Action in the Free Kick Invitational Youth Cup is moving ahead full steam—as teams jostle for qualifying spots to the knockout stages with the remaining preliminary round matches culminating today (Saturday).
An exciting fixture of matches has been displayed at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground [DSCG], since the tournament kicked off, on Tuesday.
The quality of play exhibited by both the local and visiting players has been astonishing with some stand-out individual performances to boot.
Saint Lucia’s two representative sides; Vieux Fort South and the Saint Lucia Select XI are riding high atop their group and have performed remarkably well so far locking horns with the visitors.
And so too, teams like Lil Haiti, Trincity, and Vincy Ballers have been showing off their skills and game play.
The tournament has also produced a tremendous goal-scoring frenzy with some teams set on a rampage to oust their opponents.
Notably, a highlight of the tournament has been the goal scoring prowess of St Lucia Select XI prolific striker Keegan Caul, who has converted two hatricks in consecutive games.
The Free Kick Youth Cup organisers and the supporting crew can be commended for holding their own, despite some challenges to ensure the accommodation, safety and mobility, training schedule and other related matters are in sync to accommodate the young players, some of whom play to catch the attention of the international football scouts at the games.
On Thursday, Group A top contenders – Vieux Fort South continued to demonstrate their goal-scoring prowess, as they beat Xcel Academy (UK) 3-nil.
Martin Tal broke the ice after an earlier steely deadlock to put V-Fort South ahead in the 35th minute. The host team followed up their lead with two quick goals from Donovan Perpie in the 50th and 52nd minute; firstly, Perpie struck a brilliant right footer off a spot kick into the nets from just outside the area, and then minutes later he slipped through the defense to convert a brace.
Vincy Ballers has been having a good run, and on Thursday defeated Real Betis TT 8-nil in a game they completely dominated scoring four goals in each half.
Taking an early lead through Steven Pierre in the 9th minute, Kirtney Franklin followed up with a brace from 16th and 27th minutes goals, while Emory Edwards scored in the 34th min. Pierre got a brace with a 47th conversion, and a brace also for Bishon Richards in the 66th and 75th minute. Denzel Bascombe in the 72nd minute rounded off the rout.
Lil Haiti (US-based) held off some stiff opposition from Harlem United (Dominica) to clinch a 1-nil victory. After a goalless first-half, Lil Haiti got into stride for Carl Laurent to hit the nets in the 43rd min, and secure all three points.
Trincity Nationals (T&T) would not let up in contention for a qualifier’s spot, as they beat Wings FC (Antigua) 2-nil. Goal scorers were Kurleem Prince in the 2nd and Jovon Gomes in the 14th minute respectively. — By Reginald Andrew
After three rounds of matches, the points standing is as follows
Group A –
Trincity Nationals – 7; Vieux Fort South – 6; BIM United – 3; Xcel Academy – 1 and Wings FC – 0.
Group B-
Little Haiti FC – 7; St. Lucia Select XI – 6; Vincy Ballers – 4; Harlem United – 0; and Real Betis TT – 0.
Result of other matches played, were as follows:
Wednesday –
Vincy Ballers vs. Lil Haiti 0-0,
St Lucia Select XI vs. Real Betis 5-0,
Trincity vs. Xcel Academy 3- 3,
Bim United vs. Wings FC 2-0.
Tuesday –
St Lucia Select XI vs. Harlem United 6-3,
Lil Haiti vs. Real Betis 4-1,
Trincity vs. Bim United 3-1,
V-Fort South vs. Wings FC 8-0.
The tournament continued yesterday with a feature match between St Lucia Select XI and Lil Haiti slotted for the latter fixture.
Today (Saturday), the schedule of matches is as follows:
2pm. Bim United v Vieux Fort South
2pm. Xcel Academy v Wings FC
4pm. St. Lucia Select XI v Vincy Ballers
4pm. Real Betis TT v Harlem United.
Two matches are played simultaneously on two adjacent pitches.
Meanwhile, scores in matches played in the SLFA’s Inc. Division II competition at the Desruisseaux Playing Field on Wednesday evening, are as follows:
Black Panthers vs. Togetherness Youth 5-2,
Piton Travel Young Stars vs. Diamond Ballers 2-2.