It’s crunch time in Tier 1 of the Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League, with just three rounds of preliminary competition remaining, and two-time champions La Clery are in danger of missing the playoffs entirely, whilst Vieux Fort South are riding high.
League leaders Vieux Fort South extended their advantage to four points at the top of the table, despite being held to a goalless draw by Central Castries at the Soufriere Stadium over the weekend. Canaries and Soufriere also played to a scoreless draw, allowing Dennery to move into second place on goal difference.
VFS dropped points against Central Castries on Friday. Shaun Joseph was cautioned in the 21st minute for Vieux Fort South, while Kaylan Harry received a yellow card for Central Castries in the 61st minute as both teams cancelled each other out.
Dennery opened Saturday’s schedule with a 4-0 win over Vieux Fort North, scoring all four goals in the first half. Garvin Reggie converted a penalty in the 19th minute and added his second in the 40th, to take his season tally to 10 goals at the top of the scoring charts. Venus Valcent scored in the 23rd minute, and Shaquelle William found the net in the 31st to secure the three points and lift Dennery into second place.
In Saturday’s second match, Anse La Raye handed La Clery their sixth defeat of the campaign, winning 4-2. Vershaun Jerome put Anse La Raye ahead in the eighth minute before Uhann Degazon and Alfred Hippolyte responded for La Clery in the 31st and 37th minutes. Anse La Raye turned the contest around after the interval, with Jaydin Ezekiel equalising in the 63rd minute and Dahmanii Berthier striking twice in the 67th and 75th minutes to seal the win.
Sunday’s first encounter saw Gros Islet and Mabouya Valley draw 1-1. Hamaiael Charlery gave Gros Islet the lead in the second minute, but Torian Joseph equalised in the 45th minute, recording his eighth goal of the competition.
The weekend concluded with a scoreless draw in the west coast derby, between neighbours Canaries and Soufriere. Canaries finished the match with 10 men after Cassius “Messi” Joseph was sent off in the 80th minute, receiving a second caution for simulation following an earlier booking in the 74th minute.
Vieux Fort South lead the standings on 29 points from 15 matches. Dennery and Canaries are tied on 25 points, with Dennery holding the edge on goal difference. Gros Islet sit fourth on 24 points, followed by Soufriere on 20 and La Clery on 19.
Vieux Fort North occupy seventh on 18 points, whilst Mabouya Valley are just above the relegation zone, eighth on 17. Anse La Raye are still in danger of going down to Tier 2, as they are ninth on 14, and Central Castries remain at the foot of the table on 13 points.
