Defending champions La Clery consolidated their position atop Tier 1 of the Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League with a 4-1 win over Soufrière in Vieux Fort on Tuesday night. Gros Islet stayed fifth, after labouring to a 2-2 draw with Dennery, one from bottom.
Yanic Noel broke through in the 13th minute to give La Clery the lead at the Phillip Marcellin Grounds. That score stood until the 74th minute, when substitute Jardel Phillip curled in a stunning free kick to level the scores. He became the first player to find the net against La Clery in five games this term.
But head coach Zaine Pierre’s men responded with aplomb. With fewer than 15 minutes remaining in the contest, Pierre made two substitutions. Within three minutes, Mervin St Romain put the champions back ahead, and Ajani Hippolyte and Malik “Showtime” St Prix also scored in the 85th and 88th minutes to take La Clery to 15 goals for the season, and a fifth win in five games.
Dennery got on the scoresheet early in the second game, Shaquelle William putting Gros Islet on the back foot. Their advantage doubled two minutes into the second half, when Gros Islet’s Giovanni Deterville was credited with an own goal.
Gros Islet got back on even terms and earned a point in a six-minute period through veteran striker Troy Greenidge and winger Ridel Stanislas. “Eto” Greenidge, on as a substitute, pulled one back in the 58th minute, whilst 27-year-old Dennery-born attacker Stanislas knotted up the scores in the 64th.
La Clery are now four points clear of Mabouya Valley atop the league. Gros Islet stay fifth with their second draw. Dennery, the only team still to win this year, remain ninth. And Soufrière, with a win over South Castries, but losses to the top four teams in the competition, languish at the bottom of the league.
