The Saint Lucia Electricity Services Ltd and Bank of Saint Lucia-sponsored Castries Youth Football League is gearing up for its highly anticipated playoff phase, set to launch this coming weekend as the tournament enters its fourth week of competition. The event, which showcases emerging young football talent across four age groups, has already reached a critical turning point: the Under-12 division has secured its top eight teams, who will go head-to-head in the quarterfinals, while young squads in the Under-7, Under-10, Under-14 and Under-17 categories continue to battle for the remaining playoff positions. Alongside team glory, individual standout players in every division are locked in a tight race to claim the league’s coveted Golden Boot award for top scorer.
Earlier match results have set the stage for this weekend’s high-stakes fixtures. In Under-7 action earlier this week, Lancers FC claimed a solid 2-0 victory over NYAH FC in a hotly contested Castries derby. The side found the back of the net once in each half, with goals from young forwards Traie Constantine and Kaylan Moise securing the win. A second lopsided result followed on Thursday, when GMC United delivered a dominant 6-0 shutout against VSADC. The GMC United attack was led by Shiloh John, Sherdan Sylvester and Shaquil Martelly, each of whom notched a brace in the commanding performance.
All eyes will turn to the Sab Playing Facility this Saturday, where a full slate of divisional matches will unfold. First up, Under-10 fixtures will see Lancers FC square off against FC Pioneers, followed by a clash between Monchy United FC and NYAH FC. Monchy United’s rising star Liam Peter, who scored five goals in the team’s previous outing, will be eager to extend his scoring streak and climb the Golden Boot rankings on Saturday morning.
In the afternoon, the Under-14 division will host three key matchups: VSADC will face FC Pioneers, NYAH FC will go up against GMC United, and Big Players FC will battle Valley Soccer Club. The Golden Boot race in this division is already neck-and-neck: Randel Francois of Lancers FC and Deandre James of FC Pioneers are currently tied on three goals apiece, leaving both hungry to find the net and claim the solo lead in this weekend’s fixtures.
The playoff action officially gets underway on Sunday, when all four Under-12 quarterfinal matches will kick off simultaneously at 9:50 a.m. The quarterfinal lineup matches Lancers FC against New Generation FC, Big Players against Flames United, Maxwell Andrew and Monchy United against NYAH FC, and VSADC against FC Pioneers.
The weekend of competition will wrap up with two decisive Under-17 matches that could largely shape the eventual league championship outcome. Valley Soccer will face NYAH FC, while Monchy United will go head-to-head against GMC United. The division’s Golden Boot race is also well underway: Curtrel Francois of Monchy United currently leads the pack with four goals, while Dacius Prince of Valley Soccer trails close behind on three, giving both players plenty to play for in Sunday’s double-header.