THE semifinalists of the 2017-2018 Veterans In Sports Inc./Flow Plate Championships have been decided following last weekend’s quarterfinals at La Ressource playing field in Mabouya Valley when 16 goals were scored.
VSADC got things going with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Behind the College All Stars. VSADC, the former champions of the Main Championship and the Caribbean Alliance Cup, and BTC looked evenly-matched before Guy Jn. Baptiste scored two goals in the 14th and 20th minutes to enjoy the halftime advantage.
BTC captain and midfield player Trevor Cadet, with two beautiful strikes in the 61st and 81st minutes, put his team back in the game momentarily before Benjamin Gabriel’s long range (close to the half line) right foot shot in the 83rd minute eluded BTC custodian Terrel Compton, who at the time was standing a few metres from his goal line.
In game two, 2015 champions Caricom Masters got off to a flying start against Marchand Veterans when Cecil Cassius scored a well-taken powerful right foot shot from about 45 yards in the 25th minute. The ball went through the hands of the Marchand goalkeeper who made an attempt to paddle it over the cross the bar. Despite Marchand’s spirited attempts to equalize in the remaining minutes, the score remained 1-0 in favour of Caricom Masters at the halftime whistle.
The resumption of play saw both teams upping the tempo, but Marchand were the ones to celebrate as Robert Lewis found the back of the nets for the long-awaited equalizer in the 71st minute. Despite a couple of scoring attempts made by both teams, the score-line remained 1-1 at the end of regulation time, forcing the game into extra time.
With 20 minutes of extra time to play with for the win, Caricom Masters made no mistake as they quickly nosed ahead in the 95th minute through Vaughn-Dave Lewis to make it 2-1. Marchand never for once gave up, but the muddy conditions certainly did take its toll on the players’ tiring legs. Final score: 2-1 in favour of Caricom Masters.
On Sunday last, rained poured just before the start of the encounter between Laborie Veterans and Flow Lancers FC. The playing conditions were worse than the previous day which left part of the playing surface water-logged.
Don Tommy opened the scoring for Laborie Veterans in the 7th minute of play and that’s how the scoreline remained as LV enjoyed a 1-0 advantage at the halftime whistle.
On the resumption, Flow Lancers FC were without the services of their experienced goalkeeper/captain Vilan Edward, who sat out this game nursing an injury. Despite being 1-0 down, the men from FLFC upped the tempo a few notches as Claudius Amedee found the back of the nets in the 51st minute to level the scores at 1-1. Nigel Springer then made it 2-1 for the win in the 76th minute to secure their semifinal spot.
In one of the most exciting matchups for the weekend, newcomers LabowiConnextions and Vieux Fort North played to a 2-2 draw at the end of regulation time, sending the game into overtime. Dwayne Edward scored for VFN in the 10th minute, while Nathan James got the equalizer for LabowiConnextions in the 31st minute to level the scores at 1-1 going into halftime.
Nathan James put LabowiConnextions ahead in the 62nd minute, but Benjamin Kisna equalized for VFS shortly after in the 78th minute. During the 20 minutes of extra time, Justus St. Aimee sealed the deal for LabowiConnextions in the 103rd minute.
In semifinal action scheduled for Saturday, January 27, from 6:00 p.m., VSADC will face Flow Lancers FC, while Caricom Masters will play LabowiConnextions at 8:00 p.m. Both matches will be played at the Phillip Marcellin Grounds in Vieux Fort.
