Following semi-play over the weekend, Gros Islet and Mon Repos will play in the finals of the St Lucia Football Association Under-21 Football Competition.
Gros Islet won their semi-final encounter with a 3-1 win over Dennery Saturday afternoon at the Sab Playing Field.
In the first half, Travis Meril of Dennery got his team off to a flying start by scoring in the opening minute of the game.
It held up until the 47 minute mark when Ed Williams equalized for Gros Islet.
In the second half Aramis Gilbert, the highest scorer in the tournament, took control for Gros Islet. He scored two goals in the 62nd and 77th minute to seal the victory.
In the second game of this doubleheader, Mon Repos came out on top but it wasn’t easy. The game was tied 1-1 after regulation time. Jamile Goodman put Mon Repos ahead 1-0 with a goal in the eighth minute.
Castries Central came back and got the equalizer when Emmery Edward scored in the 66th minute.
The game went into extra time and neither team was able to score. As a result penalty kicks were needed to decide the winner, which saw Mon Repos prevail.
Having lost in a previous final, Mon Repos hope this time around the outcome will be in their favor.
Mon Repos Coach Vance Vitalis said: “We made the final before but this year was a bit difficult and we had to come back with everything. It was difficult because we brought in additional players. Last year we were too complacent and went out in the early stage.”
Despite winning, Vitalis criticized his team for their lack luster performance. “We actually dropped the game,” he said. “We stopped playing football. We did not do half
the stuff we learned in games. We didn’t pass the ball, we were just kicking it and playing it long and expected results.”
Vitalis is expecting a tough match with Gros Islet and due to the fact they pass very well, he told me “we have to play a counter attacking game with them.”
That’s not all. Vitalis and his players better find a way to contain Gros Islet sharpshooter Aramis Gilbert who has been a nightmare for goalkeepers.
