BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE stage is now set for the final showdown between SL Horsford’s St. Paul’s FC and RAMS Village Superstars following the latter’s 2-1 controversial victory in game two of the two best of three of the Premier Division Final Four Competition played at the Warner Park Stadium on Saturday (June 18).
In an equally matched game and with St. Paul’s desperately needing a win to stop Village being crowned champions before the third and final game, the first half produced a tense battle but ended goalless for both teams.
St. Paul’s however opened the account at the start of the second half through a George ‘Yellowman’ Isaac strike.
He received a long cross from the right wing, which bubbled up after a Village defender miskicked, leaving him unchallenged and with plenty time to shoot the ball into the back of the nets.
Village equalised just before full time after they won a free kick about 25 yards out.
The free kick was taken by Jevon Francis who powerfully blasted a ball that soared through the air like a rocket, swerved in midflight, deflected off the inside of the left post before rocking the back of the nets.
Shortly after the equaliser however, the ball was crossed from the right flank and Josh Leader, who was positioned close to Village’s goal, allegedly left fisted it to the back of the nets.
Village objected to the goal, but the lineswoman, who was said to have been in a position to observe every movement, denied it being a handball.
This decision resulted in controversy as the Village players confronted and argued with the referee, claiming it was an illegal goal, but the referee ignored them and allowed the game to continue.
At the end of the game, SKNVibes failed in its attempts to get a comment from the referee and his assistants, as they were heavily guarded in their dressing room because members of Village Superstars had attacked them and was still complaining about St. Paul’s controversial goal.
Many spectators claimed it was plain to see that Leader had handled the ball and noted that the lineswoman’s vision was not impeded, but “because she is from St. Paul’s she turned a blind eye”.
One football enthusiast voiced his displeasure over the decision and asked, “Was the match fixed so that there will be a third game in order for the football association to make more money?”
Another one said, “It was unfair to have a referee in a game that involves a team from the same area where he or she lives. Therefore, the blame should rest squarely on the association’s shoulders for not engaging neutral referees.”
The third and final game is scheduled for Wednesday (June 22) at the same venue and promises to produce fireworks.
