The New Vibes scored five second half goals to defeat the Laraza 5-0 in Thursday night’s late St. Thomas Region’s action at the Lionel Roberts Stadium. The Laraza missed a penalty kick in the first half that would have given them a lead, but after a goalless first half, things fell apart for them in the second. The New Vibes’ Ozzie Espinoza scored a brace while Brian Charlery, Vernus Abbott and Eustace Jn Baptiste each scored one goal. Both teams played two-thirds of the game with 10 men as Joseph Hunt of the New Vibes and Rudy McCurdy of the Laraza were both red carded for violent conduct. The New Vibes would only need a tie in their Sunday encounter with the Raymix to secure second place.
In the earlier game, Trevor Wrensford Jr. scored a goal in each half, and the Raymix held on to defeat the Togetherness 2-1 in the battle for second or third place. With the victory, the Raymix still has a slim chance to overtake the New Vibes for second place. After being down 2-0, the Togetherness’ Rakym Eddy converted a penalty in the last 10 minutes of the game as they staged a mini-comeback. The Raymix ended the game with 10 men as Vivian Florent was red carded after receiving two bookable cautions.
The league comes to an end at the end of the week, and the top two teams will represent the region in the association’s cup set for St. Croix on the weekend of the Feb. 23 and 24.