TOBAGO Women's Football Club won the first major clash of the Trinidad & Tobago Women's League Football (WOLF) Premier Division when they edged Real Dimension 2-1 at St George's College ground, Barataria on Saturday.
The clash matched 2009 champions Tobago, against 2010 champions Real Dimension. There was no WOLF competition in 2011.
After being disbanded two season ago, the Tobago team reformed this season and they came ready for battle. Having played with San Juan Jabloteh in the Lucky Bakery Super League last season, striker Kennya "Ya Ya" Cordner is one of several players who have returned to the Tobago team.
And it was national striker Cordner who put Tobago into a 1-0 lead with a solo run which saw her carve a path through the Real Dimension defence before putting the ball past T&T national youth keeper Keri Myers.
Real Dimension battled back and the action flowed back and forth. T&T senior national midfielders Janine Francois and Dernelle Mascall, both penetrated and tried to pull Real Dimension level but were stopped each time by senior national starting keeper Kimika Forbes in the Tobago goal.
But there was no stopping Cordner in the 26th minute when she hit a blistering shot past Myers from the top of the penalty area to give Tobago a 2-0 advantage.
The Tobago striker force of forward Candace Edwards and Cordner was even more menacing in the second half and went close several times.
The last 15 minutes saw Real Dimension having the momentum, but they mainly failed to capitalise on opportunities. Real Dimension had some positive attacks from national footballers Afiyah Matthias and Natasha St Louis, but did not break through until the 85th minute.
Then, Mascall won the ball when she put some pressure on Tobago defender Sharice Arthur, and slipped the ball to T&T senior right back Rhea Belgrave, who tapped it past Tobago goalie Forbes. But despite further pressure, Real Dimension could not draw level.
WOMEN'S LEAGUE FOOTBALL RESULTS:
Premier Division:
Tobago Women Football Club 2 v Real Dimension 1
Malick City 4 v UWI 1
Trincity Nationals 7 v Defence Force 2.
First Division:
Step by Step 15 (Jo Marie Lewis 5, Ahkeela Mollon 4, Chelsea Ralph 2, Tamar Watson, Jemilia Mathlin, Jahmila Murphy) v Queen's Park Football Club 0
Tobago All Stars v St Ann's Rangers 2 (Akeisha Delarosa, Annalisa Cummings)
M.O.S. Schoolaz 1 (Khadisha Hughes) v St Mary's Central United 0
Sweaters Touring Team 2 v Arima Giants 1
UPCOMING WOMEN'S LEAGUE FOOTBALL MATCHES:
(PREMIER DIVISION)
(Today)
Trincity Nationals vs Real Dimension F.C. Hasely Crawford Stadium, 6.00 p.m.
(Saturday)
Defence Force F.C. vs Malick City F.C., 3pm St Georges Ground, Barataria
UWI vs Tobago WFC, 5 pm St Georges College Ground, Barataria
(FIRST DIVISION)
(Saturday)
St Ann's Rangers vs Step by Step F.C., 4 p.m. Trinity College, Moka.
Malabar Superstars F.C. vs Sweaters Touring Team 4 pm Larry Gomes Stadium
Point Fortin Pioneers vs MOS Schoolaz, 4 pm Techier Recreation Ground
(Sunday)
Tobago All Stars vs Queen Park F.C., 4 pm Plymouth Recreation Ground
St Augustine S.C. vs Tunapuna Titans, 4 pm St Augustine School Ground
Debe All Stars vs St Mary's Central Utd, 4 pm Caripichiama Secondary School Ground.