By Neto Baptiste
A one-nil win over FC Aston Villa on Saturday, ensured that back-to-back defending champions, All Saints United, remain atop the standings in the Antigua Premier League (APL) for at least another week as the competition heads into its final five rounds of matches starting next weekend.
National striker, Raheem Deterville, was on target for the All Saints team, striking in the 43rd minute of play as they move to 44 points after 17 matches, six points ahead of former champions Grenades FC who were slated to play their 16th match of the competition this week but will not, due to an international break.
The loss was FC Aston Villa’s fifth in 16 matches as they remain on 33 points and in the top five in the 12-team standings.
Also on Saturday, former champions Old Road held nothing back against the relegation-threatened John Hughes, crushing their opponents 10-2 in the feature contest.
Three players scored hattricks with Kevon Lucas getting his three within the first 40 minutes, hitting the back of the net in the 10th, 24th and 37th. There was a triple as well for Rakeem Joseph as he struck in the 63rd, 82nd and 90th minutes while Chantomoi Taylor netted in the 57th, 83rd and 85th for his hattrick. Obediah Browne scored the other goal in the onslaught when he netted in the 75th.
Terrance Thomas picked up a brace for John Hughes, striking in minutes 47 and 90+3.
The win lifts Old Road to 32 points after 17 showings as they remain in the top five while John Hughes continues to struggle in the bottom three with just 10 points after their 17 outings. The four teams at the bottom of the standings at the end of the season will be automatically relegated to the First Division.
