Photo: Barbican captain Alicia James
Defending champions Barbican FC will look to defend their title in the final of the Sherwin Williams Women’s Premier League today when they face first time finalists Arnett Gardens FC at the Waterhouse Mini-Stadium starting at 5:00pm.
Both teams have met twice before this season having been drawn in the same group at the start of the competition. The first time the teams met, Barbican came away with a narrow 1-0 victory, before Arnett became the first and only team to hold them this season, following a 0-0 score line at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.
Those two results have left Arnett Gardens quietly confident of pulling off a surprise win despite the astonishing record the champions possess. Barbican won all three titles last season and has already claimed the Mid-Season and Knock-Out titles this season. They will be looking to claim yet another league title against a team that is entering new territory.
Alicia James has put the injury worries of last season behind her and has guided Barbican to the brink of yet another league title. Tashana Vincent has been a goal scoring machine in the league for the champions, with 18 so far. She will be looking to add to her tally in the final game of the season.
The Jerome Waite coached Arnett Gardens are unlikely to be overawed as a number of their players, especially in defence have been in the league for a long time. While it is historic for the team to reach this stage, inexperience may not be a huge factor come game time.
National representative Shantal Bailey played for Barbican and lifted three trophies last season, but returned home to help take Arnett to the brink of history. She leads the team with eleven goals and the responsibility of getting by Barbican will rest heavily on her shoulders.
Charles Edwards does not know how to lose and has prepared Barbican to win every game. The team is vastly experienced and solid from front to back. It would take a brave man to bet against Barbican, but with the earlier results being as close as they have been the ‘Junglists’ may just spring a surprise.
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