With just four rounds to go, Vieux Fort South have carved out some breathing room at the top of Tier 1 in the Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League, with back-to-back wins at the Soufrière Stadium. Meanwhile, two-time defending champions La Clery were able to take just one point from their last three games, and are now out of title contention for the time being.
Dennery went top earlier this month, but they have also fallen off the pace as well. They were beaten by Mabouya Valley last week, and by Canaries on Tuesday night. Robert Regis gave Canaries the advantage in the 14th minute, and Lorrick St. Omer confirmed the win three minutes into second-half stoppage time (90’+3) to keep Canaries firmly in the upper bracket while denting Dennery’s chase.
Earlier in the evening, Mabouya Valley enjoys a 5-0 rout of Soufrière to help them climb clear of the relegation zone. Maius Stanislaus opened the scoring in the 10th minute, and Canice Sandiford made it 2-0 in the 21st minute. Torian Joseph struck in the 60th and 86th minutes, alongside a 76th-minute penalty conversion from Canice Sandiford to complete his brace and seal the result.
Hit by multiple transfers, La Clery’s slide continued at the weekend when they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Gros Islet. Thierry Morille scored the lone goal of the contest in the 34th minute to give Gros Islet the lead. A contentious closing period saw La Clery reduced to nine men. Dante Fitz collected a second yellow card in the 86th minute, followed by a straight red card to Lyndon Constantine for violent conduct in the 88th. Gros Islet also finished with 10 men after Samaiel Louisen was sent off in the 88th for violent conduct.
Also at the weekend, Vieux Fort South took full advantage of the chaos below them, with a 4-1 victory over Vieux Fort North in the southern derby. Riquelme Elva converted a penalty in the sixth minute to put Vieux Fort North ahead, but the league leaders answered with four unanswered goals. Saviola Elva levelled from the penalty spot in the 10th, Jerneil Alexander scored two minutes later in the 12th, and Shaun Joseph added a third in first-half stoppage time (45’+1). Trent Alexander completed the scoring in the 54th.
Anse La Raye and Central Castries, both facing relegation, drew 2-2. Brandon Williams put Anse La Raye ahead in the 17th minute before Benerrero Wellington equalised for Central Castries in the 39th minute. Zedan Augustin restored Anse La Raye’s lead in the 54th minute, but Aazah Daniel found a second equaliser for Central Castries in the 70th minute to share the points.
