Paradise Football Club kicked off their Barbados Football Association (BFA) Premier League campaign on Sunday with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the UWI Blackbirds
WILDEY, Barbados – Paradise Football Club kicked off their Barbados Football Association (BFA) Premier League campaign on Sunday with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the University of the West Indies (UWI) Blackbirds. In a match defined by tactical discipline and defensive grit, it was a familiar face who ultimately broke the deadlock to haunt his former side.
The headline story of the afternoon belonged to Jaron Oughterson, Paradise’s latest high-profile acquisition. After a balanced and scoreless first half where both sides neutralized each other’s flanks, Oughterson stepped up in the 70th minute. Connecting with a perfectly weighted pass from the pacey Shamari Harewood, the national midfielder struck home at the back post to give Paradise the decisive lead.
The goal was a moment of pure quality in a heavyweight clash that had, until then, been a stalemate between two evenly matched defensive units.
Coached by former national captain Mario Harte, the Paradise backline showcased impressive chemistry and a clear hierarchy. The heart of the defense was anchored by the steady, veteran presence of Ramon Manning, who provided the leadership necessary to organize the unit. Beside him, newcomer Russell Taylor slotted in seamlessly at center back, proving his worth in his debut by helping to shut down UWI’s access to the box. Raquan Clarke (right center back) and newcomer Jaiden Miller (left wing back) were instrumental in neutralizing UWI’s attacking pace.
The encounter was a tactical battle from the start. Paradise's attacking line, featuring Tyrel Rayside-Demondonca and Oughterson, applied consistent pressure on the Blackbirds. However, UWI goalkeeper K’Den Hee-Chung kept his side in the hunt for much of the match, producing a series of phenomenal saves to deny Paradise captain Jomo Harris and his frontline earlier in the game.
The match also featured an intriguing subplot on the wing, where Paradise’s Miller went head-to-head with former teammate Travon Wickham in a physical and competitive battle for territory.
With three vital points secured against a powerhouse like UWI, Paradise FC has signaled they are ready for a title charge. While the offense found the breakthrough, the cohesive display from the backline suggests that Paradise will be a very difficult team to break down this season.
Match Results at a Glance:
Score: Paradise FC 1 - 0 UWI Blackbirds
Goal Scorer: Jaron Oughterson (70’)
Clean Sheet: Paradise Defense / Jireh Malcolm
