The 2026 Barbados Football Association Premier League commenced with an electrifying opening night at Wildey Technical Centre, featuring decisive matches that set the tone for the new season. Defending champions Weymouth Wales launched their campaign with a solid 2-0 triumph against newly promoted Bagatelle FC in Sunday’s fixture.
The match witnessed Wales capitalizing on an opportune own goal from Bagatelle during the first half, followed by veteran striker Armando Lashley—the league’s all-time leading scorer—securing the victory with a precisely executed second-half penalty. Despite the loss, Bagatelle demonstrated promising offensive maneuvers that challenged Wales’ defensive line, offering Coach Norman Forde positive aspects to build upon.
Weymouth Wales Head Coach Asquith Howell acknowledged the win while emphasizing the need for improvement. “Our performance reflected a team that has just returned to training after an extended break,” Howell stated. “We will undoubtedly elevate our game as the season progresses.”
The champions fielded a reshaped lineup following the departure of national team captain Andre Applewhaite, who recently signed a professional contract in the United States. New goalkeeper Shaquon Philips started ahead of national custodian Kishmar Primus, while former Deacons FC captain Keon Atkins made his debut as a substitute.
Howell addressed the integration of new players: “Training ground preparation will be essential for their adaptation. Each player brings distinct qualities—for instance, Atkins won’t need to assume the same workload role he previously held at Deacons.”
Having achieved domestic dominance throughout the past decade and notable success in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) competitions last year, Wales has established ambitious objectives for 2026. “We convened this week to outline our targets—retaining the domestic double and advancing further in the CFU Cup to qualify for the Club Championships,” Howell revealed.
In the evening’s subsequent match, Paradise FC claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over UWI Blackbirds, with Jaron Oughterson scoring a decisive second-half goal against his former team. Despite Paradise creating superior opportunities during the first half, Blackbirds’ goalkeeper K’den Hee Chung delivered several crucial saves to maintain a deadlock until halftime.
Paradise coach Mario Harte expressed satisfaction with the result while acknowledging developmental needs. “Securing three points remains paramount during this early phase,” Harte commented. “Integrating new players requires time, and competitive matches accelerate that process.”
Harte highlighted the significant challenge of replacing playmaker Sheran Hoyte, who departed for professional football in Trinidad after outstanding performances in the Prime Minister’s Cup. “Hoyte’s absence creates a substantial void—his knack for scoring crucial goals made him an invaluable asset,” Harte admitted.
The night’s final match saw Kickstart Rush overcome a one-goal deficit to defeat Brittons Hill United 2-1. Corey Hoyte opened the scoring for Brittons Hill in the 10th minute, before Tekyle Alleyne-Callender converted a 33rd-minute penalty and Liam Luke completed the comeback during first-half stoppage time.
Kickstart coach Renaldo Gilkes praised his team’s resilience despite missing several key players. “Brittons Hill consistently presents a tough challenge,” Gilkes noted. “Our experienced players provided vital guidance to younger teammates under pressure, demonstrating exceptional character to start the season positively.”
