A total of 25 goals were scored in 11 matches played on the opening day at the Corinth playing field, as the Gros Islet Football League, in collaboration with the Aurelien Family, staged the 2nd Annual Aurelien Soles Under – 18 Invitational Tournament this past weekend.
The tournament featured eleven Clubs from as far as the South Castries. The participating Clubs were seeded into two groups, A and B respectively. Group A comprised – Northern United, VSADC, Ti Valley, GMC United and Valley Soccer; Group B – Big Players, New Generation, Pioneers and Reduit FC.
In game 1, between Ti Valley and Valley Soccer. Valley Soccer took the lead with a goal from Shamar Changoo in the 12th minute and another goal from Rio Longville in the 20th minute ending the 1st half 2-0 in favour of Valley Soccer. The 2nd half saw another goal from Valley Soccer Emmanuel La Force in the 26th minute. TI Valley scored in the 30th minute of play with a goal from Josh Harroco to keep the match alive, but Valley Soccer scored in the 37th minute of play with a goal from Rio Longville to seal the deal 4-1.
Game 2, defending champions, Big Players defeated Reduit FC 2 -0 with goals from Je NaieLesmond Cyrus Hubert.
Game 3, VSADC defeated TI Valley 2-0. Akil Gabriel put VSADC ahead, followed by a Rijkard Glasgow strike from 40 yards out to secure victory.
Game 4, Big Players playing their second encounter for the day, this time against a formidable Pioneers FC team. This game was a real test for the defending champions as they had at least seven shots on target, but the Pioneers custodian matched all seven thus earning his team the much needed draw as the game ended 0-0.
Northern United FC opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over GMC United. The rivalry between these two teams go way back hence the match promised to be a thriller. NUFC showed their class and pace in the first five minutes of play as national U20 player Daniel Biscette put them ahead. But with GMC having many national players on the field it was not going to be an easy game for NUFC. In the dying minutes of the first half GMC’s Captain TyreceJeremie equalized.
The 2nd half saw a penalty goal from Northern United’s captain Samuel Lawrence to secure the win.
New Generation defeated Reduit FC 3-0. The half time score was nil all. The goal scorers for NGFC BertleyMarcelle(1) and Yanic Noel (2).
Game 7, VSADC and Valley Soccer FC both coming off a victory in their opening encounter; Valley Soccer dominated the first half of play which earned them two goals after the VSADC’s goal keeper had denied them from the penalty spot. For VSFC the goal scorers were Aazah Daniel and ChazleyBodley .
Game 8, Northern United defeated Ti Valley 2 -0. For most fans this encounter was expected to be an easy one for NUFC but turned out very differently in the first half. Ti Valley came out with a plan which frustrated the Northern players. Ti Valley’s goal keeper was very effective in the first half ensuring that his team stayed in the game. No goals were scored in the 1st half.
On the resumption NUFC came out playing the pressing game with Daniel Biscette and Gabriel Biscette the goal scorers to seal victory.
Game 9, it was all even at the end of regulation time as GMC United and Valley Soccer FC played to a 1-1 draw. GMC United nosed ahead in the first half with a goal scored by TyreceJeremie; while Joaquim Mathurin found the much needed equalizer for VSFC.
Game 10, Northern United FC defeated VSADC 3-0 with goals from the boots of Daniel Biscette (2) and Gabriel Biscette (1). The halftime score 2-0.
Game 11, the final encounter on the day, Pioneers FC defeated Reduit FC 2-0. On the pitch, Kyle Serville put PFC in the lead; while Joshua Boland 35 yard right foot shot eluded the Reduit custodian to seal the victory.