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« on: June 26, 2007, 05:20:27 PM »
Hector & Frias combine as new look Connection sink Oilmen.
By: James Saunders (ttproleague).[/size]
Minus most of their regular stars W Connection never looked starved for fuel as they romped past United Petrotrin 2-0 at the Palo Seco Velodrome on Tuesday evening as action in the TT Pro League resumed after a month long break.
Debutant Johnathan Frias and Hughton Hector showed great chemistry as they combined well on both occasions to get the goods for the Savonetta Boys.
Petrotrin on the other hand were dealt a further physiological blow following their weekend loss to minnows Tobago United as they failed to capitalize on Connections’ handicap.
In an ironic twist of fate it was the home team Petrotrin who set the opening pace when as early as the 2nd minute Jerol Forbes headed into the arms of Brazilian keeper Joao Mansano who was playing in his first game for the club due to the absence of regular custodian Jan Michael Williams who is off on a trial in Hungary.
The visitors would have to wait until the 17th minute to get their first chance when national striker Andre Toussaint pounced on a loose ball on top of the area after a series of scrappy clearances by the Petrotrin defence, the attackers shot however lacked enough power to beat Perry Martin in goal.
W Connection would have another shy at goal moments later when sensational Santo Domingo debutant Frias chased a ball wide on the right of the area before sweetly cutting back and unleashing a sharp bender at goal.
An alert Martin was however once again equal to the task leaping acrobatically to his right to hang unto the effort.
The ‘Oilmen’ refused to surrender their game to the ‘Savonnetta boys’ who were without the likes of Earl Jean, Ronaldo Viana, Gefferson Goulart, Jose Luis Seabra and Jan Michael to name a few of their stars.
Peter Prosper who also lined up for Petrotrin for the first time this season was unlucky not to have put his side ahead in the 27th minute when he collected superbly on his chest inside the
Connection area from an excellent Husani Thomas diagonal ball from the left.
The bulky striker was unfortunate however to see his power volley fly just wide of the uprights.
With no team really controlling possession Frias who looked menacing whole half picked up the ball just inside the Petrotrin half and wiggled his way straight into their penalty area.
His fine solo run was unfortunately foiled by the defiant fist of Martin who did well to keep out the striker’s scooped attempt.
Martin’s brilliance could not deny the persistent Santo Domingo native in the 37th minute however as he rose majestically to meet a deep Hector centre from the right and head home off the post to open Connections account and hold the score at 1-0 at the half.
After the break Frias returned the favour to Hector after he ran unto a long overhead pass from his own half before calmly dribbling past Martin and squaring neatly to his teammate who made no mistake firing into open net to give his team an unassailable 2-0 advantage in the 57th.
Somewhat in a shock after falling two goals behind Petrotrin found themselves fighting for dear life as keeper Martin was called to the podium on countless occasions to defend his team’s already battered scoreline.
None was more convincing though than when he twice reacted sharply to deny Frias who was put through one on one on goal in the 64th after neat touches between Silvio Spann and Andre Toussaint.
The custodian first parried wide then recovered outstandingly to clear the striker’s second shot off the goal line.
Connection could have further increased their lead in the 75th minute when Christian Viveros’s deflected blast from the top of the area rolled narrowly wide of the goal with Martin beaten diving in the wrong direction.
Three minutes later Petrotrin were thrown a lifeline when Keon Daniel was brought down inside the area.
As luck would have it the midfielder saw his attempt parried by Mansano and to his amazement his rebounded attempt was also pushed away by the outstanding Brazilian keeper.
There was to be no further reprieve for the home team as W Connection snatched away all three points and further added to Brian Williams’ men slide.
W Connection: - Joao Mansano, Kern Cupid, Elijah Joseph, Andre Toussaint, Nickcolson Thomas, Silvio Spann, Hughton Hector, Andrei Pacheco (Atiba Charles), Kevin Nelson, Christian Viveros, Jonathan Frias (Gerrard William).
United Petrotrin: - Perry Martin, Larry Bacchus, Kevon Clement, Romauld Augillera, Kelvin Hernandez, Keon Daniel, Marlon Lewis, Sylvester Teesdale, Husani Thomas, Peter Prosper, Jerrol Forbes.
Army steal points from Rangers.
By: Joel Villafana (ttproleague).[/size]
Defence Force pulled of a remarkable comeback to steal a point from Superstar Rangers as the 2007 TT Pro League season resumed after the international break.
For Rangers it was not the first time that they dropped points, but it could not be said that the Army didn’t fully earn their piece of the pie, as they clawed their way back from a two goal deficit.
The match was always going to be a cracker, but the fans at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar barely had time to settle into their seats when the Army’s Michael Edwards scored the opening goal in only the second minute.
Sixteen minutes later Rangers struck back through Joseph Peters and the game was on.
Rangers settled in quickly and just beyond the half hour mark went ahead for the first time in the match.
Newly signed Josimar Belgrave controlled Todd Ryan’s cross in the box composed himself and slotted home from about twelve yards with the Army defence well at sea.
Army bounced back almost immediately and would have had an equalizer, but Devon Jorsling was denied by a spectacular save from Rangers Jhonny Ortiz after being put through by Christopher Durity.
In the 34th Kevon Carter was also turned back by Ortiz who was having a stellar evening.
Thirty-six minutes in Peters had a peach of an opportunity to make it 3-1 but he skewed Devon Modeste’s cutback well wide from the top of the box.
With blood on their tongues the Rangers attack continued to press for a third but Army’s eccentric custodian Selwyn George did well to deny Errol McFarlane’s headed effort at the end of another great Modeste delivery.
And that’s how the teams went into the dressings room Rangers leading 2-1 at the half.
It’s a known fact that Army are the quintessential second half team, but while Keston Williams was marshalling the troops well in the midfield, it was then Army’s defence that would let them down.
Mc Farlane pulled three defenders to the right flank before squaring to Peters, who, found himself unmarked in the middle of the park chipped the ball over the hapless George and into the back of the net from 30 odd yards out.
In the 50th Mc Farlane put his shot right at goalkeeper George to get things rolling again, the keeper was however equal to the effort.
Seven minutes George again denied later Mc Farlane this time from point blank range.
In the 62nd Army got it’s breakthrough when Devon Jorsling was aware of the chance and made them pay as Ortiz fumbled what should have been a routine save off Richard Roy’s cross.
As if that was not enough Roy, a second half substitute, went on to set up the second equalizer when he outfoxed Milton Correa Gomez into fouling him inside the area earning his team a penalty.
Jorsling stepped up and easily put the ball past Ortiz to level things once again.
Rangers last real chance was not to be as Mc Farlane could not connect with Dean Pacheco’s cross, the game ending in an exciting 3-3 stalemate.
Defence Force: - Selwyn George, Anton Pierre, Keston Williams, Michael Edwards, Christopher Durity, Devon Jorsling, Kevon Carter, David Alleyne, Corey Rivers, Sean Narcis, Christian Baptiste.
Superstar Rangers: - Jhonny Ortiz, Dean Pacheco, Errol Mc Farlane, Devon Modeste, Josimar Belgrave (Christon Thomas 84th), Nigel Henry, Marc Borde, Joseph Peters, Todd Ryan (Elijah Belgrave 86th), Milton Correa Gomez, Corneal Thomas.
Byers brace keeps Jabloteh in the hunt.
By: Randy Bando (ttproleague).[/size]
A brace by Antiguan striker Peter Byers kept second placed CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh on the heels of leaders Caledonia AIA after his team defeated Police FC 2-0 on Tuesday at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.
Byers registered a goal on either side of the half against the ‘Lawmen’ to help his team extend their unbeaten run to four matches as the League resumed after a month long break.
But the start wasn’t all in favor of the young Jabloteh squad which featured Lester Peltier, Khaleem Hyland, Atullah Guerra and Karlon Murray.
Leading the ‘San Juan Kings’ as captain for the first time was T&T international Dwayne Jack holding on for suspended regular captain Wendell Joseph.
The Policemen led by Grayson Edwards as captain also featured some young names and mounted numerous attacks early in the match as Jabloteh took time to settle.
The first attempt on goal came from the Policemen when striker Keion Wilson had a tame go at goal in the 23rd minute from inside the area that was easily handled by goalkeeper Daurance Williams.
Just on the half hour mark Police striker Christopher Sam miserably failed to have a go at goal after Wilson fed him a though ball inside the Jabloteh area—which was the best opening for the servicemen.
The Policemen then paid dearly in the 36th when Peter Byers registered his fist on the afternoon. The ace Jabloteh forward punished goalkeeper Ryan Edwards at close range after Cyd Gray’s corner beat the entire defence leaving their goalie hapless with the ‘San Juan Kings’ taking a 1-0 advantage.
In a late attempt to level things, the upright unfortunately denied Keion Wilson after he made an exceptional run on the left side and shooting from an acute angle.
After an excellent first half performance the Lawmen retired at the break trailing a goal down as Jabloteh celebrated the advantage.
The second period begun in a scrimmage resulting in a number of players being cautioned on both sides of the park by referee Phillip Jordan who didn’t hesitate to dip into his top pocket as Jabloteh and Police shared eight yellow cards.
Police fight then fell through the floor when Byers completed his double just inside the one-hour mark, Jabloteh grasping a 2-0 advantage as they took control of the match. Byers cleaned up from close range after goalkeeper Edwards who remained stunned after Byers pounced on the loose ball spilled Lester Peltier’s on target header from Atuallah Guerra’s crossball.
Both coaches made changes inside the last 20 minutes with Jabloteh introducing Aurtis Whitley for injured newcomer Jason Cudjoe while Police also tried fresh legs in desperation for a late comeback.
Although the Policemen mounted a couple late runs forward it was the San Juan based club who dominated the late half as defender Karlon Murray was in stunning form.
In the dying moments Jabloteh’s Atuallah Guerra and substitute Elton John had near misses before referee Jordan blew his final whistle. The 2-0 win ensured that Jabloteh held their number two spot on the heels of leaders Caledonia AIA who managed a 4-2 win over Tobago United at the Dwight Yorke Stadium.
San Juan Jabloteh: - Duarance Williams, Cyd Gray, Dwayne Jack (capt), Trent Noel, Atullah Guerra, Ian Gray (Devon Jamerson 81st), Lester Peltier (Aurtis Whitley 71st), Khaleem Hyland, Peter Byers, Karlon Murray, Jason Cudjoe (Elton John 71st).
Police FC: - Ryan Edwards, Grayson Edwards (capt), Kieron Archie, Christopher Sam (Terryl Elwin 70th), Noel Williams, Curt Dunclair (Hayden Jones 70th), Kaaron Foster (Daniel Garcia 77th), Brandon Christopher, Keion Wilson, Dwight Elliot, Jamal Clarence.
Mitchell double keeps Caledonia noses in front.
By: Opuku Ware (ttproleague).[/size]
Fresh from their first victory in Pro League competition, Tobago United gave another creditable performance when they hosted League leaders, Neal and Massy AIA Caledonia, but thanks to a double by young local striker Carlyle Mitchell the ‘Morvant Stallions’ galloped to a 4-2 victory in a pulsating, game of football.
The Caledonia lads exhibited a fluent passing game and took the lead early in the 9th minute when Carlyle Mitchell took advantage of a goal-keeping blunder by Andrew Durant in the Tobago United goal. Durant failed to hold on to a high ball, which dropped to Mitchell who made no mistake, slamming the ball into the back of the net.
Tobago United gave their fans something to cheer about when Handel Manswell blasted a quickly taken free kick to the left of Caledonia keeper, Richard Reynolds in the 18th minute to level the scores at one a piece.
The game was played at a frantic pace with each team looking for every opportunity to score and when Signal Hill College standout Walter Phillip deliberately held back a Caledonia player in the area, the referee Vinney Benjamin had no hesitation in ordering a penalty which was converted by Kareem Joseph in the 39th minute – and Caledonia restored their lead.
The game was a spectator’s delight with both teams adopting an ultra attacking style of play and the Tobago lads had Garvin Mc Kenna and George Dublin orchestrating their play from defence to midfield and it was no surprise when Garth Woodley played a through ball to danger man Kayode Legall who used his speed and finished clinically with a right foot shot in the 45th minute. 2-2 at half time with all to play for.
It was end-to-end football in the second half of the game. Caledonia were seeking to penetrate on the flanks, while Tobago United were left to the skill of Mc Kenna and the speed of Legall.
It was Carlyle Mitchell of Caledonia, however, who took advantage of a lapse on the right side of the Tobago team’s defence to hit home his second of the match to give his team a 3-2 advantage in the 65th minute.
Caledonia went in search for an insurance goal and got it when Anthony Abraham shot home from a goalmouth scrimmage in the 79th minute.
Tobago United urged on by their growing band of supporters mounted a series of attacks on the Caledonia goal, but was thwarted by the disciplined Caledonia defence and the game ended 4-2.
Caledonia AIA: - Richard Reynolds, Leslie Holligan (Anthony Abraham 74th), Sheldon Emmanuel (capt), Walter Moore, Stephan David, Marvin Oliver, Shawn Bishop, Howard Lowe, Carlyle Mitchell, Hayden Tinto (Kareem Joseph 12th), Kerry Noray (Abdullah Phillips 70th).
Head Coach: Jamal Shabazz
Tobago United: - Andrew Durant, Kayode Legall, Warren Phillips (capt), Handel Manswell, Garvin Mc Kenna, George Dublin, Tichard Joseph (Che Burris 74th), Garth Woodley, Jamal Jack, Kevin Adams, Keon Samuel (Jammiel Smith 89th).
Head Coach- Peter Granville
Full Results.
San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Peter Byers 36, 59) v Police FC 0.
W Connection 2 (Jonathan Farias 37, Hughton Hector 57) v United Petrotrin 0.
Defence Force 3 (Michael Edwards 2, Devon Jorsling 62, 71-pen) v Superstar Rangers 3 (Joseph Peters 8, 49, Josimar Belgrave 31).
Joe Public 1 (Kerry Baptiste 43-pen) v North East Stars 0.
Caledonia AIA 4 (Carlyle Mitchell 9, 65, Kareem Joseph 39-pen, Anthony Abraham 79) v Tobago United 2 (Handel Manswell 18, Kayode Legall 49).
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