Wales crowned Premier League champs for fifth straight year
Weymouth Wales wrapped up their successful 2026 Barbados Football Association Premier League campaign in thrilling fashion at the Wildey Technical Centre last night.
Rashad Smith scored in the dying seconds of the final game of the season, as the defending champions came from a goal down to defeat Eyre’s Meat Shop Pride of Gall Hill 2-1
In the opening exchanges Gall Hill took the fight to a much changed Wales team, as coach Asquith Howell made major changes to his starting line up with the title already secured.
Therefore, it came as no surprise when Gall HIll took the lead via Tyrico Bellamy in the 17th minute.
They maintained that lead until two minutes into the second half, when Armando Lashley scored for the second time in as many games to equalise for Wales.
With both teams actively seeking the full points, Wales dominated possession after a series of substitutions. Gall Hill however, dug deep defensively and looked to capitalise on any counterattacking opportunities.
Entering the game, Wales had secured victories in five of their last six encounters near the 90-minute mark. This was to be the case once again, as Smith slotted past the Gall Hill keeper from close range at an acute angle with the final kick of the game.
Speaking during an interview with Barbados TODAY following the game, Howell reflected on what has been a challenging season for Wales.
“I said to them ahead of the second round that we had a miserable first round and really needed to step it up and win the championship by winning all nine remaining games,” he revealed.
It was a fifth consecutive Premier League title for Wales and Howell described this year’s battle as one of the toughest.
“Every single team that we played this season took us to the baller from game one to game 18. I mean every single team, even the two that were relegated. Nevertheless, we held firm and that’s how champions do,” Howell said.
With two other titles at stake, the coach said he is already plotting the path for another possible hat-trick of domestic titles for Wales this year.
“We have to be prepared now for the knockout competition starting from Sunday and then after the knockout, we then step up a gear and go into the CFU Club Shield and from there we go on to the CFU Caribbean Cup hopefully. Then it’s back home to defend our title in the Prime Minister’s Cup,” he said.
That result saw Wales end the season on 43 points, well ahead of second placed Kickstart Rush, who had earlier defeated Paradise 2-1 to finish in second position on 36 points. Last year’s runners-up Brittons Hill United completed the top three after amassing 35 points.
Kickstart Rush and Paradise came into their final game of the season knowing the winner would clinch second place.
After a goalless first half, Kemar Johnson grabbed the opening goal for Kickstart Rush in the 53rd minute, before Shamar Harewood replied shortly afterwards for Paradise in the 61st minute.
With neither team content to play for a draw and the action end to end, Tekyle Alleyne-Callender’s goal in the 77th minute sparked pandemonium on the Kickstart bench.
It was a fitting end for Kickstart Rush head coach Renaldo Gilkes, who announced before the game that he would be exiting the role to concentrate more on the administrative end of the club’s operations.
Departing Kickstart Rush head coach, Renaldo Gilkes. (Photo Credit: Kurtis Hinds /Barbados TODAY)
“I’m still trying to digest everything. As I was sitting on the bench, realising that it would be my final game coaching this men’s team, I started to get a little bit overwhelmed with emotion.
“A lot of these players I would have had at youth level, some of my toughest times in football I spent with these gentlemen, and I just want to thank the players, the supporters and everybody who had a hand in my tenure here at Kickstart,” Gilkes said.
“In terms of the league, we are still a very young team and I think the guys showed a lot of tenacity, a lot of vigor. I couldn’t have asked anymore from these fellas in terms of effort. They’re a fantastic group of players and this is just the start of our journey in the Premier League.”
(KH)
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المصدر: Barbados Today
