BESCO Pastures takes National First Division Football Title

Any casual visitor to the Victoria Park last Friday evening might have thought the title decider in the First Division of the National Lotteries Authority National Club Championships was a scrimmage among some sweaters instead of virtual final in a national competition.{{more}}

Billed as the championship decider, much was expected between BESCO Pastures and K & R Strikers, but the encounter never came close to its intent.

A superbly taken right footer by national Under-20 and senior player Ronsil Badnock, early in the second half, that broke the dead lock, may be the only thing that was worthy of mention in a match that lacked lustre.

Thereafter, it was all down hill as K & R Strikers players were more concerned with passing judgment on the match officials instead of competing for the title. Such was their preoccupation that one player took voluntary leave from the field of play, while others had to be restrained from doing so, when Pastures netted their second goal.

Pastures, through strikes from Shemmol Trimmingham, Reginald Richards, Rafeek Francis and Winston Charles ended the episode of Football mockery, as referee Clemroy “Bert” Francois tried to keep order and the tempers of players in check.

At times, the K& R Strikers goal keeper, Ossie Dennie, in keeping with the mood, chose not to hold his position between the uprights, and was in the thick of things in the outfield.

The win by Pastures pushed them to 23 points, while K & R Strikers, which only needed a draw to be crowned champions, remained on 21 points.

Pastures and Avenues, the winners of the Premier Division, are the two oldest Football clubs which participated in the national championships.

Both teams are assured of spots in the Premier Division of the next championships.

They will take the places of Predators and United Force, which finished eleventh and twelfth positions, respectively.

Preceding the First Division final, Predators, with an outside chance of remaining in the top flight, faced Jebelle FC, but failed in the effort, going under 0-4.

Scoring for Jebelle were Roy Marshall, with two goals, Chester Morgan, one and Bertram Pitt netting the other.

The championships are expected to come to an end this weekend with the remaining fixtures in the Premier Division. (RT)