Jamal Gay returned to the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya to net a 90th minute winner as the Trinidad and Tobago Under-20 football team whipped St Francois Nationals 2-0 in the first round of the bmobile National Super League knockout competition yesterday.
The lanky striker, less than 24 hours earlier, scored Joe Public’s second goal as the Pro League outfit edged New England Revolution 2-1 in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League preliminary-round series. Midfielder Marcus Joseph broke the deadlock for the TT Under-20s in the 75th while Gay sealed the deal in stoppage time.
Defending champs Harlem Strikers, who are yet to hit full stride this season, eliminated hosts Economy Strikers 2-1 at the Sangre Grande Rec-reation Ground.
Harlem went in front courtesy a 44th minute own goal before Kendel Nathaniel replied in the 70th. The 2007 title-winners regained the lead for good when Brent Antoine found the back of the net with five minutes remaining, and they will now meet last year’s runners-up Joe Public in the quarter-final round on September 3.
And M&M Harvard moved on to the quarter-final stage after edging hosts Crab Connection 2-1 at the San Juan Secondary Comprehensive Ground. Malik Gargo put Harvard ahead in the 23rd but the “Crabs” equalised courtesy veteran striker Marlon Warner 11 minutes later.
Another long-standing striker, Christon Freitas, notched the winner for Harvard in the 71st, as they will now meet WASA in the last eight.
In the other Round One fixtures, Angostura 1976 FC Phoenix host the winless University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) at Canaan, Bon Accord today while, on Monday, Defence Force welcome Club Sando to the Army base in Chaguaramas. Both Round One matches are due to start at 4 pm.
Harlem edges Economy in Strikers battle
T&T Guardian
Harlem Strikers has made a successful start to its defence of the knockout title in the bMobile National Super Football League. The Central unit had to depend on an 85th minute goal from Brent Antoine to get past Economy Strikers 2-1 on Wednesday on the Sangre Grande Recreation ground.
Harlem Strikers led 1-0 at half time through an own goal in the 44th minute and Economy Strikers equalised in the 70th with a goal from Kendell Nathaniel.
Young national striker, Jamal Gay notched a last minute goal for the National Under-20’s to earn a 2-0 win over St Francois Nationals at the Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya.
St Francois Nationals held the Under-20’s at bay up until the 75th minute when Marcus Joseph broke the deadlock.
The goal by Gay in the 90th minute was his second in successive matches as he also scored at the same venue the day before the help Joe Public to beat American team, New England Revolution 2-1 in the first leg of the inaugural Concacaf Champions League.
M&M Harvard also advanced to the second round with a late goal against Crab Connection to come away a 2-1 winner on the San Juan Secondary ground in Bourg Mulatresse.
Malik Gargo opened the scoring for Harvard in the 23rd minute and Marlon Warner levelled the score for “Crab” in the 34th.
Harvard’s top goalscorer, Christon Freitas kept his team’s chances alive in the competition by scoring the match-winner in the 75th minute. Harvard will now meet defending league champion, WASA in its next match on Wednesday at St Joseph.
Also on Wednesday, Harlem Strikers play Joe Public at Marvin Lee Stadium and Alcoa Carenage United meet the winner of the Defence Force-Club Sando match scheduled for Monday.
Wednesday’s first round results
NATIONAL U-20 2 (Marcus Joseph 75th; Jamal Gay 90th) v ST FRANCOIS NATIONALS 0.
ECONOMY STRIKERS 1 (Kendell Nathaniel 70th) v HARLEM STRIKERS 2 (own goal 44th; Brent Antoine 85th).
CRAB CONNECTION 1 (Marlon Warner 34th) v M&M HARVARD 2 (Malik Gargo 23rd; Christon Freitas 71st).
First round match:
Monday Defence Force v Club Sando, Chaguaramas, 4 pm.
Second round matches:
Wednesday Joe Public v Harlem Strikers, Marvin Lee Stadium, 4 pm; WASA v Harvard, WASA, St Joseph, 4 pm; Alcoa Carenage v v Defence Force/Club Sando, TBA, 4 pm.