[dropcap]T[/dropcap]wo time defending champions El Ninos FC retained the 2018 Desruisseaux Football League/ Saint Lucia Football Association Promotional Cup championship on Sunday afternoon. In doing so they defeated Diamond Ballers 2-1 in front of a crowd close to 1500 at the Desruisseaux Playing Field.
It was the challengers who drew first blood. Their talisman Lamar Serieux converted from the spot in the 13th minute making it 1-0 in favour of Diamond Ballers. Despite numerous half attempts, no clear cut opportunities were created by either teams so the first half ended 1-0.
At the resumption, El Ninos FC came out firing on all cylinders in search of the equalizer. However, they were frustrated by some brilliant defending by Diamond Ballers FC.
Half way through the second half Diamond Ballers went into a defensive mood. That tactic proved rather costly as El Ninos FC found the back of the net from the tournaments leading goal scorer Gerlannie Neptune. He scored in the 74th minute and it was game on from here.
Shortly after things got worse for Diamond Ballers FC. Gerlannie scored his team’s second goal in the 79th minute giving El Ninos FC a 2-1 advantage.
Despite Diamond Ballers FC desperate fight, the two time defending champions kept their cool and made it three titles in a row.
In the third place silverware played at 2:00 pm, La CourVille FC defeated DX United 3 -1 in a penalty shootout after the scores were locked 1-1 after regulation time.
La CourVille FC got on the score sheet as early as the sixth minute, with a goal from Jacob Augustin.
DX United thought they had the equalizer in the 35th after being awarded a penalty, but it turned into a missed opportunity by Quincy Francis.
No further goals were scored as the half ended 1-0.
At the resumption of play, La CourVille defended desperately to protect their one nil advantage. However, DX United scored a goal from Anthony Griffith in the 85th minute sending the game into a penalty shootout that La CourVille FC eventually won.
Meanwhile, also on Sunday following the finals, the draw for the knockout competition took place and will feature the top eight teams in the league. The participating teams are: TFC, La CourVille FC, Lionheart, Diamond Ballers, El Ninos FC, Green Monsters FC, Dx United and Blanchard United.
After the draw the following match ups will be played in the upcoming weeks: La CourVille FC vs DX United, Diamond Ballers vs Lion Heart, El Ninos FC vs Blanchard United and TFC vs Green Monsters.
