The Guardsman Under-15 Tournament, which is in its fifth edition ended this past weekend with Northern United FC Boys Under 15 team for 2021 making history by defeating one of the tournament’s favorites, defending champion GMC FC, 4-3.
The win came in the dying moments of the 70-minute encounter at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground (DSCG). It was the first time in the five-year history of the tournament that the final was played at the DSCG.
The 10-team tournament, which was played in two groups over the past four weekends was sponsored by Guardsman (Saint Lucia) Limited in collaboration with the Gros Islet Football league (GIFL).
In Group B, Northern United FC completed the preliminary round of the tournament losing one game to GMC United. GMC FC was equally productive, taking Group B with maximum points, from their four games played, to secure a semifinal berth.
No. 6 Devonte Howell – named the Player of the Final, struck the winning goal in the 70th minute for Northern United FC.
At the end of the first half of play of what can best be described as a ‘high tempo encounter’ the score line was locked at 2-2.
The goal scorers, Traylan Henry in the 1st minute of play, and Kendrick Joseph in the 3rd minute for Northern United FC, while Calvin Marshall brace in the 13th and 18th minute for GMC United silent Northern United FC supporters in the western stands.
On the resumption, Traylan Henry put Northern United FC ahead for the second time in the encounter scoring in the 46th minute. With the 2021 Championship at stake, GMC United playing with a no die attitude quickly regroup and in doing so found the much-deserved equalizer in the 53rd minute when an Aman Girdari strike eluded the Northern United goalkeeper, Kevel Francois, to his right.
The winning goal: No.6 Devonte Howell running on the left flank received a through ball. He waltzed past two players, before shooting to goal. The GMC United goalkeeper had no chance of saving the goal. This triggered a robust celebration on and off the playing area for Northern United FC.
Earlier, in the match for third place silverware, Pioneers FC defeated Lancers FC 7-6 on penalty kicks, the scores were locked at 1 -1 after regulation time.
The goal scorers, Darian Fedee, Lancers FC in the 26th minute and Jermaine Joseph, Pioneers FC in the 27th minute.
Individual awards presented on the evening: Devonte Herman (Player of the Final / Northern United FC), Jayden Etienne (MVP of the Tournament/GMC United), Justice Germaine (Most Outstanding Defender/ Northern United FC), Josh George (Most Goals/ GMC United), Thierry Morille (Most Outstanding Midfielder/ Northern United FC), Joshua George (Most Outstanding Goalkeeper/ GMC United), Shaquille Thomas age 11 (GMC United and Shilo John age 10 (Northern United FC) (Most Impressive Players).
Team awards: Champion Team – Northern United FC, championship trophy and gold medals, 2nd place – GMC United – trophy and silver medals and 3rd place team – Pioneers, trophy and bronze medals.
