Tobago United still trying to get things right.
By: DR (Soca Warriors Online).
Another second half surrender gave the spoils to Joe Public, who ran out 3-0 winners. The opening stanza was even as a small section of the spectators got behind the home team registering their support. It was not until the 12th minute, that the first chance was created by Joe Public. McPherson finished off his run down the left flank with a low cross at the six yard box and it was Pierre beating his marker to the spot only to steer his shot to the wrong side of the near post. In the 24th minute, the roars went up as Woodley went down in the box under the challenge of Thomas, but the referee waved play on. Pierre had another opportunity when he controlled Springer's right side cross well on his chest and he volleyed straight at the keeper from 12 yards out. Just past the half hour mark, Hercules eluded two defenders, cutting in from the right, but beat the near post. Immediately following the restart, Glasgow and Pierre breached the Tobago United's defence with only James to beat, however Glasgow stumbled and was dispossessed inside United's penalty area. Public were now in the ascendancy. McKinnon, Pierre and Dwarika combined well to release Dwarika who shot weakly from only 10 yards out. Later a Dwarika's free kick was headed to Glasgow's feet by Pierre inside the 6 yard box, but the keeper sniffed out the danger, diving bravely to his feet before he could get his shot off. The whistle sounded to end the half 0-0.
Tobago United had done enough to stay in the game, while Joe Public had no rewards from the chances that came their way. One of the Nigerian players, Aminu Erinle walked by so I inquired of his status with the team. His brief response was that he no longer plays for Tobago United, and doesn't have any interest in playing in the country anymore (more in another story).
Play resumed after a 25 minute half-time break. Joe Public started brighter than their opponents, and were soon rewarded. Following a Tobago United goal kick, Noreiga's headed his clearance behind United's defence for Glasgow to run onto, beating the keeper low to his left. A few minutes later, Dwarika picked up the ball on the left side midway in United's half of the field. He cut back inside, beaten McKenna who held him back and was cautioned. From the resulting free kick, Dwarika rolled the ball to his right for Saunders to run onto, sending a screamer into the left upper 90. This brought the crowd to its feet. The only bright spot for United in a very poor second half effort came when substitute Palmer found some space just outside the box and was only denied by the brilliance of Figueroa. Public continued their second half onslaught when Glasgow struck the upright with a swerving near post effort from a short corner. Thornhill put the final nail in the coffin when he broke free on the right side and beat the keeper at the near post. The final score was 3-0 in Joe Public's favour.
The new-look United team still appeared short on conditioning, and their second half lapses in concentration were punished severely.
Tobago United: - Durrant, Dublin, James, Adams, M. Phillips, Orr, K. Phillips (Palmer 65), McKenna (P. Joseph 82), T. Joseph, Hercules, Woodley (Thomas 72)
Subs Not Used: - Baird,Wiebers, Legall, Smith, W. Phillips.
Yellow cards: - Orr 16, McKenna 53.
Goals: None.
Joe Public: - Figueroa, Springer, Thomas, Noreiga, McPherson, Andrews, Saunders, McKinnon, Dwarika (Cooper 82), Glasgow, Pierre (Thornhill 74).
Subs Not Used: - Barrett, McAllister, Caseman, Harris, Baptiste.
Yellow cards: -Springer 38.
Goals: -Glasgow 50, Saunders 54, Thornhill 89.
Att: - 250.
Caledonia overthrow Defence Force.
By: Ian Prescott (Express).
Marvin Oliver came up with another spectacular late goal to give Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA a thrilling come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Defence Force yesterday in the T&T Pro League.
The 31-year-old Oliver had done the same thing to defending champions b-mobile Joe Public on Tuesday, to put Caledonia jointly into the lead with both the "Eastern Lions" and CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh going into yesterday's round of matches.
The match at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar swung dramatically in the second half after the Defence Force had taken a deserved 2-1 lead going into the break.
Caledonia got off to a dream start, grabbing the lead through striker Dwight Peters in just the third minute. He picked up the ball near the halfline and finished off a brilliant solo run with a low shot past Army keeper Selwyn George.
But by the end of the first half, Defence Force had completely repaired the damage and earned themselves a 2-1 advantage. First, striker Bevon Lewis drew them level in the sixth minute, then striker Devon Jorsling put the Army ahead in the 41st, with a spectacular shot from 35 metres.
Kerwyn Beckles, Caledonia's young goalie acquired from Vibe CT 105 W Connection, never moved as Jorsling's shot rushed into the corner of the net.
Beckles was also motionless six minutes earlier, when Army midfielder Ronald Boyce tried his luck from 35 metres out and struck the right upright.
Coach Jamaal Shabazz waited 62 minutes before making a double change, bringing on national midfielder Densill Theobald and striker Jameel Perry.
Theobald's introduction immediately put some energy into Caledonia's game, as he was able to combine well with Oliver, who was doing almost everything in midfield well.
That left George having to make several unorthodox saves, tipping the ball off the head of Oliver on one occasion and later diving into a crowd of players to stop an attempt from Theobald.
With the pressure on the Defence Force goal, Caledonia left themselves open at the back for a counter attack, which allowed Richard Roy to race into their penalty area, only to fire directly at Beckles.
The miss was extremely costly. AIA pulled themselves level in the 78th through Perry, who drilled into the Army's net from just 18 metres out. The Defence Force were under total seige in the final ten minutes, but looked to have held on for a 2-2 draw until deep into injury time when Oliver chested down a cross in the penalty area and spanked the ball past George from just six yards out, sparking a wave of celebrations from the AIA supporters.
W Connection were also in winning form yesterday, as Ronaldo Viana notched a brace to give his team a 3-1 victory over Police at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella.
Defence Force: - Selwyn George, Anton Pierre (capt), Jahvon Neptune, Rawle Fletcher, Michael Edwards, Akil Edwards (Richard Roy 37th), Anton Joseph (Ronald St Louis 56th), Christopher Durity (Keston Williams 68th), Ronald Boyce, Devon Jorsling, Bevon Lewis.
Caledonia AIA: - Kerwin Beckles, Leslie Holligan, Charles Pollard, Sheldon Emmanuel (capt), Walter Moore, Stephan David, Marvin Oliver, Kareem Joseph, Devon Millington (Jameel Perry 63rd), Dwight Peters (Densill Theobald 63rd), Hayden Tinto (Carlyle Mitchell 78th).
Full Results
Caledonia AIA 3 (Dwight Peters 3, Jameel Perry 79, Marvin Oliver 90) v Defence Force 2 (Bevon Lewis 6, Devon Jorsling 40)
San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Lester Peltier 15, 18) v United Petrotrin 2 (Sylvester Teesdale 23, Devon Drayton 35)
Tobago United 0 v Joe Public 3 (Gary Glasgow 50, Dale Saunders 54, Dexter Thornhill 89)
W Connection 3 (Gefferson Goulart 51, Ronaldo Viana 72, 79) v Police F.C 1 (Christopher Sam 80)
Today Game
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