High-Octane Easter AFFL Action in Anguilla

 Source: www.anguillasports.com 
Copyright © Spice Media Group All Rights Reserved. Photos by Ian Connor

The high-octane football action that characterizes the Anguilla female football league (AFFL) continued on Easter Sunday.  In the first encounter the Super Stars (Blue) entertained the Gazelles (Green Uniform) in a very exciting match.  Monique Carty, a corner stone in the Super Stars club tried playing with pulled quadriceps.  Unfortunately that experiment did not work for too long as the Gazelles capitalized on her misfortunes. Sensational Mauricia Sadler exploited Monique Carty and blasted a shot pass the goalie to record the first goal of the day. 

Phenomenal footballer Melissa “Melly” Carty (# 15 blue see photo page) erupted with a series of brilliant plays.  In one such play she almost scored but kicked the ball wide of the goal.  Every one in the crowd awed, as they knew it was the equalizer the Super Stars club was praying for.  In the second half, the attacks and counter attacks caught both defenses sleeping.  However, Kadeema “Kadi” Hodge one of the workaholics on the Super Stars was up to every challenge as she tried to quench any Gazelles advance.

Late in the second half, Melissa Carty with mind numbing dribbling skills took on the Gazelles defense and goalkeeper Ashley Richardson.  Upon passing everyone, she shot at the goal and the crowd was glad to see her efforts rewarded.  Unfortunately, this elation was aborted, as referee Allen Carty denied the goal.  Suddenly every player and coach on the team was dismayed and deflated.  However poetic justice prevailed, as Shadie Richardson (1st photo) headed home the equalizing goal.  The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Maurcia Sadler being adjudged player of the match.

In the second match of the day, Lil Soldiers played against the Shining Stars.  The bright yellow uniforms of the latter mentioned team was indicative of their style of play, beautiful and strong.  Within the first few minutes of play it was evident that midfielders Jaynelle Lake and Claudena Richardson were going to dominate the game.  Both young ladies distributed the ball to attacking forwards Claudicia “Dici” Richardson and Glenicia Boom Boom Richardson.  The Lil Soldiers were not going to be out played as Melisa Anderson and katurah Caines countered every attack with excellent defense and shots on goal. 

Despite the efforts of Lil Soldiers, they could not inhibit the potent feet of Claudena Richardson.  The young lady with her back to goal turned and sent a bullet passed the head of the stunned goalkeeper.  Immediately, multitalented player Katurah Caines returned to the goal to relive her teammate who was feeling the woes of an injured knee.  

Lil Soldiers were not without their chances in the first half but their inability to score goals caught up with them.  The second half saw more pressure being applied to Lil Soldiers by the well-oiled unit of the Shining Stars.  So immense was the pressure that Amber Romney scored an own goal giving the Shining Stars a two-goal lead.  Despite this Melisa Anderson of Lil Soldiers continued working hard and was rewarded by a goal.  In the end Shining Stars won by a score of 2-1.  Isabel Rosario was awarded player of the match.