BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - UNRELENTING pressure from S.L. Hosford’s St. Paul’s did little to stop Conaree F.C. last night (Aug. 21) at the Silver Jubilee Stadium as they scored a lone goal to captured the St. Kitts-Nevis Football Association’s Digicel Premier League title for the first time in the history of the tournament.
An 89th minute strike by Andy Liburd was enough to separate both teams as the game seemed to be heading for a second straight goalless 90-minute.
Liburd’s strike came as time was running out and St. Paul’s goalkeeper was forced to make no less than three saves in the space of 10 seconds, but he was unable to keep out Liburd’s shot which sparked celebrations from the Conaree players and supporters.
From the kick off however, St. Paul’s wasted no time making the statement that they came prepared to avenge their loss on penalties in game one and created ample goal scoring opportunities, but their efforts were thwarted by some robust and excellent defensive strategies.
Following the game’s only goal, the St. Paul’s players seemed dejected but still continued to search for that elusive goal but were halted by the final whistle.
Celebrations then kicked off with the team and their fans for their first Premier Division title.
Conaree’s Coach Alexis Morris was delighted at his team’s performance and had praises for his players following the victory.
“I am very grateful for the bunch of guys we have here. We went out there tonight and we were determined that there was not going to be a game three.”
He added that his team surprised St. Paul’s.
“St. Paul’s did not know what was coming. They expected the guy that scored the goal would have started the game tonight.
“My thing is we would have brought him off the bench and there is where he would have gotten his energy from. I know the things he could do and he did what we wanted him to do; that is put the ball in the back of the net.”
Morris also congratulated his opponents for their efforts.
“I can’t go without congratulating our opponents. They played a heck of a series but, as I said before, it is Conaree time and this is well deserved and I hope we move from strength to strength going forward.”
Conaree’s goalkeeper Clifford Samuel won the award for the Most Valuable Player in the Finals and Evansroy Barns of SPD United won the Rookie of the Year Award.
Officials were Kimbelll Ward, Graeme Browne, O'Brien Clarke and James Matthew. Match Commissioner was Anthony Rawlins and Fitzroy Eddy was the Referee Assessor.
With fireworks, confetti and music filling the air, the team and its large gathering of supporters celebrated well into the night, having undoubtedly proven that Conaree was largely without equal in the 2013 season.
