By William Ysaguirre (Freelance Writer)

BELIZE CITY, Mon. Sept. 29, 2025

   Port Layola FC moved up to 2nd place in the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2025-2026 Opening Season with 11 pts, as they enjoyed their 3rd victory, 3-2, over Progresso FC at the People’s Stadium on Sunday afternoon, September 28.

   Gilroy “Laing” Thurton (14’) opened the scoreboard for Port Layola from a 40-yard set piece. Thurton had lobbed the ball into the goal area, for one of his teammates to finish the play, but Progresso’s goalkeeper Selvin Sagastume misjudged the ball, thinking it would go out. Instead it rebounded off the far left upright and into the net: 1-0.

   It was not quite the auspicious start that Progresso’s new technical director, Charlie Slusher had hoped for, and he introduced Calvin Reid to relieve defender Marlon Gutierrez, after he got a yellow card on his first foul. Rene Leslie (31’) drilled the equalizer past Port Layola’s substitute goalkeeper, Carlos Palacio, guarding the web instead of usual starting goalkeeper, Charles Tillett, who was sitting out a red card suspension.

   Mikey Palacio eluded Progresso defender Ricky Gillett on the left side of the 18-yard box to center the ball into the goal area, as Argentine import Fernando Aguirres (39’) escaped Naim “Nemo” Wilson’s marking to slam it past Sagastume for a 2nd goal: 2-1 Port Layola at the half.

   Port’s coach, Ryan Simpson introduced Emmanuel Samuels and Tyrese Augustine to relieve Mikey Palacio and Shemar “Busta” Thomas, who limped off the field, and Enfield “Bolo” Nuñez led the Port defense with Brian Chavez, Louis Valdez and Colombian import Ernesto Caicedo, as they tried to lock up shop to secure the 2-1 win, while Progresso’s Latrell Middleton, Keydenshay Bowen and Alden Castillo pressed for the equalizer. Slusher introduced Walter Gomez to replace Alden Castillo, who created the opportunity for Rene Leslie (56’) to equalize the score at 2-2.

   Trimayne “Peppa” Harris and Akeem “Bib” Sutherland came off the bench for Port to relieve Aguirres and Shawn Young, and the game was in injury time when Thurton, attacking on the left flank, served a perfect pass across the mouth of the goal for Harris (90+1’) to tap the ball into the empty net: 3-2 final for Port Layola.

   At Marshalleck Stadium on Saturday night, undefeated Verdes FC enjoyed their 5th win, 1-0, over winless Benque Viejo United, when Eldon “Tuncy” Reneau (52’) converted a penalty; thus, Verdes continue to lead the league with 17 pts.

   At the Carl Ramos Stadium on Sunday, Wagiya SC held Napoles FC scoreless until Jonard Castillo (82’) delivered the coup de grace for Wagiya to enjoy their 3rd win, 1-0. The loss bumped Napoles down to 4th place, while Wagiya, now with 10 pts, leapfrogged into 5th place over Progresso, who fell to 6th place in the standings, with only 8 pts.

   Upcoming weekend matches:

Saturday night, October 4

Napoles FC vs Verdes FC at Isidoro Beaton Stadium

Sunday, October 5

Port Layola FC vs Wagiya SC at Marion Jones Sports Complex

Progresso FC vs Belmopan FC at People’s Stadium