[FOOTBALL]

Posted May 3, 6:35 P.M.

Defending Premier League Champions Anchor Queen's Park Rangers kicked off the 2003/04 Grenada Football Association (GFA) season with a 4-1 victory over CableVision St Andrew's Football League on Saturday at the Tanteen Recreation Ground.

QPR, who received the major awards in last year's season, gave an early warning to their rivals.

Finbar Williams (31st) and Akenson Neckles (35th) gave QPR the advantage at the interval but Leon Charles struck back for SAFL in the 64th minute, following up on free-kick in which goalkeeper Desmond Noel failed to collect cleanly.

Patrick Modeste, who penetrated SAFL's defence on numerous occasions, added two within ten minutes of each other.

Modeste dribbled two defenders and then drew the goalkeeper with a fake before netting in the 80th minute and then ten minutes later took the challenge to the line before pushing the ball to the goalkeeper's left.

The victory will motivate the QPR team which is favoured for a repeat this season.

Earlier, prizes won in the 2002/03 season were presented.

Desmond Noel of Queen's Park Rangers received the best goalkeeper award; Nigel Bishop of Demerara Mutual GBSS, the golden boot award and Patrick Modeste of QPR, the most valuable player award.

The tournament resumes on Tuesday with a First Division encounter featuring R.K. Rental Ball Dogs and St John's Sports at the Beausejour Playing Field.