Paradise, Mavericks remain unbeaten in Prime Minister’s Cup for Women

Mavericks forward Aaliyah Prince has scored a tournament leading ten goals in four games. (Photo by: The Prime Minister’s Cup / YouTube) Barbados Football Association Kotex Women’s League champions Paradise and Mavericks both registered big wins to remain unbeaten, as group stage action in the Prime Minister’s Cup for Women continued at the Speightown Playing Field on Sunday. Playing in the opening game, Mavericks came from a goal down to hammer Kickstart Rush Women 9-2, and move to 10 points from their four Group Two games. Kickstart Rush remained third on three points from their two games. Kickstart made a bright start, thanks to a third minute goal from Shamanda Blenman-Murray. Mavericks drew level through Makela Alleyne in the 18th minute, however in the 22nd minute through tournament top scorer Aaliyah Prince. The floodgates then burst open as Mavericks went on a goal spree before half-time, with Prince scoring twice more and Alexia Ali finding the net on three occasions. You Might Be Interested In Amid the carnage, Nadisha Jardine pulled a goal back for Kickstart Rush, but the Wildey based side still trailed 7-2 at half time. Prince grabbed her fourth goal in the 65th minute, and Alleyne added her second as Mavericks romped to a 9-2 win. Prince was named Player-of-the-Match for the third time in four games, with the Trinidad and Tobago international extending her lead to 10 goals at the top of the golden boot standings. In the evening’s second women’s encounter, Paradise made it three wins in as many games, to maintain a perfect record at the top of Group One, thanks to an 8-0 rout of Fitts Village Femeni. A brace from Keinelle Johnson, along with goals from Soraya Toppin-Herbert, Shanice Stevenson, Rianna Cyrus and Solange Holford saw Paradise cruise into a 6-0 half time lead. Toppin-Herbert then grabbed her second goal of the game in the 48th minute to complete the 8-0 victory. Paradise have now scored a tournament leading 27 goals from their three games, to maintain their status as one of the favourites for the title. They have also conceded the fewest goals so far (two) and have the competition’s best goal difference (+25). Sunday’s remaining game was a round of 16 men’s encounter between Kickstart Rush and Whitehall, which Kickstart Rush won 2-1 to book their place in the quarter finals. A dramatic first half saw Jacob Bishop of Kickstart receive a red card in the second minute, before Honor Bradshaw of Whitehall scored an own goal shortly before half time to hand Kickstart the lead. Kickstart extended their advantage to 2-0 in the 56th minute through Romario Drakes, before Bradshaw found the back of the net in the 65th minute, but this time for Whitehall. Kickstart Rush ultimately held on to their 2-1 advantage until the final whistle, to book a quarter final date with defending champions Weymouth Wales on November 16. (KH)