We are the champions! Central Castries following their victory over Marchand.
“We were always confident that we would come out on top, because our preparation, the drills that we went through, the composition of the team and the type of players we have. We were fully confident we would come out victorious. It took a little while though because Marchand is not an easy team to beat.”
That’s what Central Castries Coach, Ryan Desir, had to say following his team’s hard fought 2-0 victory over Marchand, in the St Lucia Football Association (SLFA) Inc Under 14 final played Sunday afternoon at the La Ressource Field. It was a scoreless first half, leading many supporters from both sides to consider the possibility of extra time between these two evenly matched teams. Credit both goalkeepers who turned aside everything that came their way.
This game was definitely a tale of two halves. Whatever Coach Desir told his team during half time paid off big time, as Central Castries took control of the game in the second half. Their Captain Shaquan Nelson finally broke the deadlock with a goal in the 71st minute, with a shot that caught the goalkeeper flatfooted. Nelson was mobbed by his teammates who sensed that could be the all-important winning goal. They were right!
Nevertheless they never let up and looked to put the game away. Central Castries marksman Keegan Caul who had several good chances throughout the game answered the call. He scored the insurance goal putting the game out of reach. He whipped off his jersey and celebrated with teammates. Interviewed following the game a jubilant Caul gave his take on the victory. “It feels good to win and at the end of the day we were victorious.”
His teammate Nelson who scored the winner said: “I dreamt about that goal. I came out and I saw the ball coming to me so I struck it to the best of my ability and it went in.” Following the game there was a brief prize giving ceremony where the following awards were presented. Best Defender, Sherqwane Prudent; Best Midfielder, Ajani Hippolyte; Most Goals, Keegan Caul; Most Valuable Player, Shaquan Nelson.
