Mucurapo book place in Big Five final.
By: Garth Wattley (Express).[/size]
Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive put behind them previous semi-final heartbreak to book their place in this week's BG T&T Secondary Schools Football League Big Five final yesterday at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella.
They were put there by their skipper, Kevon Piper, whose close-range shot on the stroke of the half first of extra time was sufficient to wrest the title away from the defending champions Naparima College of the South Zone.
Piper's strike was the result of a fluent three-man counter-attack which began in midfield and was climaxed by his effort which beat goalkeeper Curtis Julien following a low cross which critically eluded the last defender. It was greeted by as big an ovation as the one given to a poor pothound who chose the Manny Ramjohn turf to do his numbers early in the second half.
That canine sideshow indeed was a highlight in a game that lacked for genuine action.
Mucurapo, the North champs, were worthy winners though after 110 minutes of play.
More likely and able to produce enterprising passing and skilful individuals on the ball, they eventually were able to overcome a typically defensively solid "Naps" unit.
From the first half it was a struggle for the front men. Precious few were the clear-cut opportunities for either side, although Naparima pressed hard for the early advantage, winning three corners and a free-kick inside the first five minutes. But none of those efforts really threatened to bear fruit.
Set pieces would be the theme of this game. With both defences resolute enough, play concentrated in midfield and neither team really being effective attacking from the wings, there were just rare moments of excitement for the small crowd.
Not surprisingly, those came from set-plays, both of them from "Compre".
In the ninth minute, the "Naps" defence failed to decisively clear a left-side free kick, which allowed Kevin Molino, from a fairly central position inside the 18-metre box, the time to shoot firmly over goalkeeper Julien but onto the crossbar.
And in the dying minutes of the half, Julien had to be rescued again. This time, it was a defender, covering on the right upright, who had to head Al Muhammad's looping header off the line, following a right-side corner taken short which was accurately floated his way on the left edge of the six-metre box.
The shifty Piper also missed the chance to lead by example when he shot tamely and straight at Julien after being gifted the ball by the last defender.
Naparima would have been grateful to still be level at the break.
But, eventually, Piper made them pay.
Mucurapo will now try to land their elusive Holy Grail when they take on East Zone winners St Augustine Secondary Comprehensive in the final.
