BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - CONAREE FC are the early pace setters following night one of the St. Kitts-Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) 2013 Digicel Premier Division Playoffs.
Playing Thursday evening (Aug. 8) at the Silver Jubilee Stadium, Kadeem Lewis netted two goals to propel the League leaders to topple Rams Village Superstars 3-1, thus earning an early advantage in the Playoffs.
Conaree got off to a fast start when Lewis broke away from the Village defenders and tapped the ball passed the keeper after his initial effort was thwarted.
The League leaders continued to dominate the first half but were unsuccessful in finding the back of the net. However, just before the halftime, Village players got control of the ball and threatened the Conaree’s goal on a number of occasions, with their best effort coming from Dhajal Kelly who powered a shot towards the goalkeeper, who in turn pulled off a magnificent save.
Early in the second half, Conaree regained their dominance of the ball and were rewarded when a powerful strike from Lewis flew by the goalkeeper to double the advantage.
The Village however showed enormous courage and determination and found success when Joel Jeffers opened their account with a beautiful strike in the 68th minute to give his team hope of a comeback.
In search of the all important equaliser, Village were dealt a huge blow when Alistair ‘Poodle’ Warner was red carded in the 84th minute.
Village were given further misery when Glenroy Samuel capped off a Conaree counter attack in the 90th minute.
Officials for the game were Kimbell Ward, Steadroy Douglas, Alexis Joseph and James Matthew. Match Commissioner and Referee Assessor was Anthony Rawlins
In the earlier game, Hobson Enterprises Garden Hotspurs and the S.L. Horsford’s St. Paul’s opened up their Final Four campaign with a 1-all draw.
The game got off to a slow start with both teams seemingly playing nervously.
St. Paul’s was however the first to up the tempo and started to create goal scoring chances but with no success.
As the coaches were preparing their half time speeches for their respective teams, their topics however changed when a lapse in St. Paul’s defence left Carlos Bertie of Spurs unmarked in the 18-yard box. He took full advantage of the moment and with great composure gave his team the advantage just before the halftime whistle.
At the start of the second half, desperation was obvious in the play of the St. Paul’s team and they were compensated when an incisive break away was beautifully finished by Terrance Warde in the 69th minute.
Officials were Tristley Bassue, Delroy Jeffers, Mario Parry and Steadroy Techeira. Match Commissioner and Referee Assessor was Troy Mills.
The games were witnessed by Caribbean Football Union (CFU) President Gordon Derrick who inspected the teams before each game.
The SKNFA also honoured two local stalwarts of the game in Carlton Hanley and Clinton ‘Tinny’ Percival.
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