DEFENDING Champions Gros Islet were booted out of the Super League Football tournament last Sunday.
The boys from the north went down 6-2 to Micoud while V ieux Fort South defeated Castries Central 3-0 to set up last night’s semi finals at the Phillip Marcellin Ground in Vieux Fort when Babonneau took on Micoud, followed by the Vieux Fort derby, North versus South.
The winners will play the finals on Saturday at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Ground, when the winner will pocket EC$30,000.00, the championship trophy and 25 gold medals.
Micoud’s place in the semi finals last Sunday was due in no great measure to a hat trick by No. 14 Andrew Joseph, the second of the tournament.
Gros Islet’s No. 18 Everton Lambert put the defending champions ahead in the 2nd minute of play to the delight of the many fans who had traveled from the north of the island to take in the action, but that celebration was short lived when Micoud’s Joseph found the equalizer in the 5th minute, the first of his three for the night. Micoud nosed ahead through No. 3. Travis Thomas header from a corner that made it 2 – 1 in the 17th minute.
Gros Islet was reduced to 10 men in the 31st minute when No. 6 Melvin Doxilly was issued a red card by Referee Vivian Robinson for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity, but Gros Islet goalkeeper Caster James came up with an outstanding save to deny Micoud’s No. 10 Kyron Marcellin a goal scoring opportunity. The half time score stayed at 2 – 1 in favour of Micoud.
On the resumption with one goal down, Gros Islet upped the tempo and equalized when No. 11 Eden Charles scored in the 49th minute, a shot that eluded the Micoud custodian No.1 Noah Didier to his left. With all to play for and a semifinal berth up for grabs, it was Micoud that shifted into high gear with goals from No.8 Levi Altidore in the 62nd minute, a beautiful header, No. 14 Joseph in the 65th, No.11 Shane Paul beating the offside trap in the 70th minute to make it 5 – 2 and then Joseph again from the penalty spot in the 87th minute to secure his hat – trick.
In the other quarter final, Vieux Fort South playing at home defeated Central Castries 3 – 0. National under – 17 striker No. 7 Noah Nicholas opened the scoring in the 36th minute from the penalty spot, but 1 minute later he was issued with a yellow card by Referee Leo Clarke for unsportsmanlike behaviour.
In the second half No.8 Nyrone Winter made it 2 – 0 in the 60th minute from a free kick, while No. 10 Tyson Cox sealed the deal in the 81st minute.