[dropcap]S[/dropcap]emifinals places in both the U10 and U17 age categories were decided last weekend, as action continued in the Piton Malta Castries Football Council (CFC) / Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA) Northern Zone Youth Football Tournament.
Heading into last Saturday’s U10 action Valley Soccer and VSADC Pinehill U10 were assured on places, as they had unassailable leads at the top of their respective groups so it was all to play for in the other matches.
B1 caused a mild upset by handing VSADC Pinehill U10 their first defeat of the tournament. Having already qualified for the semifinals, VSADC Pinehill U10 may have allowed complacency to set in against a B1 team which needed to win to qualify.
The previously tight VSADC Pinehill U10 defeat was breached on four occasions in the match, as B1 emerged as 4-3 victors.
For B1 Jerome Joseph scored a hat trick and he was supported by Rashad Herman and Kimauri St Rose.
For VSADC Pinehill U10 once again all the goals were scored by the duo of Armani Lesmond and Jahnard Modeste. Lesmond got a goal and Modeste extended his scoring streak to six consecutive games when he recorded a brace.
GMC United defeated New Generations by 2 goals to 1. Michael Justin scored both goals for GMC United and Devaj Edward got the lone goal for New Generations.
Massy Stores Northern United secured a semifinals place with a 4-0 victory over Flow Lancers FC. Thierry Moriel led Massy Stores Northern United with a brace.
The final U10 match of the weekend did not take place as for the second week in a row Big Players did not show up for their match.
The semifinals line up for the U10 division includes VSADC Lucozade U17 and Valley Soccer Club from Castries, Massy Stores Northern United from Gros Islet and B1 from Marchand.
In the U17 quarter finals, VSADC Lucozade U17 booked their place into the semifinals with 1 – 0 victory over their Castries rival Flow Lancers FC.
After a goalless first half, Flow Lancers FC were awarded a penalty early in the second half for a foul committed by national U17 defender Benerero Wellington who was shown a second yellow card.
Facing 10 players and being awarded a penalty, meant that Flow Lancers FC were in a great position to cause an upset. However, stand in goal keeper Anthony Mondesir who normally plays as a winger made a fine save to deny the spot kick.
From the resulting passage of play, Flow Lancers FC were made to rue the penalty miss when VSADC Lucozade U17 launched a swift counter attack. In ended with Ray J Modeste getting a tamely struck right foot shot past the Flow Lancers FC goalkeeper, to secure his team’s place in the semifinals.
The second quarter finals match lacked any drama, as Big Players from Marchand got past Massy Stores Northern United by 6 – 2.
A four-goal onslaught by Jenaie Lesmond and strikes from Kimani Monrose and Jvon Frederick were enough to eliminate the Gros Islet champions.
Samuel Lawrence and Jeremiah Justin each scored what amounted to nothing more than consolation goals for Massy Stores Northern United as they were eliminated.
The third quarter final was a Castries derby, when FC Pioneers took on Valley Soccer Club. The teams played to a draw in the round robin stages and so the stage was set for tight affair.
At the final whistle it was the Castries champions Valley Soccer Club who emerged victorious on the strength of goals from Daniel Kennedy in the 15th minute, Deneshe St John in the 26th minute and Rio Longville in the 77th minute.
Akim Henry scored the lone goal for FC Pioneers.
The final quarter match saw New Generation take on BAYS. The preliminary round match between the two teams saw New Generation totally dominate. However, the quarter final match was a tight and tense affair, as BAYS came out determined to cause an upset led by Nathan Daniel.
After a goalless first half, Kursane Joseph broke the deadlock with a well taken goal to give BAYS a shock lead.
Playing a goal down seemed to energize New Generation and they attacked with verve and intent. Their efforts were rewarded in the 65th minute when they tied the match through an effort from Kiwayne John. From that point the match became wide open, as each team launched goal raids in search of the winner.
The eventual winning goal for New Generation was partly due to luck when BAYS were reduced to 10 men, when one of their players left the field for a prolonged period due to cramps. This seemed to unbalance BAYS. A lapse in concentration allowed New Generation to seal the victory in stoppage time thanks to Bertley Marcel.
The semifinals lineup for the U17 division includes VSADC Lucozade U17 and Valley Soccer Club from Castries, New Generation from Babonneau and Big Players from Marchand.
Semifinals matches will take place at the SAB Sporting Facility today (Saturday) from 10:00 am.
