[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Digicel City Masters Cup fueled by Mackeson kicked off recently as a kindling and now it’s a blaze! Not even the rains and 50 mph winds of tropical storm Kirk, could extinguish this Veterans Football excitement at the Sab Sporting Facility. It was hot, hot, and hotter. Game number one saw a revitalized and reinforced Prophets and Kings taking on a youthful Gros Islet team. The game kicked off at 7:32 am and it was Gros Islet controlling the ball and keeping possession for the majority of the first half. Rafferty Noellien, Troy Greenidge, Coach Miron and Randy added a component of speed and vigor to the Gros Islet’s experienced style of play.
This combination gave Gros Islet many scoring chances from early o’clock, but the Prophets & Kings’ goalkeeper took on the challenge. His role as sweeper-keeper and his quick explosive bursts off the goal line kept the score at 0-0 for the first 20 mins. But then great midfield inter-passing would send a perfect through ball to the feet of the great Mike Philip. He hit the back of the net giving Gros Islet the lead. Prophets did not hesitate to turn up their game. The next four minutes would see a rigorous Prophets & Kings team in pursuit of that equalizer. Runs down the flanks and well weighted crosses put the seemingly complacent Gros Islet team on the back foot.
It was not long before Clement Charles would find himself at the receiving end of one of a cross on the back post and smashed an instep drive past the Gros Islet custodian tying the the game 1-1 just before the half time break. Gros Islet had a stern-spirited half time talk and the result was pressure Prophets had not witnessed before. It was attack after attack from the fish Friday boys went down the flanks and through the centre. However, Prophets somehow survived the second half to keep the score at 1-1 and keeping their semifinal dream alive.
In game two Flow Lancers FC looked to take home their second three points of the tournament as they faced the Behind the College FC (BTC). It started off as a chess masters game with both teams calculating every pass, every move and just trying to keep possession of the ball, patiently waiting for the right moment to strike. Trevor TC Cadet danced, weaved and turned the Flow FC midfield inside out and showed his class. TC being one of the many past national players to be playing in this Digicel City Masters Cup, gave the game and the day a really nice “football flavor.”
Both goalkeepers worked hard to keep the scores at 0-0, but it would be a high cross from former national midfielder Trevor “Crazy” Daniel into the BTC box, followed by the first and only goalkeeper error that gave Flow Lancers the lead as Peter Carlisle George scored his first goal of the tournament. BTC continued to play a patient composed possession game looking for holes in the Flow FC solid defense which eventually broke. That gave Cadet a scoring opportunity but he was brought down in the 18 and awarded a penalty kick. It was Edison Allain from the penalty spot to equalize the game for BTC.
Flow FC created a few more scoring chances but could not convert. The first half and the game ended 1-1. Game three between VSADC and Labowie Connexions had to be abandoned after 15 minutes of intense and action filled play. There were scheduling conflicts/clashes which caused an interruption to the game. Both teams were disappointed to walk away from what started off as an exciting game. However after negotiations over a cold case of Carib Beer, both teams agreed to replay the entire match this coming Sunday.
Game four had Marchand going up against Wild Card. The game was postponed and was played Thursday evening at the Marchand Grounds. Prophets and Kings and Gros Islet should take a special interest in this contest. Marchand started this game with three points in hand and will keep these 3 points unless Wild Card Allstar team beats them. A draw gives Marchand three points. Any of the other 160 players registered for the tournament can play for the Wild Card Team.
At this stage anyone can make it to semifinals. It is still open and this coming weekend is crucial to all teams in both groups. The games will be played at La Clery just for this Sunday and five games are on tap starting at 7:30am sharp. Fixtures: 7:30 am Prophets and Kings vs WC; 8:30am, VSADC vs BTC; 9:30 am, Labowie vs Flow FC; 10:30 am, Marchand vs Gros Islet; 12 noon Labowie vs VSADC.
The semifinals take place Sunday October 14. Tournament title sponsor Digicel announced that a brand new Samsung phone will be presented to the Tournament MVP. During the half time show spectators will kick a shot to win free Digicel credit, balls, t-shirts and other great prizes. The public can get a free upgrade to their old sims at the games. Patrons are encouraged to bring their family, friends and neighbors to the games every Sunday. Thanks to sponsors; Digicel, PCD, Mackeson, Stag beer, Oasis, Carib beer, Flow-Trevor Daniel FDP, Blazing FM, Day2Day Soccer-USA, Recreational Center of St Lucia and special thanks goes to our teams, spectators and the media for making this tournament great… “Small boy! Who you calling ole?”
