The tussle for the championship title in the St Lucia Football Association [SLFA] Inc. continues to gather much intrigue as the points shift regularly at the points table.
On Thursday, in the Division I encounter, defending champions Platinum FC beat El Ninos FC 4-2 in a hard fought victory to keep the championship race ablaze.
Platinum FC got a brace from prolific striker Noah Nicholas with goals in the 12th and 31st min, Kurt Frederick 69th and Saviola Elva in the 75th min.
Scoring for El Ninos were Stevie Henry and Shadrick Flavius in the 56th min and 4th min of added on time respectively.
At this juncture, the results in the Division I title race is interestingly poised; as B 1 FC leads with 19 pts, followed by Platinum FC 18 pts and Monchy FC on 17 pts, with all three teams having a game in hand.
In Division II of the SLFA’s Inc. Senior Men’s Championship at the Soufriere Mini Stadium, on Thursday; the National U 20 team and Lancers played to an exciting 1-1 draw.
While opposing sides created numerous scoring opportunities, however stubborn defending kept the teams at bay. Lancers were presented with a golden opportunity to go 1 – 0 up when they were awarded a penalty in the 37th minute, but a fine save by goalkeeper A’Dee Germe averted the danger.
Against the run of play and following a brilliant solo run by Rickelme Lionel, the Youth team took the lead in the 39th minute to go into the interval 1-up.
In the second session, spectators were treated to some wonderful attacking and counter attacking football as the teams sought the ascendancy. Again, astute defending and fine goalkeeping especially from Germe frustrated the players.
Then in the 90th minute, Albertine Phillip netted for Lancers ensuring that the points were shared as the game petered out into a 1 – 1 draw.