Phillip sends Starworld through to quarterfinal.
By: Randy Bando Reports.
Substitute goal-keeper Marvin Phillip saved a penalty, then stepped up and converted his spot kick to give Starworld Strikers an 8 – 7 victory on penalties over Defence Force after the two teams battled to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday in the 2nd game of a double header, of the First Citizens Cup playoff at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.
Defence Force had it all in the early stages of the match with most of the ball possession and had the bulk of the possession in midfield. Captain Anton Pierre moving to a central role in the middle of the park for his team.
The Army men got what they worked for in the 11th minute when an unmarked Akil Pierre had no problems shooting past Starworld keeper Adisa Alleyne after beating the offside trap.
However, Starworld then showed ‘Army’ how much they too was after the quarterfinal spot with Captain Marc Borde, Dexter Franklyn, Jason Charles, Andre Charles and Nigel Hart working well together and taking control of the midfield, as they began to create chances galore, giving Defence Force coach Anthony Barrington a headache on the bench.
Starworld got their just reward and equalized in the 26th minute when Errol Charles sprung high into the air to powerfully headed in Linsie Sherwood’s well placed corner to beat full stretched Defence Force keeper Cleon John.
Kevon Carter’s 32nd minute close range effort was close to putting the ‘Tetron Men’ back in lead, but he was denied by a cool standing Alleyne in the Starworld goal.
Starworld continued to excite the crowd with fancy flicks and tricks in their attacks. They were playing their hearts out as they shut out everything Defence Force had up their sleeves.
In the 39th minute, Defence Force had a scare when they allowed Starworld’s Marc Borde to have a left footed blast in the penalty area. Keeper Cleon John was up to the task as he pushed the shot into open play.
Both teams took to their dressing rooms on even terms 1-1 knowing that they’ll have to push the effort into the second half.
Starworld continued to enjoy the better of the exchanges and had two missed chances by Nigel Hart in the 71st and 77th minutes. The second shot being a sitter from a Jason Charles chipped ball, saw him miss kick into the arms of keeper Cleon John.
A tragic clash and heroic save to deny Defence Force’s Kevon Carter a shot in the 80th minute saw Starworld keeper Adisa Alleyne taken off the field unconscious by ambulance, and had to be rushed to hospital. Marvin Phillip was brought into action for a few minutes before the referee blew the final whistle and signaled to the penalty spot.
Keepers Marvin Phillip and Cleon John had to stand between the uprights for nine spot kicks each. The Starworld keeper Phillip looked better with the gloves, having two saves and stepping up to score the winning goal. Starworld Strikers would now meet Joe Public on the 15th September in the quarterfinals of the First Citizens Cup.
Teams-
Starworld Strikers—
Adisa Alleyne (Marvin Phillip), Jamal Ayres (Derron Matthews), Marc Borde, Andre Charles, Jason Charles, Dexter Franklyn, Ghymo Harper, Nigel Hart, Lindsie Sherwood, Marlon Stoute.
Defence Force—
Cleon John, Anton Pierre, Kenrick Saunders, Kelshall Alexander, Kevon Carter, Anton Joseph, Ronald St.Louis, Sean Narcis, Christian Baptiste (Jerwyn Balthazar), Akil Pierre (Akudu Goodridge).
