U20S BETTER BY FOUR
By Shaun Fuentes.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Under 20 footballers warmed up for the upcoming Caribbean Football Union U20 qualifiers with a convincing 4-0 win over Barbados at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Wednesday.
Despite the win, the young footballers, under coach Brian Williams would have been keen to follow on their senior countrymen in the second game against Panama, hoping to pick up on one or two things as they seek to improve their game in coming weeks.
With W Connection’s Aaron Downing skippering the team, the starting eleven looked a confident bunch and never looked troubled by the visiting Bajans. Lester Peltier had a couple early looks at the opposition goal while Downing and Connection’s Matthew Barthlomew combined well time and again.
The opener came on 28 minutes when the latter sped down the left and played inside for Peltier to perfectly connect, sending the ball into the roof of the net for a 1-0 advantage.
It was 2-0 in the 34th when goalie Omari Eastmond failed to take Bartholomew’s shot cleanly and Peltier was there to punish him from close up.
Seven minutes from the break, Barbados’ Lionel Paul had a rare attempt, hitting wildly over bar.
T&T continued to pile the pressure on, showing good understanding and willingness to go forward. Their defense though couldn’t be judged as such as they had things easier than will be anticipated against the CONCACAF threats.
Jason Goodridge tested sub-goalie Adrian Foncette in the 60th minute but it wasn’t too long before T&T cushioned their lead.
Downing positioned himself well to connect to Christon Thomas’ cross, volleying home in the process for a 3-0 lead on 79 minutes.
A minute from time, Thomas and Downing combined inside the box before substitute Atullah Guerra finished it off with a strike from close up. (October 12, 2006)
Teams line ups
Trinidad and Tobago – 1. Leston Shade (20. Adrian Foncette 46th), 2. Jamal Wiggins (18.Christon Thomas 46th),5. Devon Drayton, 3. Marvin James, 4. Corneal Thomas, 6. Khaleem Hyland,7. Dion Peters (12.Atullah Guerra 46th), 10.Matthew Bartholomew (14. Hans Pierre 80th), 8. Keon Daniel, 9. Aaron Downing, 11. Lestier Peltier (13.Elton John 70th).
Subs not used – 15. Larry Bacchus, 16.Brendon Boucaud, 19. Carlyle Mitchell, 17.Javed Mohammed
Barbados – 1. Omari Eastmond (30. Kereem Farrell, 68th),3 Shane Hinkson, 4. Jamar Sargeant, 10.Jason Goodridge,6. Paul Alexander, 8.Jamar Watson, 11.Renaldo Gilkes, 14. Malcolm Marshall (5.Michael Young, 68th), 15.Jermaine Boyce, 22.Jason Mounter (9.Andre Layne, 16.Jermaine Caesar 46th), 20.Lionel Paul (Shane Callender 68th).