Harold Tucker scored eight goals for Flames United as the St. Maarten Football Federation senior competition kicked off at Raoul Illidge Sports Complex on Sunday.
PHILIPSBURG--Two victorious teams, two losing teams. Someone has to lose but without getting on the scoreboard at all is humiliating to say the least.
That was the case Sunday evening during the opening matches of the St. Maarten Football Federation senior competition when Reggae Lions ran rampant over Oualichi 8-0 in the first game and more heartache was to come in the second game for Veendam Spurs when they lost to Flames United by an even worse score of 12-0.
No doubt football fans and the Federation would have hoped for a more competitive, closer score line but it was not to be. As competition leader Orion Allen observed the losing teams lost simply from lack of experience.
“It was definitely one sided, but Oualichi and Veendam are both very young teams,” he reasoned. “Their players are born around 2002 or 2003 so you get the picture. They lack the experience. You can see that. They were fighting back and had opportunities but could not convert them.
“But where fitness was concerned there was not much difference between the teams. But those younger teams still have the qualities and potential to be playing much better in the years to come when they mature.”
Loxley Parker, Basil Wong and Ryan Stewart all scored twice for Reggae Lions. Other goals were scored by Jermain Johnson (10th) and Devin Harvey (90th).
Harold Tucker from Flames United was relentless, striking into the back of the net no less than eight times during the game. Other goals were scored by Stephen Anderson (7th) and Rohan Taylor scored twice in the 44th and 82nd minute of the game. The game finished with an own goal by Angel Morel in the 88th minute.
Allen added since Irma coaches have been in the neighbourhoods working with the kids, to develop their potential and rejuvenate their social lives.
“Certainly, in January 2019 we will start the primary and secondary football competitions. We did it in March of this year already. Categories will be U11, U9, U13 and U7. Irma was a setback for the Federation but we are trying to get back up to speed. We’d love to get the stakeholders and sponsors back and for the public to come out, watch football and support us. It’s not the same quality as you see on TV, but it’s a process.”
This coming Saturday, November 3, will see C and D United facing Hotspurs United at 7:00pm and on Sunday it will be Funmakers versus United Superstars in the first game at 4:00pm and in the second game Young Strikers will meet FC Soualiga at 6:00pm.
The senior division is open to players of age 15 and up. 11 teams have registered to play in this competition which is organised in a round robin format with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs.
