Dennery captured their third Blackheart Knockout Football Tournament title Saturday evening when they defeated Soufriere 1-0 before a massive crowd at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.
The game never did live up to the hype ad these two football rivals played more of a defensive game which resulted in very few scoring opportunities. Extra time was needed to settle the matter with the score deadlocked 0-0 after regulation time.
Dennery’s lone goal and the eventual game winner came in the second half of extra time in the 115th minute. Former national striker Levi “Bushman” Gilbert notched his fourth goal in as many matches giving Dennery the victory. He was named the tournament’s MVP.
Speakers to reporters after the victory Dennery Coach, Benson Emile said: “It was very very hard fought game. I have to compliment Soufriere for taking us to the depth of extra time, but in the end I think we were the better team for the 115 minutes. Soufriere really tested our patience, but we knew if we were patient the opportunity would come and we would take it.”
Prior to the finals Gros Islet and Canaries squared off in the third place playoff. Gros Islet came out on top 4-0.
Vad Daniel scored the opening goal in the fourth minute to finish as the tournament’s top goal scorer with six goals. That tally earned him the $1,500 prize for anyone scoring six goals in the tournament. The other goal scores were Eden Charles in the 16th and 42nd minutes and Troy Greenidge in the 71st minute.
For their victory Dennery received the Lime Trophy, a cool $15,000 and 25 replica trophies. Second place Soufriere went home with $7,500 and 25 replica trophies. Third placed Gros Islet received $3,500 and fourth placed Canaries $1500.
In awards presented after the tournament: Most Outstanding Youth Player, Eden Charles (Gros Islet); Best Manager, Ali Henry (Dennery); Best Coach, Benson Emile (Dennery); Fastest Goal Scored, Kurt Frederick (Dennery) in the second minute vs Micoud; Best Dressed Team, Central Castries; Most Spectacular Goal, Kervin Griffith (Anse La Raye); Best Goalkeeper, Thaddeus Francis (Dennery); Best Defense Player, Barry Felix (Soufriere);
Best Midfield Player, Hiram Hunte (Dennery); Top Goal Scorer, Vad Daniel (Gros Islet) six goals; Fair Play Trophy, Soufriere; Tournament MVP, Levi “Bushman” Gilbert (Dennery).
There were 54 goals scored in the 16 matches of the tournament at an average of 3.38 compared to the 46 goals scored in the entire tournament last year at 2.86 goals per game.
