It was a must-win game for both teams when Mabouya Valley and Canaries met on Sunday evening at the Francis “baba” Lastic Grounds in the St. Lucia Semi Professional Football League {SPFL}.
Both teams were seeking to knock Central Castries out of the 4th and final semi final place in the tournament.
Already secured in the Semi final round are league leaders La Clery, Vieux Fort South, and Gros Islet.
A draw in Sunday’s showdown would see Central Castries go through but a win for either team would surely secure a new forth placed team.
Those who came late for the lone encounter of the evening were surprised to find out that Canaries, by the half time whistle, were leading fan-favourites Mabouya Valley 2-0. Donovan JnBaptiste, himself a national player, opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with Jardell Mitchel doubling the tally in the 34th.
The second half of the match had all the makings of a major final with Mabouya Valley coming out of the blocks blazing with two quickfire goals from Claudio Joseph {46} and Canius Sandiford {52} to level the playing field.
For most of the remaining minutes it seemed that either team could clinch the coveted 4th place but it was Canaries who would hit the back of the net with composed ball control exhibited by Mc. Cather Louis in the 86th minute. That took some wind out the Mabouya Valley sails and Canaries was able to close out the match with 3-2 victory.