For those who thought Gros Islet pulled off a fluke when they throttled defending Champs Anse La Raye 7-1, knocking them 2012 Blackheart Knockout Football Tournament, think again.
Wednesday evening a young and feisty Gros Islet team proved they are for real, with another lopsided quarter-final victory Wednesday evening at the Beausejour Cricket Ground. This time around their victim was Vieux Fort South, who despite scoring the first goal and holding a 1-0 lead at the half lost 5-1.
Once again Gros Islet relied on a strong second half, in which they totally dominated play. For the most part an older Vieux Fort South team, could not keep up with the young legs from Gros Islet.
Vieux Fort South opened the scoring in the ninth minute through Thurston Nestor Joseph. That’s all she wrote! They were held scoreless the rest of the way.
Gros Islet’s goals were converted by Vard Daniel in the 64th minute (his fifth goal of the tournament), Rohan Lambert in the 70th minute, Eden Charles in the 73rd (third goal of the tournament) and two from second half substitute Troy Greenidge in the 86th and 88th minutes.
In an interview following the game Manager of the Gros Islet Football Team, Macarius Johnny said: “Today {Wednesday}
I have shown the people
of Gros Islet how with
unity talent and discipline
we can win a football
match.”
Despite being down 1-0 in the first half and blowing several good opportunities, Johnny remarked, “in football you have two halves you could lose the first one and depending how you come back in the second half you will win the game.”
Johnny kept using the word tenacity to describe how his young team has played so far in the tournament.
When asked how confident are you about
Gros Islet winning the
title he replied: “We are
going to take it one game at a time. In the past we have failed, but this year we have shown we can get past the hurdles and continue going to win the cup.”
In the second game Wednesday evening former champions Dennery had a 4-2 win over another former champion Micoud.
Dennery were led to victory by Kurt Frederick who scored two goals in the second and 21st minutes. Levi Altidore pulled one back for Micoud in the 33rd minute and Micoud equalized from the penalty spot when Shayne Paul converted in the 51st minute.
However goals from Levi “Bushman” Gilbert in the 68th minute and Winel Felix in the 71st minute, put the issue beyond doubt as Dennery booked their place in the semi-finals.
The semi-finals of the tournament will be played today (Saturday) at the Beausejour Cricket
Ground. From 6:00 pm
in the first semi-final Soufriere go up against Canaries, while from
8:00 pm in the second semi-final Gros Islet entertain Dennery.
The Finals of the tournament and third
place play off will now
take place June 9 and not June 10 as originally advertised. All
concerned are asked
to take note.
