Former Blackheart Knockout champions Anse La Raye will not participate in this year’s tournament. The 2011 champions were knocked out of the tournament after suffering a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Babonneau in a playoff decider at the Anse La Raye Playing Field Sunday afternoon.
Playing in soggy ground conditions, Anse La Raye took the lead early in the second half from the penalty spot, when national striker Cyron St Croix converted. Babonneau equalized shortly thereafter from the penalty spot as well, when Conscious Willie converted, while Shan Constantine got the game winner to book Babonneau’s place in the tournament and boot the former champions out.
In other related news, a number of warm up matches were played at the weekend, as teams fine tune their preparations for the tournament kicking off Saturday evening at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.
Saturday afternoon at the Canaries Playing Field, two-time Blackheart finalists Soufriere had a 2-0 win over perennial last four finishers in the Blackheart Tournament Canaries.
Scoring for Soufriere were Lester Joseph and former national midfielder Dabreo Henry from the penalty spot.
At the La Ressource Playing Field Saturday afternoon more warm up promotional matches were played. Defending Blackheart Knockout Football champions Dennery had a 2-0 win over South Castries. Calixte Biscette and Donovan Sealy converted for Dennery.
In another encounter Vieux Fort North won over Gros Islet one goal to nil. A goal converted by Erskine Holder.
In the feature match Saturday afternoon at La Ressource, the home team three time former Blackheart champions Mabouya Valley had a 3-1 win over Castries. Darren Edole with two and Kurtly Jules with one converted for Mabouya Valley while Cliff Vacin was the goal scorer for Castries.
The Castries/Mabouya Valley encounter Saturday afternoon was a grudge match with Castries. Saturday’s resulted prompted a call for a rematch from Castries who were not happy with their defeat. As a result the teams are to meet again today (Wednesday) from 4.30 pm at the Sab Sporting Facility.
Sunday afternoon two more warm up matches were played. At the Laborie Playing Field Vieux Fort South had a 4-2 win over Laborie. National striker Jamil Joseph scored two goals with one each from Kemp Edgar and Antonio Mayers Geannie Wilfred got both goals for Laborie.
Also at the at the Micoud Playing Field Sunday afternoon, former Blackheart Champions Micoud played to a goalless draw with a visiting club team from Martinique.
Warm up matches for the tournament continue on Wednesday afternoon
when Castries hosts Mabouya valley at the Sab Sporting Facility, while Laborie plays Soufriere at the Laborie Playing Field.
The Press launch and Tournament fixture draw took place Tuesday evening from at the Players Lounge of the Beausejour Cricket Ground.
