GROS Islet Under-22 football team has booked a spot into the semifinals of the Saint Lucia Football Association male competion with a 3-1 victory over Dennery.
Under overcast conditions and a somewhat damp playing surface, the first quarterfinal was played at the SAB Playing Field on Thursday. Despite the mitigating conditions, both teams produced a fine brand of counter-attacking football which was absorbed by the sparse yet appreciated crowd on hand.
Dennery was presented a golden opportunity to go one up early in the encounter but squandered that clear opportunity which at the end of the 90 minutes of play sent them out of contention as they definitely had Gros Islet on the back foot.
On the run of play, Gros Islet capitalized on this let-off as Nictus Lawrence got into the action as he put his team ahead in the 32nd minute. As the momentum swung back and forth, Alex Regis provided Dennery with the equalizer in the 42nd minute, resulting in the half ending 1-1.
Following the halftime break, Gros Islet extended their lead with ManoaFessal scoring in the 46th minute. The boys from the eastern district never gave up as they orchestrated numerous build-up in search for the equalizer, but they were, however, not clinical in their final execution.
Against the run of play by a thoroughly organized build-up, Tev Lawrence placed the issue beyond Dennery’s reach with a well-executed goal in the 58th minute to make it 3-1 and when the final whistle went it was a sigh of relief for the Gros Islet team who were celebrating for reaching the semifinal round.
Quarterfinals matches continue tomorrow with Micoud versus Babonneau at the La Resource playing field from 4:00 p.m. On Monday, Anse la Raye will play Vieux Fort North in Anse la Raye and Canaries will come up against Vieux Fort South at the Marigot playing field at 4:00 p.m.