North East Stars picked up a confidence booster ahead of Friday’s Toyota Classic Final against Defence Force by defeating DIRECTV W Connection with late goals for a 2-1 comeback win in the FA Trophy First Round.
But while Head Coach Angus Eve admits it’s indeed a confidence booster, he remains wary of Friday’s opponents Defence Force.
“Yes [the win against Connection] gives us a bit of confidence going into [Friday’s Toyota Classic Final],” said the North East Stars head coach. “…but Defence Force is the team in form.
“They have a healthy goal-scoring record and haven’t conceded a goal in the tournament. We are the underdogs in this Final and that’s good. People aren’t expecting much from us.”
On Wednesday Shahdon Winchester’s 55th minute item wasn’t enough for Connection to avoid exit in the First Round of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation run FA Trophy.
Late goals by Stars’ Kaydion Gabriel in the 83rd minute and a penalty strike by Elijah Manners in the 86th minute secured the Eve-coached club a place in the FA Trophy Round of 32.
“The game was really good,” said Eve over the win against Connection at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
“I gave all the young players Neil Mitchell, Shane Hospedales, goalkeeper Adrian Foncette, Urban Joseph the time to shine among others like Akeil Guevara and Gary Glasgow who doesn’t have full match fitness and we played against a very good W Connection team, so it’s a victory for the club.
It clearly shows that we are on the right track in terms of developing our players and that’s sticking to part of our mandate at North East Stars,” ended the North East Stars coach.
FA Trophy First Round Results
Point Fortin Civic Centre 7—2 WASA FC
Marcus Joseph 19, 29, 68, Andre Alexis 21’, 42, Dwight Cave 70’, 90’ ; Glen Walker 66’, Kerry Noray 85’
Carapichaima East Secondary 1—2 Marabella Family Crisis Centre
Shaquille Holder 31’ ; Shane Jordan 4’, Stephan Campbell 85’
La Horquetta S.A. 3—1 Police FC (NFA)
Kerry Rominson 3’ Omeaku Barbour 52’, Anslem Jackson 90’ ; Dwight Elliot 10’
W Connection vs North East Stars—6pm
Shahdon Winchester 55’ ; Kaydion Gabriel 83’, Elijah Manners 86’ (pen)
2012 Toyota Classic Final
Friday 7 December
Toyota Staff vs TT Pro League Coaches—6pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium
North East Stars vs Defence Force—8pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium