IT was worth coming to support the young boys as the curtains came down on the Saint Lucia Football Association, Daher Broadcasting Service/ Saint Lucia Sports Online Inter District Under-14 Boys championship on Sunday evening with Central Castries emerging champions.
Central Castries boys decked in their customary blue and white attire defeated Marchand 2-0 in a hard fought game at the La Ressource playing field (Mabouya Valley) in front of an appreciative support which included parents, family, and football lovers who had travelled in their numbers to watch the two teams in action.
The Marchand boys themselves also had additional support of their former players who represented Marchand in the past; the Veterans team who immediately after the Under-14 finals took on Central Vieux Fort in a quarterfinal matchup.
On paper, the two teams boasted a number of players who represented Saint Lucia last year in the Dominca Republic in a Caribbean Football Union (UFU) under- 14 tournament, in that tournament, Saint Lucia emerged champion.
At the halftime whistle, the scoreline was nil all (0-0), both teams matching strength for strength, and the two goalkeepers outstanding between the uprights.
At the resumption, the pendulum shifted from one side to the next and one sensed that the deadlock would have been broken at any time, which in deed happened as Central Castries captain Shaquan Nelson scored in the 73rd minute to commence a mini type celebration.
For once all eyes were glued to the pitch, as the fans left nothing to chance, supporting every block, past, shot taken to goal and goal scoring opportunities saved by the two goal keepers. There was more celebration for Central Castries as a second goal came off the boot of one of the Marchand defender, but that celebration was short lived as Referee Edmund Smith blown off.
Central Castries doubled their advantage thanks to their prolific goal scorer Keegan Caul in the 80+2 minutes, but not before Caul was shown a yellow card for removing his jersey in celebration as the final whistle erupted into a thundery applaud and celebrations both on the field and in the stands from the Central Castries players and their fans.
Marchand had themselves to blame for squandering their many chances offered in front of goal. Their tears after the encounter was a clear indication of how hard they played throughout the 80 minutes.
Central Castries made two changes, Cagini Pilgrim in for Marlon Nurse in the 59th and Jahois St. Omer in for Kyle Sealy in the 80th minute. Marchand made two substitutes; Mervin St. Romain in the 68th minute for Janal Simon and Jaden Christopher in the 76th minute for Randel Raymond.
After the dust settled on the square, and in the true spirit of sportsmanship with numerous handshakes the following players were presented with awards for their outstanding performances. Central Castries performances left nothing to doubt as they dominated the prize-giving ceremony. Best Defender – Sherqwane Prudent; Best Midfielder – Ajani Hippolyte; Most Goals – Keegan Caul; Best Goal Keeper – JanickJn Baptiste, Nelson made his second appearance on the podium as he was adjudged most valuable player (MVP) of the finals.
The performance by the two Castries teams are certainly a clear indications that the hard work being done by the various Academies within the two leagues (Castries Football Council and Marchand) every weekend is testimony that youth football is alive as the well continue to overflow with numerous talent in that age category.
