Parham’s Anthony Modeste (right) accepts the Premier Division trophy from President of Antigua & Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) Everton “Batow” Gonsalves, while striker Jamie Thomas celebrates in the background. (Photo by Thaddeus Price)
Asot’s Arcade Parham FC solidified their status as 2010/11 champions of the Digicel and OBSERVER Media Group Premier Division football competition on Sunday with a 4-1 victory over former champions, Bassa FC.
Playing in the feature match of a triple-header at Antigua Recreation Grounds (ARG), Parham dominated play against a young Bassa squad, scoring in the fifth minute when the league’s chief marksman, Kerry “Arab” Skepple hit past Hollis Simon in goal from just inside the 18 yards box.
Parham gained a further advantage within the first minute of the second half when Bassa defender Ashton “Luchie” Cyrillien inadvertently put the ball past his own custodian.
Parham continued to pressure the young but willing Bassa squad and found additional success in minute 58 when Grenadian midfielder Ricky Charles pushed home from close range.
The former champs were, however, gifted with an own goal when a pass that was intended for goalkeeper Keita DeCastro, rolled past the custodian and into the back of the net in the 72nd minute.
National striker Peter “Big Pete” Byers sealed the match in minute 90 after running through the Bassa defence, eluding the advancing Simon and slotting into the back of the vacant net.
The victory saw Parham onto 38 points from 18 matches with 12 victories, four losses and two draws, while Bassa finished fifth in the standings with 23 points.
Meanwhile, Champion Footwear Greenbay Hoppers clinched the runners-up spot with a 2-0 victory over neighbours Cool & Smooth Empire when they met in the day’s second contest.
Tamarley “Ziggy” Thomas netted in minute 40, while Mitchley Waul added a second in minute 81 as Hoppers moved onto 35 points from 18 matches.
Hoppers’ second place finish followed a 1-0 defeated for LIME Old Road who went down to Sugar Ridge Sap in the day’s opening contest.
An 80th minute strike by Okeem “Soda” Challenger gave the Sap men a much needed three points as they avoided the automatic two-team relegation zone, sending FBO 2000 Villa Lions crashing out of the top league along with A&R Smitty.
Sap ended the competition on 22 points but will have to contest a three-team round robin playoff with the teams placing third and fourth in First Division for a third and final spot in Premier Division.
