Gros Islet moved up to joint fourth, but Central Castries bounced up to second place, after the latest action in Tier 1 of the 2025 Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League (SPFL). For the first time, the SPFL came to Gros Islet, with two games at the Francis Baba Lastic Grounds, formerly the Gros Islet Mini Stadium, in front of a packed house on September 6.
The home team, led from the bench by Francis Lastic himself, held on for a 2-1 win over former league leaders Mabouya Valley. The Valley boys lost for the first time this term. They had previously dropped points in draws with South Castries and Vieux Fort South.
Just turned 21 five days prior, Jahlil Evans found the back of the net for the sixth time in a Gros Islet shirt. Upended about 35 yards from goal, the Beausejour native put his left boot through the resultant free kick to open the scoring in the 27th minute.
Evans was in the mix again in the second half. He produced an inswinging corner in the 55th minute that led to the second goal. Troy Greenidge claimed it. He and Evans each have three goals so far this season.
With two minutes remaining in the contest, Mabouya’s Canius Sandiford was taken down in the box. Aaron Richard was found culpable and was shown the yellow card. Canius’ brother, Brandon, converted from 12 yards to halve the deficit, but there would be no further action, and Gros Islet claimed all three points on offer.
Earlier, Pernal Williams got Central Castries rolling against winless Dennery. The veteran #10 produced a lovely left-footed free kick of his own in the 43rd minute. In the 81st, Messiah Pinel rounded off a sweeping move that included just six passes from goal to goal to clinch an important result for Central, their fourth win in six games.
