile, former back-to-back champions SAP FC enjoyed a hard-fought 2-1 win over home team Golden Grove.
The visitors signalled their intentions early in the contest with Emerson Henry putting them ahead in the 15th minute. Eight minutes later, Devonta Geran doubled SAP’s advantage when he struck from close range. It was only in the dying stages of the contest that the home team would record a consolation goal, netting in the 75th minute via a Darryl Samuel strike.
A total of seven cards were issued in the match with two SAP players, Delante Phoenix and Henry having to leave the field in the 83rd and 88th minutes respectively, after both of them picked up a second yellow.
There was victory as well for former Premier Division champions Five Islands as they beat Willikies 2-0. Jamal Joseph and Cody Richardson were on target for the winners.
Also on Tuesday, Earthquakes FC defeated JSC Progressors 2-1 when they met at Fort Road. Shakir Harris had put Progressors ahead when he struck in the 30th minute but Earthquakes were back on level terms just one minute later via an Ajay Barthley strike.
Shakir Perry found the winner on the stroke of fulltime when he hit the target in the 90th minute to secure all three points for the home team.
