TI Rocher Football Club emerged champions of the 2018 Desruisseaux Football League Knockout Cup on Sunday 14th September 2018. With the only game on the card, dubbed “Winner Takes All”, TFC went on to defeat DX United FC 1-0.
With a crowd of close to 700 football supporters in attendance and despite the thrilling entertainment on a surface not suitable for football, a number of scoring opportunities were squandered inside the first half of play, only to leave the scoreline 0-0 at the whistle of Referee Gordon Wilson.
On the resumption both teams upped the tempo just a notch in search of a goal as the pendulum shifted from one side to the next.
However, it was TFC who finally went ahead with the decider from the boot of Dwayne Mason in the 88th minute sending their supporters into a celebratory mood; Mason received a free ball some 40 yards out, waltz his way into the penalty area and calmly kicked the ball over the head of the DX United custodian who at the time was off his goal line.
Addressing the gathering at the awards ceremony, DLF President, Innocent St.Ange said, “We have come to the end of another successful tournament. These must sound as familiar words since these have been the norm from the DFL from the date of its inception. We continue to be heavily critized because we have not won a single Blackheart Tournament.
“We had some successes in 2018; first places El Ninos, La CourVille and TFC in the under -10, 17 and seniors”.
“Through our developmental programmes and hosting of leagues competition, members continue to get the opportunity to play where they can be seen by football scouts”.
Also speaking at the awards ceremony was Saint Lucia Football Association 1st Vice President, Emmanuel Bellase, who said, “The Saint Lucia Football Association has 19 affiliates and I do not know of anyone minutes after a final is over who can have a prize giving ceremony right away; you need to be commended”.
He told the sponsors present that every cent given to the DFL is goes to help develop every young player in the league.
Belasse said, “Do not use success on the playing field alone to measure your progress. You have individuals from your league getting national representation, scholarships, winning zonal competitions; the development of your programmes is extremely vital”.
“I need to let the clubs know this cannot be done without your support, do not allow the executive members of the DFL to develop programmes and they do not get your support, for the DFL to go forward they need the support of every member and every club”.
Awards presented on the evening — Most Improved Team: Diamond Ballers FC, Most Discipline Team: Blanchard United FC; Most Goals: Gerlanne Neptune, 10 goals (El Ninos FC), Most Spectacular Goal : Ectus Edward (El Ninos), Young Player Award: Jason Lewis (La CourVille FC); Best Goalkeeper: Glendon Ferdinand (DX United FC); Best Midfielder: Quincy Winter (El Ninos FC); Best Coach: MacrinaFanus (Diamond Ballers); Most Valuable Player: Gerlanne Neptune (El Ninos).
Other awards presented– Promotional League – 1st place – El Ninos, 2nd place – Diamond Ballers FC, 3rd place – La CourVille.
In the Knockout Cup, 1st place – TiRocher FC (TFC), 2nd place – DX United FC.
