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Colombian Rodriquez snatches late Connection winner over Real Maracas

Richard Roy scored three times in the second half and Josimar Belgrave twice, when Defence Force (Pro League) crushed Northern Football Association (NFA) outfit Queens Park Cricket Club (QPCC) FC 7-1 in the preliminary round of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA)-run FA Trophy on Wednesday.



QPCC, hosting the soldiers at Dibe Recreation Ground in Long Circular, scored first but it was an own goal credited to former Trinidad and Tobago youth player Chad De Freitas in the 25th minute – a 1-0 lead that Defence Force took into the break.

Jerome Charles equalised for QPCC in the 58th minute but Defence Force stormed back with six goals.

Forward Richard Roy netted in the 68th, 72nd and 84th minutes while midfielder Josimar Belgrave grabbed a double with items in the 80th and 87th minute. Winger Akeem Roach was also on the score sheet for the soldiers with a goal in the 63rd minute.

As for defending FA Trophy champions and four-time winners DIRECTV W Connection, the “Savonetta Boys” needed an 89th minute winner from Colombian defender Christian Rodriguez at the Ato Boldon Stadium to get by Super League outfit Real Maracas 1-0.

Connection, coming off a hard fought 1-0 Digicel Pro League win over North East Stars less than 24 hours before, utilised a number of non-starters and although creating a number of openings failed to put a shot on target before January signing, 25-year-old Rodriquez, scored his first and very valuable "Savonetta Boys" goal.

It was a deflected strike from distance by the Colombian that left Maracas goalie Kellon Rampersad beaten with a minute of regulation time left at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Connection, FA Trophy winners in 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2013-2014 and seven-time finalists, and Real Maracas had met once before, with the coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier's men defeating the Super League outfit 2-0 in the preliminary round of the 2013 Toyota Classic.

Connection and Defence Force advances into the second round, which will be drawn on Monday 2 February, along with fellow Pro League campaigners Point Fortin Civic, who earned free passage following the pullout of Central FC outfit Harlem Strikers.

Defence Force’s Super League players were also in preliminary round action on Wednesday defeating Cedar Hill United 3-1 at the Edingburgh 500 Recreating Ground in Chaguanas, while Guaya United defeated House of Dread 3-1 at Constantine Ground in Macoya, and Maple FC defeated Siparia Spurs 3-2 on kicks from the penalty mark following a 2-2 draw at Fyzabad Recreation Ground.

For the next round, the advancing teams will join Central FC, North East Stars, Caledonia AIA, Police FC, San Juan Jabloteh and St. Ann's Rangers (TT Pro League); Guaya United, Petrotrin Palo Seco, Club Sando, D’ Lime Bar Goal City, Bethel United, WASA, FC Santa Rosa, Stokelyvale FC and Defence Force (National Super League); Prison FC and SKHY FC (Eastern FA); Biche FC, Rio Claro United and Tamana United (Eastern Counties FU); Cunupia FC and Enterprise Life Sports (Central FA); Maple FC and St. Francois Nationals (Northern FA); Moruga FC and Penal All Stars (Southern FA); and Youth Stars FC, Black Rock FC and Roxborough Lakers (Tobago FA).

FA Trophy 2015 Preliminary Round Results

Wednesday 28 January 2015

Siparia Spurs 2 (Andy London 76’, Jesse Edwards 85’) vs Maple FC 2 (Shaquille Hazel 32’, Matthew Waldron 36’), Fyzabad Recreation Ground
Maple FC won 3-2 on kicks from the penalty mark

House of Dread 1 (Akiel Benjamin 90’) vs Guaya United 3 (Sherlan Campbell 20’, Ryan Stewart 26’, Jody Allsop 66’), Constantine Ground, Macoya

QPCC 1 (Jerome Charles 58’) vs Defence Force (Pro League) 7 (Chad De Freitas 25’ (own goal), Akeem Roach 63’, Richard Roy 68’, 72’, 84’, Josimar Belgrave 80’, 87’), Dibe Recreation Ground, Long Circular

Cedar Hill United 0 vs Defence Force (Super League) 3 (Akiel Morris 10’, Aaron Lester 63’, Keston Williams 88’), Edingburgh 500, Chaguanas

W Connection 1 (Christian Rodriquez 89') vs Real Maracas 0, Ato Boldon Stadium