Gay bangs double over Jabloteh to put Caledonia into First Citizens Cup final
ttproleague.comStriker Jamal Gay pumped Caledonia AIA into its first ever First Citizens Cup Final netting both goals in a 2-1 comeback semi-final victory over neighbouring rivals San Juan Jabloteh on Friday night at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Gay scored both item’s in the second period to send his team into the Final on Friday 14 October, after Jabloteh held a first half 1-0 advantage through a converted penalty by midfielder Marvin Oliver in the 34th minute.
Jabloteh looked the better of both sides in the opening half and had an effort inches wide in the opening moments when defender Jamal Jack got on the end of an Oliver freekick directing it just wide.
Jabloteh then won the penalty in the 31st minute when Caledonia goalkeeper Kevin Graham pulled down Kennedy
Hinkson inside the area, breaking down a neat buildup by the San Juan club, however gifting the Earl Carter coached side a penalty.
Oliver made no mistake from the spot beating Kevin Graham and giving his side a deserving 1-0 advantage which was held until the 47th minute when Gay leveled the scores.
Caledonia which had a couple efforts late in the first half with substitute Mekesi Lewis deflected shot comfortably held by goalkeeper Cleon John in the 39th minute and a minute later Guyanese teenager Trayon Bobb slammed an effort high overbar.
But two minutes into the second half when Bobb’s well placed pass across the six-yard area left goalkeeper John in two minds, affording Gay with an open net for a simple tap in, leveling the scores 1-1.
And some poor defending again by Jabloteh in the 66th minute saw Gay pick up his double, putting Caledonia ahead
2-1 when he held off his marker to turn after receiving a low cross and casually buried it inside goalkeeper John’s upright for what turned out the winner.
Jabloteh didn’t have the same impact as the second, however weren’t short on efforts at goal with midfielder Jason Marcano forcing a save out of Graham in the 46th minute, and later saw his brilliant striker from 25 yards out measured by a superb save by the Caledonia goalie in the 77th minute.
A minute later, Marcano failed to meet Nigel Daniel pass inside the area with full contact only managing a weak effort at Graham.
Jabloteh defenders Jack and Sheldon Bateau also got forward and had efforts, with the Tobagonian Jack having the better of chances after making one of his powerful runs forward and flashing a shot across the Caledonia goal in the 58th minute.
But in the end, Caledonia advanced into the Final and will meet tournament newcomers T&TEC FC. T&TEC FC surprised all with a 4-3 penalty win ousting favourites W Connection in the second semi-final clash on Friday night at Port of Spain venue following a 1-1 draw.
San Juan Jabloteh 1—2 Caledonia AIAMarvin Oliver 34’(pen) ; Jamal Gay 47’, 66’
W Connection (3)1—1(4) T&TEC FCJerrel Britto 70’ ; Romauld Aguillera 21’
San Juan Jabloteh—Cleon John(gk), Marvin Oliver(capt.), Jamal Jack, Kennedy Hinkson(Yellow Card)(Johan Peltier 68th)(Yellow Card), Willis Plaza(Hector Sam 70th), Elijah Manners(Kwame Wiltshire 83rd), Karlon Murray, Nigel Daniel, Jason Marcano, Luke Gullick, Sheldon Bateau
Coach—Earl Carter
Caledonia AIA—Kevin Graham(gk), Stephan David(capt.), Kareem Joseph(Keyon Edwards 83rd), Nuru Abdallah Muhammad, Sheldon Emmanuel, Trayon Bobb, Akim Armstrong, David Atiba Charles, Jamal Gay, Kemron Purcell, Travis Mulraine(Makesi Lewis 38th)
Coach—Jamaal Shabazz
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