Host submits to St Lucia

Host St Vincent and the Grenadines would be hardpressed to lift the trophy of the 2013 National Lotteries Authority revived Windward Islands Football Competition, after a dismal showing against St Lucia in their opening fixture on Sunday evening at the Victoria Park.{{more}}

The Vincentians did little to bring joy to their home fans, and went under 2: nil to the St Lucians.

More adept at playing for the gallery and show boating, the local players found the stage not for actors, but for performers.

The first act saw St Lucian Eden Charles deflecting a free kick from his captain Sheldon Emanuel that dipped, thereby sending Vincentian custodian Kenyon Lynch the wrong way.

Stout defending and an organized St Lucian outfit thwarted the few responses at scoring made by the Vincentians.

A rasping shot by Myron Samuel in the 44th minute was the Vincentians’ best effort. But St Lucian goalkeeper Randy Poleon pulled off a spectacular save.

The hosts were also denied by Poleon, midway in the second half, denying a Nical Stephens’ shot.

But a long range effort from defender Pernal Williams in the 78th minute bamboozled Lynch, who was off his line, as he looked in dismay to see the ball deposit in the net.

The goal triggered a steady procession of spectators through the gate, as they, like the players on the field, had no hope of a come from behind victory.

For the victorious coach of St Lucia, Francis Lastic, it was one which he said they had planned for.

Lastic told SEARCHLIGHT that his coaching staff had assessed the Vincentian team when both last met in St Lucia in October 2012, in the Caribbean Cup, in which the St Lucians won 1:nil.

“No games are the same, but we planned for this match and we got the result, Lastic said.

Lastic, a former St Lucia player, said that his team will assess the Grenadians and hopefully come away with another win which will assure them of the title.

Meanwhile, technical director of the St Vincent and the Grenadines team Keith Ollivierre commented that the Vincentians had too much lateral movement of the ball, and lacked the penetrative plays, which could result in them finding the back of the net.

Ollivierre is optimistic that the Vincentians will outplay Grenada and save their faces in their next competitive fixture.

The Vincentians next play a President‘s XI in tonight’s first match on the double header; however this match will not have any bearing on the championship.

The President’s XI which whipped Grenada 2-1 in Sunday’s evening’s first match was put together by the SVGFF following the withdrawal of Dominica from the tournament.

The withdrawal of the Dominicans was occasioned by the tragic death of their coach Kurt Hector and player Norran Jno Hope, who were involved in a motor vehicular accident while en route to the Melville Hall airport.

The President’s XI’s goals came from Dominic Small and Tevin Slater. Kwan Baptiste responded for the Grenadians.

The Vincentians’ campaign can be well over, based on the outcome of tonight’s second match when Grenada plays St Lucia.

The competition closes off on Thursday when the President’s XI faces off with St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines play Grenada. (RT)