Soca Warriors Online Discussion Forum
Sports => Football => Topic started by: SWF Reporter on September 13, 2013, 08:35:01 PM
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Central FC and Point Fortin Civic make flying Pro League starts
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868)
Central FC kicked off its 2013/14 Digicel Pro League campaign in style tonight as the “Couva Sharks” recovered from a one-goal deficit to stun defending champions Defence Force 3-1 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
There was as much action off the field as on it with over 2,000 spectators in attendance for the Pro League opener. By the second fixture of the double header, it was clear who the majority of the spectators had come to see.
Point Fortin Civic Football Club brought colour, noise and more than a few supporters to the Pro League as the team from deep south marked its return to the top flight with an emphatic 4-1 mauling of Police FC.
New National Security Minister Gary Griffith knows a thing or two about sport as a former domestic hockey player. He should look into his servicemen’s football team.
Defence Force was outgunned on the night but coach Ross Russell would get it right on another day as the army/coast guard unit added to the spectacle with a decent performance. But Police was shambolic.
Barely five players had numbers on their back at the kick off while, as the host team, Police also did not show up with a full complement of ball boys. In short, it was not the sort of order one should expect from the country’s protective services.
Point Fortin gave the lawmen the scant respect that they deserved on the night.
Andre Toussaint, who represented Caledonia AIA in the ongoing 2013 CONCACAF Champions League competition, put Point Fortin ahead after 15 minutes with a close range finish after Matthew Bartholomew kept a deep Marcus Joseph cross alive at the far post.
And Joseph, who represented Trinidad and Tobago in the recent OSN Cup in Saudi Arabia, doubled the lead in the 36th minute as his powerful angled effort took a deflection to embarrass Police custodian Adrian Foncette at his near post.
Bartholomew got the third in the 38th minute as he opened his body to produce a smart left footed finish in the far corner after being sent clear by Toussaint.
Police captain Todd Ryan offered the “Lawmen” a lifeline with a tidy header in the 64th minute off a Akiba Peters free kick. But Bartholomew had the last word in the 85th minute from the penalty spot after referee Larry Lalchan ruled that Police defender Karlon Murray had fouled Point Fortin substitute Sylvester Teesdale.
In the opener at Couva, Defence Force winger Kerry Joseph cut in from the right flank to head an inswinging Kevon Carter cross past Central and “Soca Warriors” custodian Jan-Michael Williams.
Referee Gyasi McDonald could take credit for the first goal of the season as he allowed play to continue after Central wing back Elton John tripped opposing midfielder Samuel Delice, just before Carter’s cross.
The match officials did the fixture justice again in the 27th minute as Defence Force captain and full back Cory Rivers was correctly penalised for handling a John cross. Central captain Jason Marcano coolly converted the resulting penalty kick to bring the Sharks level at 1-1.
But the eventual outcome of the match owed almost as much to McDonald’s generosity in the second half as it did to two brilliant strikes by Central’s teenaged strike force.
In the 53rd minute, Jamal Jack, Central’s pre-season signing from St Ann’s Rangers, went in two-footed on Sean Narcis. Jack got the ball but it was a dangerous tackle and McDonald correctly signalled a foul. The referee could have easily taken firmer action though and Jack had already been booked.
Central made the most of the reprieve in the 67th minute when 19-year-old recruit Dwight Quintero marked his debut with a precise left footed drive into the far corner from 20 yards. It capped a promising outing for the former national under-20 striker who spent the last two seasons in the North East Stars’ reserve team.
Central was again lucky to keep all eleven players on the field in the 75th minute as ex-W Connection defender Akeem Benjamin, who was already cautioned, hauled back Defence Force striker Richard Roy in front of McDonald. Benjamin received a verbal warning rather than a second yellow card.
Five minutes later, Defence Force coach Ross Russell was hopping around in frustration at the touchline as Central defender Keion Goodridge clumsily bundled over Rodell Elcock in the penalty box. McDonald was conspicuous by his silence.
And, in the 81st minute, Rundell Winchester rubbed salt in the army’s wounds with a brilliant insurance item that brought the venue to its feet.
Graham missed a right side Central cross but managed to divert the flight of the ball behind Winchester. Not to be denied, the former Stokely Vale poacher spun around and met the bouncing ball with an overhead kick that flew in off the underside of the bar.
Tomorrow’s Pro League double header at Port of Spain’s Hasely Crawford has a lot to live up to.
(Teams)
Defence Force (4-2-3-1): 1.Kevin Graham (GK); 4.Marvin Jones, 5.Devin Jordan, 20.Rodell Elcock, 14.Cory Rivers (captain); 18.Sean Narcis, 32.Samuel Delice (8.Curtis Gonzales 54); 16.Kerry Joseph (29.Jemel Sebro 71), 17.Ross Russell Jr, 11.Kevon Carter; 9.Richard Roy.
Unused substitutes: 25.Sheldon Clarke (GK), 12.Josimar Belgrave, 81.Adrian Welch, 34.Levi Serries.
Coach: Ross Russell
Central FC (3-5-2): 21.Jan-Michael Williams (GK); 12.Jamal Jack, 24.Akeem Benjamin, 3.Keion Goodridge; 2.Elton John, 7.Jason Marcano (captain), 10.Marvin Oliver (6.Toric Robinson 74), 13.Johan Peltier, 11.Darren Mitchell; 9.Dwight Quintero (22.Keon Trim 87), 17.Rundell Winchester (23.Hector Sam 90).
Unused substitutes: 25.Javon Sample (GK); 4.Omar Charles, 8.Shem Alexander, 15.Kaydion Gabriel.
Coach: Terry Fenwick
Referee: Gyasi McDonald.
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Growth in crowds? Nice. Keep it up. Looks like PFCC means business. Central too.
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2000is damn good crowd
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FS, is Lasana indicating that the Ref. ease (read' tief for") we up ? Wha u think ?
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If I'm not mistaking, all 3 goal-scorers (Bartholomew, Toussaint and Joseph) for Point Fortin Civic FC were born in Point?
Also, I think these clubs should hand-out supporters shirts (one color) to the fans so they would look uniform and can be identified and make known the team they are supporting.
(http://wired868.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/pro-league-crowd.jpg)
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Trinis does spend they money on relll chupidness...What is 50 dollars to go see a football match? That is more than affordable. Last time I caught a double header for 40 dollars. We should show more support to the things that matter.
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When will we get a Arima team ???
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Point Fortin supporters were asked to wear either red or yellow, sadly if Point wasn't playing I don't think there would be anyone there, hopefully this isn't going be the case going forward. Entry was 30 dollars, so not a bad deal at all. The pro league may want to ensure that the media is out in full force in Mahica Oval...it would be a good opportunity to capture an atmosphere that could be marketed.
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Recent improve performances by the senior national team can encourage more fans to come and support local football!
Hope TTFF and the ministry for sports give coach Hart the support he needs to continue to revive football!
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Point Fortin supporters were asked to wear either red or yellow, sadly if Point wasn't playing I don't think there would be anyone there, hopefully this isn't going be the case going forward. Entry was 30 dollars, so not a bad deal at all. The pro league may want to ensure that the media is out in full force in Mahica Oval...it would be a good opportunity to capture an atmosphere that could be marketed.
When will we get a Arima team ???
Good question? Better suggestion!
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I made the time to go to a couple games last season. Hopefully I'll have more time this season to go matches again. The quality of the football is decent and for $20 to $30 it is pretty good value. I think marketing for the games can be improved though and unless it's been fixed the website doesn't give all the info.
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Civic Centre make a noise.
By Ian Prescott (Express).
It was a noisy, successful start to Digicel Pro League life for Point Fortin Football Club (Formerly Point Fortin Civic Centre). They won 4-1 over Police at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on Friday night, drew a crowd, and played some good football as well. Their future is hopeful.
Civic Centre brought out their artillery, and their people seem to follow as well. Andre Toussaint and Mathew Bartholomew, once starters at W Connection, both netted. So too did Marcus Joseph, formerly of Joe Public, who recently visited Saudi Arabia with the Trinidad and Tobago national senior team. Add former T&TEC striker Sylvester Teesdale, and in short time Civic Centre have organised a very competitive team.
“All these players are from Point. These guys come from the different villages,” Civic Centre manager Ken McCrea said. “They always wanted to come back to play and have been in our programme at some time or the other.”
It couldn’t have been a better start for Civic Centre.
Toussaint, who was with Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA last season, opened the scoring in the 16th minute, finishing from close up after Bartholomew re-directed Joseph’s cross his way. Joseph then made it 2-0 in the 36th when his powerful shot deflected inside Police keeper Adrian Foncette’s near post. And two minutes later, Bartholomew curled the ball inside the far post, for the first of his two goals on the night. The rhythm section blared and fans were dancing.
“All these people last night were Point people. That is what we can bring to the Pro League,” McCrea declared. “We can bring out our people. Point people have been starved of football. They want rhythm sections, they want flag, they want entertainment.”
It couldn’t have been a better start for Point.
The second half saw the teams better matched. Police pulled a goal back in the 63rd minute when Todd Ryan headed in a free kick to take the score to 3-1. But Bartholomew finished off the lawmen in the 84th when successfully converting a penalty. Referee Larry Lalchan immediately pointed to the penalty spot after Teesdale was fouled by Police defender Karlon Murray, and Bartholomew did the rest.
McCrea felt that his team played a good, technical first half, and believes that they will improve as the season continues, under the guidance of coach Reynold Carrington, a former national team midfielder who did his coaching apprenticeship at three-time Pro champions W Connection.
The start has been good, and Point people seem to like what they see. Civic Centre are now hoping the business community also buys into what they are trying to create.
That Civic Centre are in the Pro League is a brave venture in itself. They do not have major finances, and are a community team. Steve David owns World Wide Safety, and is putting his money where his mouth is. His company’s logo is on their jerseys. Civic Centre have also taken a unique approach to professional football. They do not have the finances to directly contract players, so they have partnered with local contractors to provide employment for some.
“We have gotten support from some of the smaller contractors in the area (in providing work for players),” McCrea said. “The Point Fortin Mayor has also committed to hiring seven players, and they will work with the borough. We have also approached Petrotrin, as the biggest company in the area, to try and start an apprenticeship programme.”
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Congratulations to my hometown team CIVIC on their victory over Police
(aways food for we) we're bbaaaccckkk!!! watchout suckers...
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If I'm not mistaking, all 3 goal-scorers (Bartholomew, Toussaint and Joseph) for Point Fortin Civic FC were born in Point?
Yup and the majority of players on the roster as well.
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Congratulations to my hometown team CIVIC on their victory over Police
(aways food for we) we're bbaaaccckkk!!! watchout suckers...
lol :beermug:
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Congratulations to my hometown team CIVIC on their victory over Police
(aways food for we) we're bbaaaccckkk!!! watchout suckers...
Not so fast Mahaica man. The season now start. I am surprised the TTPS can't attract some better players. Maybe nobody like anything associated with Babylon.
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Question is, who is Babylonians and what is everybody else ?
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Ah glad to see Point back in the fray.
They are one of the old Firm teams from way back and it's good to see the legacy continue.
Wouldn't mind seeing a Memphis (Arima), Barataria Ball Players try a ting.
Ah give up on Malvern and Maple making a true comeback.
VB
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Ah glad to see Point back in the fray.
They are one of the old Firm teams from way back and it's good to see the legacy continue.
Wouldn't mind seeing a Memphis (Arima), Barataria Ball Players try a ting.
Ah give up on Malvern and Maple making a true comeback.
VB
I believe de term "old firm" only refers to Rangers and Celtic in de Scottish Premier League. Of course with Rangers penalty and demotion, old firm matches are only now possible in cup matches
Ah know Civic Centre was a team from way back in de day, but not sure if they were around when Deleon, David etc played. Ah believe plenty of dem Benedicts players from back in de day were from Point.
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Ah know Civic Centre was a team from way back in de day, but not sure if they were around when Deleon, David etc played. Ah believe plenty of dem Benedicts players from back in de day were from Point.
Civic Center used to be Shell. When Shell left TT in the late 60s, they handed over Mahaica to the Civic Center people. I think some of them played for Shell and then Civic. I think Deleon, Archie, Brewster, Bede Wells, Douglas bros, Hacket, Cave played for both. I also remembered St. Benedicts had an old boys team St. BOB. They used to play in the senior div. of the SFL. I think(correct me) all the Benedicts guys played one year for St. Bob before moving on to which ever team they wanted.
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Looking back at the old days, the SFL was a quasi pro league. Most of the the teams were factory teams and a lot of players from all over TT moved south to find employment and play football. all the teams had there own grounds and the fields were very, very good.
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Ah glad to see Point back in the fray.
They are one of the old Firm teams from way back and it's good to see the legacy continue.
Wouldn't mind seeing a Memphis (Arima), Barataria Ball Players try a ting.
Ah give up on Malvern and Maple making a true comeback.
VB
Point get plenty lix from we in de mang (La Brea angels too), at Mahaica was a different story ;D
If BBP complete a come back that would be nice, not sure how many ballers coming out of the area today, but we certainly had good representation back in de day....
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Ah glad to see Point back in the fray.
They are one of the old Firm teams from way back and it's good to see the legacy continue.
Wouldn't mind seeing a Memphis (Arima), Barataria Ball Players try a ting.
Ah give up on Malvern and Maple making a true comeback.
VB
Point get plenty lix from we in de mang (La Brea angels too), at Mahaica was a different story ;D
If BBP complete a come back that would be nice, not sure how many ballers coming out of the area today, but we certainly had good representation back in de day....
I remember around 84 in some kind of final, I think FA Cup, they bounce up ASL.
I thought ASL woulda manners dem. But BBP give dem a good run before losing.
Alibey was from there. Can't remember if he made the move to ASL before or after that game.
VB
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Is there a clip of winchesters goal ?
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Point Fortin vs Police Tuesday night 10pm tt time log on to
http://www.acts25tt.com/Watch-tv.html OR http://www.ustream.tv/channel/real-love
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I heard that Point not in a position to pay their players so they got small contractors to hire some of the players, wha will happen if these contractors dont get work how will they continue to keep them and how can pro ballers work and then go to train.
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Steve David is an next typical ole man mentality.
He refuse to work with anyone and I heard that the Point players under pressure because money not consistent.
How can the league allow this, didn't Point had to show they could support a team for 2 years before being approve to join de league?
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Ken is a manager in Petrotrin and I'm sure he will work hard to get the contractors to support the team.
Did you guys know Ken McCrae played for Trinidad ?
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Point Fortin vs Police Tuesday night 10pm tt time log on to
http://www.acts25tt.com/Watch-tv.html OR http://www.ustream.tv/channel/real-love
Flex is this a replay or return fixture?
Why so late?
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Yes, replay.
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Steve Davis is an next typical ole man mentality.
He refuse to work with anyone and I heard that the Point players under pressure because money not consistent.
How can the league allow this, didn't Point had to show they could support a team for 2 years before being approve to join de league?
de league has no common vision. Connection doing their own ting ,Caledonia and Point etc. The board of directors which consist of each club representative is a joke.
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Steve Davis is an next typical ole man mentality.
He refuse to work with anyone and I heard that the Point players under pressure because money not consistent.
How can the league allow this, didn't Point had to show they could support a team for 2 years before being approve to join de league?
de league has no common vision. Connection doing their own ting ,Caledonia and Point etc. The board of directors which consist of each club representative is a joke.
Actually, it's a democratic representation. The fact that some owners have different visions than you or I is irrelevant. Now there are nine members, the "old school" who have been making decisions for a while may see their power diluted. However, it remains to be seen if Jabloteh or Point Fortin have a vision to make changes or just go along with the status quo.
I think the fact that they voted to increase prize money to $1 million is a good sign.
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I would love to see joe public,arima ,Tobago,petrotrin (palo),club Sando in de pro league
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I would love to see joe public,arima ,Tobago,petrotrin (palo),club Sando in de pro league
Not happening soon!!!!
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http://www.youtube.com/v/B5QgD9gOY1A
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nice
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Carrington seems to be a better tactician than Shabazz...by far..
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Not Steve Davis...Steve David...a great man..
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now we are two and zero. we winning this cup. :beermug: :beermug:
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Carrington seems to be a better tactician than Shabazz...by far..
How did you come to that conclusion?what has Carrington done to prove that?what's his track record as a coach/tactician? what's beating me is you said by far>