The Tier 1 Eliminator of the Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League resulted in a 4-0 blowout win for La Clery over Dennery, ending the season for the men in red on Sunday evening at the Dennery Playing Field.
Through the league phase, Dennery had been a fortress. The east coast lads had surrendered only three goals. One of those came in a 1-1 draw with La Clery, who themselves topped the goal scoring table with 23.
Somewhat ironically, La Clery were coached by Dennery-born Zaine Pierre, former national midfielder. On the field, Pierre was always the engine room of the attack, finding opportunities for his forwards to score.
With La Clery, his egalitarian approach resulted in three players netting at least three goals. Yet it would not be a La Clery player giving his team the lead.
La Clery in fact seized the advantage in the 19th minute through a fortuitous bounce for the visitors. It went down as an own goal for Newton Marshall, as a deflected ball looped over goalkeeper Anton Richards, the latter caught just off his line.
That would do it for first-half scoring, notwithstanding opportunities for both sides. La Clery were twice foiled by offside flags, whilst Dennery spurned a great chance to level the game in time added on.
Sustained La Clery pressure would result in a second goal, Andrus Remy converting from a Mervin St Romain pass in the 56th minute.
Defensive confusion led to the third, a ball lobbed from the half line for Remy. Remy went straight at Anton Richards, and scored his sixth goal this season, having played just five fixtures.
St Romain put paid to the home team in the 85th minute, a brilliant strike from 15 yards out sliding past Richards’ outstretched fingers.
Not only a former national player, but captain of the Piton Boyz, Pierre told St Lucia Times that he thinks Remy demonstrated his quality and value ahead of the next international window in November.
“I have told people time and time again I believe that Ti Pry is one of the most lethal attackers in Saint Lucia,” argued Pierre. “And it goes without saying, time and time again he proves his ability and his worth to all of Saint Lucia. That’s just an eye opener for the selectors for the national team.”
Central Castries is already in next weekend’s final. La Clery will now play Gros Islet in Qualifier 2 on Wednesday for the right to face the northerners.
