EIGHT goals were scored in the Vieux Fort South Football League/Veterans in Sports Inc. One-Day Football Festival on Tuesday at the Phillip Marcellin Grounds.
Football fans got to witness the many talented young and aspiring male and female footballers showcasing their talents on the pitch as they prepared for a number of regional and international tournaments.
The event was a fundraiser for the National Under-17 team which will be travelling to St. Kitts in the next few days to play a series of friendly matches leading up to the Under-17 World Cup in 2019.
In Game 1, the National Under-17 women’s team currently preparing for the CONCACAF Caribbean Women’s Under-17 Qualifier showdown at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground which starts on August 22, went down to Micoud Under-15 Boys 3-0.
The goal scorers for Micoud were Keshawn James (1st and 10th minutes) and Kevin Thomas (30th minute) to seize the halftime advantage.
The National Under-17 Women’s Team upped the tempo in the second half, showing their determination as they got to the ball a lot quicker and made several accurate passes in the midfield area. Their buildup heading towards goal at times frustrated the Micoud Under-15 Boys and despite not scoring a goal in the second half, the young women had an outstanding performance.
In the second encounter of the afternoon, the National Under-15 team played to a nil-all draw against Victory Eagles of Vieux Fort. The two teams will certainly have themselves to blame for not putting away the many chances offered to them in front of goal.
In the Saint Lucia Masters and Saint Lucia Veterans matchup, the scores were locked at nil-all at the halftime whistle.
In the second half, the Saint Lucia Veterans were able to substitute their players at will and in the process opened the scoring when former national player Andy Jn. Baptiste put them ahead in the 52nd minute.
Nine minutes later, it was all even as Alvin Malaykhan continued his goal scoring spree this season by scoring the equalizer for the Saint Lucia Masters in the 63rd minute. Despite several scoring opportunities thereafter, the match finally ended in a 1-1 draw, to the delight of the supporters of both teams.
The final match of the evening was electrifying as the Vieux Fort South Under-21 team — and current Saint Lucia Football Association Under-21 champions — defeated the National Under-17 Boys team 2-1.
VFS striker Antonio Joseph put his team ahead in the 49th minute of play. The National Under-17s showed perseverance and finally got their just reward as Levi Medrick made it 1-1 in the 70th minute. Antonio Joseph scored yet again — this time in the 76th minute — to secure his team’s victory.
