BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – S.L HORSFORD’S St. Paul’s have joined Sol Island Auto Conaree in the SKNFA National Bank Premier League Finals after defeating that team last evening (Jul. 22) in the last game of the Final Four playoffs.
With Conaree already assured a spot in the Finals and Harris Paint St. Peter’s been eliminated, Ram’s Village Superstars needed to win and had hoped for a St. Paul’s loss to earn a Finals spot.
Needing that win, Village Superstars had gotten the best possible start when they won a penalty in the eighth minute, but it went awry and the first half ended nil-all.
In the second half, a desperate Village pressed the St. Peter’s team and was rewarded in the 58th minutes through a fine strike from Gevaune Amory.
Amory then found the back of the net for the second time to give his team a convincing 2-0 lead.
The St. Peter’s team was reduced to nine men with Shian Warrington and Delroy Barzey receiving marching orders from the referee.
However, despite the Superstars’ efforts they could not have found the back of their opponents' net and had to settle for a 2-0 victory.
With Village gaining victory, St. Paul’s only had to avoid defeat against Conaree which had already booked their spot in the Finals.
Conaree looked the better of the two teams and forced a number of saves from St. Paul’s goalkeeper Jamal Francis. Their hustle was however fruitful in the 27th minute through a strike by Kyshaun Ward to dent the hopes of St. Paul’s fans and had Village fans singing their praises.
The game however took a turn as St. Paul’s showed championship pedigree to first win a penalty that was scored by Keithroy Freeman in the 50th minute and a free kick by Rasheed Hodge in the 77th minute.
Though the players fought bravely, Conaree failed to get an equaliser, leaving St. Paul's to join them in the Finals.
Kelvin Elliott and Lloyd Lazar were honoured by the SKNFA.
