Beach Soccer: Curtain-raiser 2024 |26 February 2024

One Stone captain Herrod Prosper accepting the winners’ cup from Philip Sinon who is responsible for beach soccer on the SFF executive committee (Photo: Roland Duval)

One Stone edge out Club Stormy Taka to clinch season’s opener title

Defending league champions One Stone have entered the 2024 season on a high, showing their intention to defend the title after winning the Curtain-raiser trophy, following their 8-7 victory over Seychelles Football Federation Cup winners Club Stormy Taka at the Roche Caïman Beach Soccer Arena last Friday.

In a match which set the ball rolling for the new season which will begin on Thursday, it was One Stone who opened the score in the 6th minute of play through captain Herrod Prosper before Martin William doubled the lead one minute later.

Sandy Luc pulled a goal back for Takamaka-based side Club Stormy Taka before Stephane Lajoie equalised – 2-2 – seconds later.

Mederick Jean-Baptiste then gave Club Stormy Taka a 3-2 lead which they kept until the end of the first period.

With only a few seconds played in the second period, William equalised for One Stone – 3-3 – before goalkeeper Damien Adela showed off his on-the-field skills, scoring from long-range to give One Stone a 4-3 lead.

A goal behind, Club Stormy Taka pushed forward, and their efforts paid off in the 5th minute of the second period when Ryan Servina scored to tie the match at four goals apiece, before Mike Balette scored in the 10th minute to give them a 5-4 lead.

With only 13 seconds left to play in the second period, William scored to put One Stone level, ending the period on a 5-5 score.

In the third period of the match, a brace from Jean-Baptiste put Club Stormy Taka in the driver’s seat at 7-5, only to see William reduce the score to 7-6 before captain Prosper equalised at 7-7 to send the match into extra-time.

In three minutes of added time, both teams pushed forward trying to find the winning goal, but it was William who found the net with only four seconds remaining to give One Stone an 8-7 win and the Curtain-raiser title – their eighth in total.

Roland Duval