Gros Islet kicked off the Blackheart / Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA) Knockout Tournament with a massive 15-0 win over Laborie on Sunday at the Philip Marcellin Grounds in Vieux Fort. With this result, the Northern Zone Under-20 Boys’ champions became the first team into the quarterfinals. They were joined by Dennery, who recorded a 3-1 victory over Vieux Fort North to also advance.
The northerners opened the scoring in the eighth minute through Mickel Castang, and the prolific Rickelme Lionel doubled the advantage five minutes later. Momentum continued as Devaj Edward and Kendrick Antoine netted within minutes of each other. Castang completed a first-half hat-trick, Edward got to a brace, and Thierry Morille found the back of the net, bringing the score to 8-0 at halftime.
Laborie faced even more challenges in the second period. Early in the half, Edward polished off his hat-trick just 10 minutes in. Then Traylan Henry scored, and Lionel added two more goals. Morille picked up a second, and Ernitus Edward finished things off with a brace in the final five minutes of regulation, concluding the rout.
In the other quarterfinal match, Eastern Zone winners Dennery took the lead through Corin Hunte in the seventh minute. Vieux Fort North quickly responded to equalise in the 19th, thanks to Keshawn Charles. However, the tone shifted in the second half as Bourne Innocent scored in the 65th and 85th minutes to secure the win.
Earlier in the weekend, action began with three qualifying matches. Roseau Valley beat Babonneau 2-0 on the strength of goals from Neeshaun Polius. Meanwhile, Micoud reached the Round of 16 after a 2-0 victory over Marchand, with Raven Marshall getting on the scoresheet early.
Mon Repos, playing with just one substitute, played a tightly contested match to squeeze past Desruisseaux 3-2. Janhnil Jn Baptiste put DX ahead, but Tonio St Rose (23) and Tashawn Walter (27) gave MoPo the halftime lead. Late in the game, Jn Baptiste struck again two minutes from time to make it 2-2, but his namesake, Andreas Jn Baptiste, won it for Mon Repos in the third minute of injury time.
The Round of 16 continues at the PMG on Wednesday, May 20, when Castries Central will play South Castries, and Vieux Fort South will face qualifiers Mon Repos.
