Marchand and Castries victorious

Well into the wee morning hours Marchand emerged champions of the inaugural St Lucia Football Association (SLFA) FA Cup competition, in Saturday night’s final at the Beausejour Cricket Ground. The game began at about 10 pm and ended early Sunday morning.

For Marchand fans it was well worth the wait. Their team defeated Mabouya Valley in the final. It was decided in a sudden death penalty shootout, after the score stood at 1-1 after 90 minutes of play.

Mabouya Valley went ahead in the encounter when a right side cross deflected off a Marchand defender, hit the cross bar and went in off Marchand goal keeper Alton Roberts.

Five minutes later Marchand equalized, when Kerwin Brett flicked a header past Mabouya goal keeper Iran Cassius for his striking partner Lincoln Phillip to nod over the line.

In the penalty shoot out Mabouya players Zaccheus Polius and Shanroy Gittens had their penalties saved by Marchand’s keeper Roberts. Richard Smith from Marchand kicked his penalty way over the bar and in sudden death Marchand’s goal keeper Roberts converted to bring victory to his team.

In the third place play off, Soufriere behind two goals from Sege Felix defeated Vieux Fort South 2-1. National Captain Sheldon “Ras” Emmanuel converted for Vieux Fort South.

The following awards were presented after the final: Best Midfielder, Valdez Maximin (Marchand); Best Defender, Ricardo Paul (Marchand); Best Attacker, Vernon Abbott (Mabouya Valley); Best Goal Keeper, Alton Roberts (Marchand); Most Disciplined Team (Mabouya Valley); MVP, Vernon Abbott (Mabouya Valley).

For winning the title Marchand receives $12,000, second place Mabouya Valley $7,000, third place finishers Soufriere 3,000 while fourth place finishers Vieux Fort South take home $1,500.

In another final played earlier in the day, Castries won the Under 16 National title for 2013, when they defeated Micoud in the finals 4-2. At half time Castries led 4-1. For the winning side Bradley Cyril who scored two goals, with single markers going to Damian Louis and Avian Girad.

Micoud scored first in the encounter when Canaii Nervais put them in front. Roshard Joseph scored the other goal for Micoud.

In the Under 16 Third Place Playoff, Vieux Fort South got past Soufriere 3-1.

The following awards were presented in the Under 16 National competition: Most Outstanding Defender, Harrison Moffat (Castries); Most Outstanding Striker, Noah Nicholas (Vieux Fort South); Most Outstanding Midfielder, Jardel Prospere (Castries); Most Outstanding Goal Keeper, Vino Marcellin (Vieux Fort South); Fair Play Award (Micoud); MVP of the Tournament, Lael Cherry (Castries).

For having won the competition Castries receives $3,000; second place Micoud, 2,000; third Vieux Fort South, $1,500; and fourth place Soufriere, $1,000.