Weakened Starworld escapes with 3-2 win over Tobago.
By: Randy Bando (ttproleague).[/size]
In a game where end-to-end football was the feature of the match, the southern-based Starworld Strikers made the most of their chances and scored a 3-2 victory over Tobago United—leaving Peter Granville’s team still winless this season.
The game was at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, Tobago and fans attending the game were given a pleasant surprise when coach and 1989 Strike Squad goalkeeper Michael Maurice at 49 years of age took the field in goal for the San Fernando team.
Included in the Tobago United outfit were former national defender Ancil Elcock and Nigerian Olatunji Ouadri.
The game began at a brisk pace and the Peter Granville coached Tobago United could consider themselves unlucky when the referee turned down an appeal for a penalty from a hand ball from a Starworld defender.
However it was Starworld who took the lead shortly after, a quick exchange of passes on the right side of the box resulted in Nigel Hart being sent through, he ran past the Tobago United defence and fired home—Starworld in front 1-0.
Maurice showed he still had the technical goalkeeping skill by saving well from Tobago United striker Noel Williams in the 21st minute. In a game in which no quarter was asked and none was given, the Tobago Pro- team searching for their first win in the competition equalized in the 25th minute from a right side attack.
Darrly James kept his composure to finish in style. Both teams came out with added energy in the 2nd half and again it was Starworld strikers who put their names on the score sheet with a 48th minute strike from Odia Stanley when the Tobago United defence failed to clear their penalty area.
To the credit of Tobago United, they kept on pressing forward but the skillful Starworld frontline was combining well and went further into the lead in the 87th minute of the game. Randolph Jerome converted from a goal mouth scrimmage.
Tobago United refused to ' lie down ' and in the 90th minute defender Ouadri pushed forward into the Starworld penalty area and was brought down. Marvin Phillips converted the resulting penalty, despite attempts by the experienced Michael Maurice to out psyche him.
Although the Tobago United Team lost 2 - 3, the Tobago fans who attended the game were unanimous in their view that the Tobago team has shown improvements in the quality of their play, but need some wins under their belt. Starworld's Mike Maurice and Tobago’s Kwame Wiltshire, Kevin Adams and Mathew Williams were all given yelllow cards.
Starworld’s Dexter Franklyn wants First Citizens Cup for injured Adisa.
By: Randy Bando (ttproleague).[/size]
Starworld Strikers midfielder Dexter ‘Campy’ Franklyn is vowing to bring the First Citizens’ Cup to San Fernando for their injured goalkeeper Adisa Alleyne. The Starworld Strikers keeper suffered a double fractured jaw during the First Citizens’ Cup qualifier against Defence Force, when he threw himself and collided with Defence Force striker Kevon Carter and he had to be rushed to hospital.
Franklyn told ‘TT Pro League Media', "We are going to get this Cup for Adisa, and I am speaking on behalf of the entire team. We will win this Cup and take it to him wherever he is, that’s a promise."
The former Jabloteh man, continued, "This is very unfortunate for Adisa, he was only called up on that day by the coach to play in place of Marvin Phillip. This was his opportunity to maybe return as a full time player and the entire team was saddened by his injury. I didn’t return to my feet for the rest of play even after Adisa was taken off the field. It was only when Errol Charles came to me and said, let’s do this for Adisa, I felt motivated to finish the match—so we are going all out to try and win this cup for Adisa." ended Franklyn.
Team owner Ashmeed Ali told ‘TT Pro League Media’, "Adisa would be out for the next six to eight weeks. There seems to be a problem with his eye socket and they are waiting until the swelling over his eyes goes down to fully diagnose him. We were told by Mt. Hope doctors, that both his left and right sides of the jaw are fractured."
"Adisa would not be able to speak for a while as they would have to tie his jaw back into place. I’m wishing the best for our player." ended Ali. The San Fernando based Starworld Strikers will face B Mobile Joe Public at the Larry Gomes Stadium in the quarter finals of the First Citizens Cup.
