T&TEC registers second League victory with 3-0 win over Rangers

Andrei Pacheco netted the earliest item of the season putting T&TEC in front 1-0 by the fourth minute, with a simple finish into goalkeeper Shane Mattis’ far netting after a bursting behind left-back Elijah Belgrave, while Kerlon Ferguson and substitute Sylvester Teesdale picked up the other items.

The victory kept T&TEC at the top of the standings following two matches with maximum points having defeated DIRECTV North East Stars 2-1 in Match Day One at the Marvin Lee Stadium.

And in the second scheduled League clash of the Super Friday, the match between home side W Connection and Adam’s Construction San Juan Jabloteh was called off after just 11 minutes by referee Michael Ragoonath who deemed conditions dangerous for play because of heavy rainfall.

However the hundreds of spectators who turned up in time for the first match were entertained by home side T&TEC.

The ‘Electric Boys’ playing at home for the first time this season doubled its advantage by the 28th minute after a mix-up by defenders Belgrave and Nicholas Valentine allowed Kerlon Ferguson the opening inside the area and the forward made no mistake burying a low shot past a hapless Mattis for a 2-0 cushion.

And three minutes later, defender Anthony Noriega was denied by the upright after meeting a Kelvin Modeste corner at the Rangers far post.

Goalscorer Pacheco nearly became provider in the 38th minute when he squared a cross-ball back into the path of midfielder Daniel Garcia who was inches wide of the upright with a low effort as T&TEC pressed for more goals.

Rangers then suffered another blow four minutes before the half when referee Rickish Dilipsingh showed defender Valentine a direct red card for upending defender Aubrey David just outside the area to cut out a brilliant attack by the home side.

Ten minutes into the second period Ferguson was inches shy of a second item after a neat exchange between himself and leftback Akeem Adams which was finished off with a low out-swinging effort by the first half goalscorer.

In the 59th minute Kelvin Modeste failed to add to Rangers’ troubles, when he seemed to have fallen asleep with the goal at his mercy after Bevon Bass’ drove a low pass across the six yard area, and on minute later Garcia was set one on one with goalkeeper Mattis only to turn his way into trouble as the Jamaican dispossessed him on the right corner of the six yard area.

Rangers’ coach Anthony Streete then introduced forward Errol McFarlane in the 65th minute, replacing teenager Keon Trim as his side lacked the finishing touch, but four minutes later T&TEC coach Dexter Cyrus added a loaded gun in Sylvester Teesdale.

Teesdale netted T&TEC’s third item after only two minutes on the pitch smashing a shot past Mattis from the right after running onto a left side cross by Bass for the 3-0 score.

Teesdale’s celebration of his third goal this season was delayed with referee Dilipsingh taking a trot over to his assistant to overrule an offside call.

In the end the 10-man Rangers led by inspirational Trent Noel, could only be applauded for its determined effort.

T&TEC 3—0 St. Ann’s Rangers
Andrei Pacheco 4’, Kerlon Ferguson 28’, Sylvester Teesdale 71’

Match Statistics

T&TEC FC v St. Ann’s Rangers
3 Goals 0
4 Attempts on Target 2
5 Attempts Wide 3
9 Offsides 1
1 Corners 4
13 Fouls 6
0 Yellow Cards 2
0 Red Cards 1

Teams

T&TEC FC—Akini Adams, Kern Peters (capt.), Anthony Noriega (Yellow 80), Romauld Aguillera, Daniel Garcia (Sylvester Teesdale 69th), Bevon Bass (Javed Mohammed 76th), Andrei Pacheco, Kerlon Ferguson (Kerron Bennito 82nd), Kelvin Modeste, Aubrey David, Akeem Adams.

Coach—Dexter Cyrus.

St. Ann’s Rangers—Shane Mattis, Trent Noel (capt.), Keon Trim (Errol McFarlane 65th), Elijah Belgrave, Devon Modeste (Yellow 75), Mikhail Awai, Kaashif Thomas (Clevon McFee 84th), Jevon Morris (Yellow 71) (Marvin Springer 77th), Shaquille Nesbitte, Nicholas Valentine (Red 41), Akil Clarke.

Coach—Anthony Streete.