FIVE-TIME champions Parliament FC are on the verge of not making it to the last eight of the Eddie Hart Football League for the second season in a row, following a goalless stalemate with Spain Slappers in a Group B encounter.
Playing the second game of a doubleheader at the Eddie Hart Savannah (EHS) in Tacarigua on Saturday night, the former champs entered the very important fixture with five points after two draws, a win and a defeat.
They missed a very good opportunity to take advantage of Slappers' shortcomings in the first half since Slappers started the contest with ten players. Slappers were at full strength at the beginning of the second session however, after Parliament dominated the first 40 minutes.
But Parliament were denied any success mainly due to their poor finishing and at times, by some excellent goalkeeping by the Slappers custodian.
His most memorable save of all came at the death when he flung himself airborne to his left to produce a two-hand parry to deny Parliament's veteran striker Leo Wyle's powerful header from just inside the six-yard box.
The result leaves the multi-title holders very little chance of making the cut to the next round since they have only two more games to complete their group stage. If they are victorious in both matches, they might be able to squeeze through as one of the two best third-place finishers.
On the other hand, Slappers will welcome the point that took their tally to 11 from five games and gave them leadership of the group. Petit Bourg Youths are in second spot with ten points, also from five matches.
In other results last week, Trincity Nationals kept their hopes alive of making it to the next phase, when they chalked up a second consecutive win via a 2-1 triumph over Lopinot United, following three straight draws to start the season.
Nationals have now moved into third place in Group B. Daniel Mickel and Robert Alexis netted for Trincity Nationals, while Keon Reid converted a penalty for Lopinot last week Tuesday.
On the same night, FC Barca hammered 1TRR 6-0 in a Group A clash.
Striker Nathan Lewis hit the back of the net on three occasions, while there was a goal each for Akeem Lynch, Richard Alleyne and Dwayne Bain. It was Barca's second win in three games in Group A.
Defending champions MAASH International lead Group A with 10 points from fours matches. Ex-champs Santos FC and Malabar FC are locked on seven points in second spot after four and five matches respectively.
CAPS maintained their unbeaten run in Group C with a confident 4-2 over La Horquetta. They now have nine points and are in second spot behind leaders Bon Air FC, (12 points).
Also last week, Paradise FC picked up three vital points following a 2-1 win over La Horquetta . Steffon Peters and Vernon Joseph were the providers for Paradise.
Talented Jade Wills was the marksman for La Horquetta, whose finishing has left a lot to be desired in this campaign. This was Paradise's maiden win of the season. In Group A last Monday, Malabar FC and University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) played to a 1-1 draw.