THE action shifted into high gear on Sunday 3rd November in the 2019 Veterans In Sports Inc. / Saint Lucia Football Association Super 10 Knockout Tournament played at the Phillip Marcellin Grounds (PMG) in Vieux Fort.
In front of an appreciative crowd of football enthusiasts, in the first semifinal Micoud and Soufriere played to a goalless draw after regulation time.
In the penalty shootout, Micoud won 4-3 thanks to two brilliant saves by their custodian Calixtus Rudolph.
Soufriere would have themselves to blame for not capitalizing on 11 scoring opportunities, four of which were one on one with the Micoud goalkeeper on either end of the pitch.
In the second semifinal, Gros Islet continued their good run on form from where they left off on Saturday defeating Marchand 1-0, the goal scored by Troy Serieux in the 32nd minute. Serieux who received a free ball inside the 40 yard area waltzed his way through the Marchand defence to slot home the winner.
In the much anticipated final played between two rival teams, Micoud and Gros Islet, the latter emerged champion when their No.7 Junior ‘Mike” Phillip scored in the 41st minute. And that’s how the scoreline remained up until the final whistle in spite of Micoud’s attempt to equalize.
Also, on Sunday, a friendly played between the touring Island Masters team from Canada and Caricom Masters ended 2-2. No.69 Selwyn Babolal (substitute) put Island Masters in the lead in the 28th minute only to enjoy the halftime advantage.
It was all to play for in the second half and No. 14 Dean La Force, equalized in the 66th minute for Caricom Masters; Caorcel Blair put Island Masters ahead again in the 73rd minute; while No.22 Vitalis Jervis’ strike in the 76th minute settled things off; all even at the end of regulation time. Final score 2-2.
On Saturday 2nd, in the preliminary matches played, Laborie Veterans trounced VSADC 5-1. The goal scorers for Laborie Veterans were No.6 Harvey Etienne with a hat trick in the 12th, 53rd and 59th minute; No. 7 Ashley Duncan in the 28th minute via the penalty spot and No.10 Cyprian Serieux in the 42nd minute.
For VSADC, the lone goal was scored by No. 6 Sean Kirton in the 30+1 minute via the penalty spot.
In game No. 2, Marchand defeated Dennery All Backs 3 – 1. For Marchand the goal scorers were No.6 Cleo Desir in the 12th minute, No. 16 Joey Hunte in the 23rd minute and No.5 Deville Harris in the 30th minute.
For Dennery All Blacks, No.10 Magobi Polius scored in the 16th minute via the penalty spot.
In game No.3, Soufriere breezed past Vieux Fort Central 3-0 with goals from No.14 Phillip Francois in the 35th minute, No.10 Jerome Serville in the 46th minute and No.16 Ian Augustin in the 54th minute.
In Game No.4, Gros Islet defeated Labowie Connextions 3-0, with a double strike coming from the boots of No.14 Ian Thomas in the 38th and 46th minutes and the other from No. 9 Nehimiah Morrell in the 56th minute.
In Game No. 5 during the second round of the tournament, Micoud (with a bye) defeated a confident Laborie Veterans team 2-1. Laborie Veterans nosed ahead in the 24th minute; the goal scored by Don Tommy. No further goal was scored as the half ended in Laborie’s favour.
On the resumption Micoud, last year’s finalist, switched into high gear with two quick strikes, one from No. 14 Calixtus Rodolph in the 42nd minute and the other from No. 19 Kem Augustin in the 45th minute.
In Game No. 6, the second round of the tournament, Flow Lancers FC, last year’s finalist (with a bye), went down to Marchand Veterans 2-1 after being 1-0 up in the 11th minute, the goal scored by No. 16 Wendell Prescott. No. 22 Mc Millan Pierre put Marchand Veterans back into the game with a strike that eluded Flow Lancers FC goalkeeper John Daniel standing in for an injured Vilan Edward in the 26th minute for the equalizer; while No. 16 Daniel Poyette put the issue beyond doubt when he scored Marchand’s second goal in the 48th minute to seal the victory.
In a brief award ceremony, Gros Islet received $3000.00, a trophy and gold medals, Micoud collected $1000.00, a trophy and silver medals. It must be noted and commended that Gros Islet and Micoud gave back $1000.00 and $500.00 respectively of their earnings to the Kick for a Cure project, an initiative set up by Veterans In Sports Inc.
Other awards went to Harvey Etienne (Laborie Veterans) – Most Goals, MVP of the final – Georges Alcide (Gros Islet Veterans).
This evening, (Tuesday 5th), from 7.00 p.m. Veterans football action continues at the Gros Islet Playing Field when the touring Island Masters from Canada take on VSADC; while on Wednesday 6th at the same venue, the visitors will take on host and newly crowned Veterans In Sports Inc. Super 10 Knockout champion Gros Islet at 7.00 p.m.
