Defending champions Weymouth Wales booked their place in the Prime Minister’s Cup Round of 16 after veteran striker Armando Lashley’s second-half penalty secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Cave Hill in Group E action at Speightstown on Sunday.
With the game still goalless at half-time, Wales coach Asquith Howell made three changes, bringing on Ackeel Applewhaite for Kemar Headley, Jaheim Neblett for Najee Holder and Rommell Bynoe for Rashad Smith.
It was Bynoe who made a telling contribution just seconds later, when his run into the penalty area went unnoticed by the Cave Hill defence. Goalkeeper Ivan Griffith raced off his line in an effort to avert the danger but fouled Bynoe and was booked.
Lashley stepped up and confidently converted the resulting penalty, taking his tally to a competition-leading five goals in three games and securing Wales a place in the round of 16.
Following the game, Player-of-the-Match Lashley admitted he was not entirely satisfied with his team’s overall performance.
“It was sub-par but we got the job done,” he stated candidly.
Reflecting on his form in front of goal, Lashley says he remains confident as usual and has been keeping himself sharp by training hard and getting adequate rest.
He also backed his team to continue improving, saying they had a very good squad and that anyone could earn a place in the starting 11.
In the evening’s opening game, Notre Dame moved into second place in Group E and also secured a place in the round of 16 with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Bagatelle.
Player-of-the-Match Donte Thorne scored the opening goal in the sixth minute, before Carl Joseph doubled Notre Dame’s advantage in the 65th minute.
Any thoughts of a late Bagatelle fightback were dashed when Ozim Henderson made it 3-0 to Notre Dame in the 73rd minute following an assist from Delani Woodall, and capped the victory with a goal of his own in the 78th minute.
Speaking after the game, Thorne was elated that his team had advanced to the knockout stage of the competition.
“It was a nice goal. It is always good to score and build some confidence but most importantly advance to the next round.
“The coach and the boys have been putting in the work (in training) and as you can see it has paid off.”
In Saturday’s Group C action at the same venue, Paradise also secured their place in the next round emphatically as group winners after an 8-0 drubbing of Technique.
Player-of-the-Match Sheran Hoyte scored four goals, while Romario Drakes added a brace. Paradise’s other goals came from Shamari Harewood and Tyreese Crawford.
Earlier, Pro Shottas defeated L&R United 4-0 to finish as runners-up in Group C and secure their place in the next round.
They scored through Nathan McCollin, Zavion Nurse and Xavier Webster
(KH)
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