[dropcap]F[/dropcap]ollowing semifinal play in the Veterans Football Tournament over the weekend(Jan28-29) at the Phillip Marcellin Grounds (PMG) in Vieux Fort, the stage is set for the finals of Flow Plate Championship and the Caribbean Alliance Gold Cup.
Two former veterans’ champions VSADC and Caricom Masters (CM) battle for the Flow Plate Championship today (Saturday). Soufriere along with first time finalists Gros Islet, made their way to the finals of the Caribbean Alliance Gold Cup which will be played next weekend at the PMG. All four teams booked their places in the finals after semifinal victories at the Phillip Marcellin Grounds last weekend.
Last Saturday evening VSADC defeated Flow Lancers FC 1 – 0. A goal converted by Guy Jn Baptiste in the 23rd minute of play was the decider.
In the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader, former champions CM edged out Labowi Connextions 2 – 1.
Labowi Connections went ahead in the sixth minute of play through Romeo Cox; while Andy Joseph scored the equalizer for CM in the 33rd minute. Then CEO of Veterans in Sports Inc Alvin Malaykhan, put his team ahead in the 79th minute which ended up being the winning goal.
Today (Saturday) CM will meet VSADC in the Flow Plate Finals finals, while Flow Lancers takes on Labowi Connextions for the third place.
Played continued Sunday with Gros Islet advancing to the finals of the Caribbean Alliance Gold Cup, with a very impressive 4-1 victory over Valley Legends. Francis Lastic open the scoring for Gros Islet in the 12th minute. Sherman Sylvester made it 2 – 0 in the 14th minute and Roger Celestine scored in the 30th minute of play making the score 3-0.
Following the halftime break, Gros Islet Veterans continue their goal scoring spree. Celestine scored his second in the match in the 67th minute to make it 4 – 0 and to bring his goal tally of the tournament to six.
Samson Robinson pulled one back for Valley Legends in the 80th minute making the final score line 4 – 1,
In the final match Sunday evening, Soufriere Veterans edged out Central Vieux Fort (CVF) 4 – 2 in dramatic fashion. Soufriere’s Tony Paul third minute goal, caught CVF custodian Jeff Emmanuel and the defense flat footed to take a 1 – 0 lead. Then prolific striker Jerome Serville quickly made it 2 – 0 for Soufriere in the ninth minute bringing his goal tally to seven.
CVF horrors and blues continued, as Soufriere continue to press home by seizing every opportunity and capitalizing on CVF defense blunders.
Marinus Joseph put Soufriere further ahead in the 24th minute, while Augustin Lucien sealed the half time deal in the 31st minute to make it 4 – 0.
There was quite a bit left to play for going into the second half. Soufriere went into defense mood, as CVF upped the tempo just a notch. Wilbur Moffat’s two late strikes in the 80th and 89th minute was too little too late and the game ended 4-2.
In the final scheduled for Sunday February 10, Gros Islet Veterans play Soufriere Veterans for the Caribbean Alliance Gold Cup, while Central Vieux Fort and Valley Legends meet for the third place silverware at the PMG in Vieux Fort.
Providing his take on things Malaykhan said: “We have an exciting final, two former champions VSADC and Caricom Masters happening February 3 at the Phillip Marcellin Grounds. Today we saw two exciting games, Gros Islet going up against the Valley. Both teams played really good football all season, but Gros Islet got the better of the Valley 4-2. And the much anticipated match a repeat of last year’s semifinal, Soufriere got their revenge by defeating the home side Central Vieux Fort 4-2. Soufriere looked motivated, energized and I just hope they can keep it up. So we are looking at two exciting finals this weekend and the following one and I would like everyone to come out and support.”
