Virgin Holidays Football Final 4
Story and Photo By Anthony De Beauville

<< ( Photo ) Another goal move by Flames in the dying moments of the first half versus Trou Rouge on Saturday 26th January.

The 2008 Virgin Holidays Football Tournament in the Marchand League is now at its semi-final stage after quarter-final action at the weekend. Football enthusiasts from the East Castries community and its environs will this week witness the four semi-finalists who have made it through, Arundell Hill, Trou Rouge, Toughest and Black Mallet.
( Photo ) The tough certainly got going as both players fought for the ball in this tackle One of the many brilliant saves of the afternoon by Trou Rouge custodian Andre >>

In quarter-final action on Saturday 26th January Arundell Hill had a 1-0 win over Spurs as # 14 Linclon Solomon put the lone goal of the match away for Arundell Hill in the 54th minute to secure a semi final berth versus Black Mallet on Thursday afternoon.
Meanwhile, in the second encounter on the afternoon in perfect weather conditions Trou Rouge edged out Flames two goals to one, # 17 Jose Clyne put Trou Rouge in the lead in the 10th minute when he beat the off side trap and saw no resistance from the Flames custodian Hyacinth Smith who believed Clyne was off side; but Referee Timothy Joseph and Linesman Mark ‘Ijamo’ Eugene saw it differently. Minutes before the half time whistle # 8 Jason Sidney got the well deserved equalizer for Flames in the 25 minute to leave the score even at the half 1-1.

<< ( Photo ) Antoine in the second half, as he denied Flames an equalizer.

At the resumption what most football enthusiasts thought since the scores were level, did not live up to expectation as both teams still look unsettled on the square. But the man of the moment # 4 Phillip Tisson had different ideas when his right booter in the 63rd minute secured the victory for Trou Rouge with 10 men on the field as dread locks # 8 Mervin Stanislaus was red carded by Referee Timothy Joseph for dangerous play
( Photo ) An attempted bicycle kick by Flames in the penalty area >>

On Sunday 27th January Toughest maintained their reputation as the toughest on the square as they defeated Congorians one goal to nil, while Black Mallet had a 4-1 penalty shoot-out victory over arch rival Grass Street, after the encounter ended 1-1 at regulation time. One of the high lights of the afternoon saw former National custodian Danny Michel back in the uprights saving two penalties for Black Mallet in the shoot-out.
( Photo ) Another goal attempt in the first half by Flames’ #14

According to organizers the two semi-finals will be played on Wednesday 30th and Thursday 31st January of this week. Tournament Coordinator Errol Montoute has released the semi-final match-ups. On Wednesday Trou Rouge takes on Toughest while on Thursday Black Mallet will battle it out in what is expected to be a keenly contested encounter versus one of the Tournament favourites Arundell Hill
The Finals and third place play-off will take place on Sunday 3rd February 2008.