Gros Islet Youth Lions are into the semifinals of the Kenson Casimir Bay Bay Cup football tournament, after defeating Dominators FC 5-2 on Wednesday, February 11, at the Francis Baba Lastic Grounds. Monchy United swept Group B, swamping Gros Islet Veterans 4-1.
The youngsters needed to win by at least three goals in order to knock GMC United out of the tournament. The Lions beat GMC in the series opener and then lost to New Generation FC. GMC, meanwhile, followed that loss with wins over Dominators and New Generation, finishing their Group B campaign with a +3 goal difference.
In the event, the boys were up against it at halftime, with the score just 2-1 to their advantage. Sanick Theodore opened the tally for the lads in the 25th minute, but Rahym Cenac levelled in the 37th. Devonte Howell put the youth team back ahead on the stroke of the interval.
In the second period, Kendrick Antoine netted in the 52nd minute, before youth international Shevon Byron added a brace in the 56th and 67th minutes. His fifth goal of the season gave Gros Islet Youth some breathing room, and Selwyn Boyce’s 72nd-minute goal for Dominators was no more than a consolation.
Monchy United’s victory formalised top spot in their group. A somewhat laboured effort for most of the match ended with a flattering scoreline. Jahlil Evans made it 1-0 in the 20th minute, and Troy Greenidge doubled the lead on 37 minutes after beating the offside trap. The veterans got one back through Darlan Cenac two minutes later.
Evans was on the spot again in the 76th minute, with the seniors flagging, and Monchy mounting a sustained assault at the Post Office End. Raphael Joseph clinched the win in the 79th minute.
The playoffs are likely to feature Gros Islet Youth against Monchy United, and defending champions Northern United against guest team New Generation FC, this Sunday at the Baba Lastic Grounds in Gros Islet.
