Final Places set in the Castries LUCELEC BOSL Youth League

[dropcap]F[/dropcap]inalists in the U11, U13 and U15 age groups were confirmed this past weekend as the action continued in the Castries LUCELEC BOSL Youth League taking place at the Sab Sporting Facility.

In the U11 finals playoff VSADC Pinehill U11 came up against Flow Lancers FC. A first half goal from Keenan Joseph, was enough to send Flow Lancers FC into the finals versus Valley Soccer Club.

In the U13 age group it was mixed results for VSADC Pinehill, as their two representative teams attempted to make it a club derby in the finals. The VSADC Pinehill Sharks came up against Valley Soccer Club. A hat trick from Emree Prospere and a lone effort from Rawson Harris meant that the Sharks would have to settle for a place in the third place play off.

The other VSADC U13 team the Dolphins, gave a better performance in their semifinals match versus FC Pioneers. Good team play and cool finishing allowed the VSADC Pinehill Dolphins to score seven goals past their opposition and secure a place in U13 finals.

These results meant that the U13 third place will be contested by VSADC Pinehill Sharks and FC Pioneers, while Valley Soccer Club and VSADC Pinehill Dolphins will play in the finals.

Both U15 semifinals were exciting affairs. In the first semifinals tournament favorite FC Pioneers featuring the national U14 selectees Ajani Hippolyte and Shaquan Nelson, came up against the less celebrated duo of Dante Fitz and Daneo Caroo of Flow Lancers FC.

Perhaps it was a case of over confidence, but the heavily favored FC Pioneers teams were thwarted by two timely goals from Flow Lancers FC Caroo as early as the fourth minute. Then Fitz secured the victory with a calm finish in the 62nd minute to book a place for their team in the finals.

Having witnessed the fate of FC Pioneers, VSADC Lucozade U15 should have entered their semifinals match versus Valley Soccer Club on the alert for an upset.

Despite being the under-dog, Valley Soccer Club totally dominated VSADC Lucozade U15 and pinned them in their half for long stretches of the match. Their attacking verve finally paid off in the 60th minute. That’s when Nakeem Joseph who was left unmarked in the penalty area, blasted a shot by the VSADC custodian Neal Auguste.

Valley Soccer Club were on the verge of a major upset, until VSADC Lucozade U15 captain and national U14 selectee Keegan Caul dragged his team back from the brink of defeat. In the 69th minute he picked up the ball inside the opposition’s half, raced past three defenders and rocketed a shot past the Valley Soccer Club goal keeper. There was no further scoring in regulation and as the match moved into extra time VSADC appeared to be the team most likely to score.

In the 77th minute Caul looped a corner kick which found the head of his teammate Diquan Louis to complete the comeback.

By this point the Valley Soccer Club team looked totally deflated. Caul went on another trademark solo run once again, out running several defenders followed by an unstoppable shot into the back of the nets resulting in his brace, his team’s third goal and a place in the finals.

The U15 third place play off will be contested by FC Pioneers and Valley Soccer Club, while VSADC Lucozade U15 will meet Flow Lancers FC in the finals.

The final preliminary matches in the 17 and Under category started with Valley Soccer Club taking on Flow Lancers FC.

Valley Soccer Club entered the match three points and nine goals behind leaders VSADC, meaning that a 9-0 score line or better was needed and a VSADC loss for them to claim the top spot.

Incredibly Valley Soccer Club produced just the result they needed a 9-0 victory over Flow Lancers FC, which saw them execute a seven-goal blitz of open attacking football in the second half of the match. The goal scorers for Valley Soccer Club were national U17 player Rio Longville with two goals, Nyeme Joseph recorded a hat trick and there were lone goals from Jevon Joseph, Jalen Perterkin, Emmanuel Laforce and Denyl Jn Baptiste.

Having watched Valley Soccer Club put on a goal scoring clinic the pressure was on the VSADC Lucozade U17 in their match versus FC Pioneers. However, from the first whistle it was evident that VSADC were in a no-nonsense mood and they quickly took control of the game with patient build up play.

Their first goal came courtesy of a goal keeping error when national U17 defender Benerero Wellington lofted a free kick which slipped through the hands of the goal keeper.

If the first goal had elements of luck the second was the result of perfect technique; a brilliant half volley from national U17 midfielder Simeon Francis after an incisive pass from Akil Gabriel.

Not to be outdone by his fellow national selectees Keegan Caul picked up a loose ball on the half way line following an FC Pioneers corner kick, left two defenders in his trail and slammed the ball into the nets to give VSADC a 3 nil half time lead.

FC Pioneers did not improve even after the introduction of Shaquan Nelson and VSADC continued to dominate possession. Caul put the finishing touching on his team’s victory with a stunning second half overhead kick which grazed the uprights and found the back of the nets to give VSADC Lucozade a 4 goals to nil victory.

The 17 and Under semifinals will be played on Sunday November 11th from 10:00 am. In the first match VSADC Lucozade will face Flow Lancers FC. This will be followed by Valley Soccer Club vs FC Pioneers.

Parents, football lovers and the general public are all invited to support the young footballers.