New Generation FC and Monchy United consolidated the leads in their respective groups, as action continued in the Kenson Casmir Bay Bay Cup on Friday, February 1 – the beginning of match day two – at the Francis Baba Lastic Grounds in Gros Islet.
All four teams in action on Sunday night had won their opening matches, including New Generation FC, who cruised to a 9-0 victory in their opener. Against the Gros Islet Youth Lions, the guest team had a tougher time, but the boys from Babonneau were able to do enough to earn a 2-0 victory, behind goals from Richelme Lionel in the fifth minute, and Yanic Noel in the 15th.
“The guys were very eager to play the game, to put into practice everything that we did on the training ground, and they knew it would not be an easy game. The Gros Islet Youth play well in spurts, but we were able to get the better of them,” said NGFC coach Solomon Alexander.
Alexander told St Lucia Times that he is hopeful the team’s current form will help spur a revival in their community. NGFC finished second to Monchy United in the preseason soccerama, and have been the standard-bearers for Babonneau football for some time now.
“I am pretty sure most of the fans who came on board, they are pleased with the performance, and they are looking for better things from New Generation, and from Babonneau,” he said. “Hopefully, in the next month, we should have a Babonneau competition that will bring more players out and get the football back where it’s supposed to be in Babonneau.”
Monchy United FC thrashed Police 8-0 to reinforce their lead in Group B. Jahlil Evans had a hat trick before halftime, netting in the 27th, 34th, and 42nd minutes. Troy Greenidge’s 40th-minute goal made it 4-0 at the interval. In the second half, Greenidge and Evans each scored again. Raphael Joseph had a four-minute brace in the 73rd and 76th minutes.
NGFC consolidated Group A leadership with a full six points from their two matches, and a plus-11 goal difference. Gros Islet Youth are second after defeating GMC in their opener.
GMC, meanwhile, must beat NGFC next Sunday to have a chance of advancing to the semifinals. First, though, they must face Dominators in the Grande Riviere derby this Wednesday. Dominators are in the cellar, but must still also play the Lions.
