Defending Island Soccer League (ISL) champions Kings defeated the Royal 4-3 in a tense golden goal match at National Sports Centre (NSC).

After a goalless first-half on Tuesday night, fireworks went off in the third quarter when Clay Darrell broke the deadlock after getting on the end of a cross to give the Kings the lead 1-0.

Before anyone could catch their breath, the scores were level via a powerful strike from marksman Adrian Burrows.

Chris Anderson gave the Kings the lead 2-1 when he converted from the penalty spot after Darrell was brought down.

Jelani Butterfield equalised for the Royal four minutes into the quarter. A shot from Jemeiko Jennings was saved but the rebound fell to Butterfield who made no mistake from close range.

Aquino Grant put the Kings ahead once again, but they conceded 10 seconds later when Burrows found the target again.

With no further goals, the teams went into golden goal overtime with Anderson scoring with 44 seconds remaining from a shootout, to give the Kings the thrilling 4-3 win.

"Tuesday night's match was important for the simple fact that it gave us a chance to bounce back and get on top of things once again", said the Kings coach Marvin Belboda.

"We have three games left so it is a matter of winning them and getting ourselves into a position to make the play-offs and defend our title. "I didn't have my full team at my disposal, so it was more or less defending the first portion of the game. If they don't score, we don't lose."

He added: "We let them right back in each time through silly errors.

"Teams tend to switch off after they score and they capitalised each time.

"If we do then we can take the mindset that we are the champions and everyone is out to get us.

"We want to stay focused on the task and apply ourselves."

In the opening game, the Arsenal continued their poor start to the season, losing to the Union 7-3.

Dwyia Blyden gave the Arsenal the early lead in the first quarter, but it was cancelled out when a strike from the Union's Kamen Tucker went through a maze of players and beat the Arsenal goalkeeper Dwayne Adams.

In the second quarter Rohaan Simons put the Union 2-1 ahead. Simons received a pass from Dennis Russell and placed his shot between the legs of Adams.

And five minutes later Simons made it 3-1 when he blocked a clearance from Adams and in one swift motion scored with a sublime overhead kick.

Simons completed his hat-trick later in the game, inspiring the Union to a heavy victory.

Tonight the Knights take the Storm at 7.15 p.m. and the Apex face the Titans at 8.45 p.m.