Caledonia survive Tobago scare.
By: Lasana Liburd (Express).
...Pressure on Jabloteh for Pro League honours.
Two goals in as many minutes pushed Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA to pole position in the 2007 Pro League yesterday afternoon as they edged Tobago United 2-1 at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.
CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh, who trailed the "Eastern Stallions" by one point before kick off against Police late yesterday evening, might have reclaimed their lead after press time. But the Caledonia coaching duo of Jamaal Shabazz and Jerry Moe would settle for a positive result after an off-colour performance from their charges.
Playmaker Marvin Oliver was out through injury while central defender Charles Pollard was suspended but it was little excuse for a limp display by a Caledonia team that still included the likes of versatile attacker Conrad Smith, busy winger Hayden Tinto and in-form striker Anthony Abrams.
It took the late intervention of striker Carlyle Mitchell to rescue the east Trinidad squad as he tapped home the equaliser and then won a penalty to see off Tobago.
The lone outfit from the "Sister Isle" looked capable of an upset for long stretches of the match but were left cold once Caledonia moved up a gear in the final ten minutes.
Caledonia enjoyed more possession throughout but lacked a cutting edge upfront and, arguably, focus in the back as well. Collie Hercules rounded Caledonia goalkeeper and Guyanese compatriot Richard Reynolds for the opener in the 18th minute and could have killed off the match, an hour later, but steered a snap header against the outside of the near upright.
Tobago defender Jamal Jack should have made better use of an inswinging Marvin Phillips free kick too in the 32nd minute as the visitors looked the more purposeful of the two teams.
National youth defender Radanfah Abu Bakr flicked just wide of the far post following a Sheldon Emmanuel corner kick in the 29th minute and Smith spurned a good chance after the break but there was little else to worry Tobago custodian Andrew Durant as an Oliver-less Caledonia lacked authority in the final third.
The die seemed cast as a crisp Hercules header whizzed goalward in the 78th minute after good approach work from Nyron Orr on the left flank. Who could tell that the veteran striker's miss would prove so costly?
Within seconds, Mitchell, who replaced Kareem Joseph 10 minutes earlier, had pulled Caledonia level after placing a shot-cum-cross from Abu Bakr into an unguarded net. And there was barely time for Tobago to contemplate their misfortune before they found themselves behind after another opportunistic intervention from Mitchell.
This time, it was fellow substitute Dwight Peters who shot to goal and Durant tripped Mitchell as the young striker pounced on the rebound inside the six-yard box.
Emmanuel tricked Durant from the penalty spot to put Caledonia ahead for the first time in the 81st minute.
Caledonia might even have managed a third as a savage Peters drive thundered off the bar in the 87th minute but Shabazz would be happy enough with three points. The result, if not the performance, would keep the pressure on Jabloteh for Pro League honours.
Caledonia AIA: – Richard Reynolds, Howard Lowe, Dexter Franklyn, Sheldon Emmanuel (capt), Radanfah Abu Bakr, Stephan David, Kareem Joseph, Walter Moore, Hayden Tinto, Conrad Smith, Anthony Abrams.
Subs Played: – Abdullah Phillip, Dwight Peters, Carlyne Mitchell.
Tobago United: – Andrew Durant, Warren Phillips (capt), George Dublin, Jamal Jack, Tichard Joseph, Joel Harry, Marvin Phillips, Pierre Joseph, Collie Hercules, Nyron Orr, Garvin McKenna.
Subs Played: – Kayode Legall, Julio Fernandez.
