All Saints – By Neto Baptiste
All Saints United Back
Back to back defending champions, All Saints United, regained control of the Antigua Premier League (APL) with a two-nil triumph over the struggling Jennings United at the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association’s (ABFA) Technical Center on the Sir Sydney Walling Highway.
Playing in the second game of a triple-header on Sunday, United struck twice in the second half after both teams failed to convert chances in the opening 45 minutes of play.
Zafique Drew struck 10 minutes following the restart to put the All Saints men out front one-nil before national striker Raheem Deterville doubled his team’s lead in the 67th and secure all three points for United.
The win carries the defending champions to 32 points, the same as former champions Grenades but United boasts a better goal difference to that of their rivals. Jennings United continues to struggle on the bottom on the standings with just three points.
Meanwhile, for a second straight week, title contenders FC Aston Villa dropped what could prove to be crucial points when they were beaten 2-0 by Pigotts Bullets in the night’s feature contest.
Sujae McBean opened the scoring for Bullets in the 49th minute, striking from inside the area following a scoreless first half. Javier Wilmott put the game beyond doubt when he doubled Bullets’ advantage in the 56th minute.
The win carries Bullets to 24 points and fifth on the 12-team standings while Villa remains third on the standings with 27 points despite the latest loss.
In Sunday’s opening clash, Potters Tigers roared past former champions Old Road 2-1 to move up the standings as they continue to improve their chances of a profitable finish.
Old Road went ahead in the third minute via a Shakore Simon conversion but the celebrations were short-lived as Javorn Benjamin drew Potters level five minutes later. Kelvin Carr secured all three points for Tigers when he struck in the 55th minute.
Old Road went a player down in the 90th after Daniel Nanton picked up a second yellow.
Potters moves to 19 points after 13 showings and seventh on the standings while Old Road drops to fourth with 26 points.
