Thirteen times Antigua & Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) Digicel OBSERVER Media Group Premier Division champions Cool & Smooth Empire failed to live up to the expectations of their fans.
After two successive defeats in which nine goals were scored against them, it was anticipated that Empire would strike back against FBO 2000 Villa Lions to avoid a third straight defeat; but that was not to be.
Playing in the second game of a triple-header after the Cool & Smooth Business League finals, Empire looked a weary team, and it was this fatigue that the roaring Lions took full advantage of.
After a goalless first half in which Villa had the most chances to score, it was not so in the second half.
Captain Michael Roberts shot home in the 61st minute after which Franklyn Samuel made it two-nil just five minutes later.
Empire were not able to regroup and with the loss of William Lewis due to injury, the defence continued to be shaky.
But Villa did not score any more goals and the win lifted them to 19 points and away from the relegation zone for the sixth straight year.
In a goalless effort, Ting All Saints United drew with Hospitality Services Sea View Farm in the first match of a triple-header on Sunday.
All Saints and Villa have moved ahead of Sap by virtue of a better goal difference.
Sap’s five-nil defeat to Parham in the second leg of Premier Division’s double-header on Saturday means that they are now sharing the relegation zone with A&R Smitty.
