Eastern Lions maul Harvard to stay ahead.
By Jovan Ravello (Guardian).
Joe Public, looked every bit the defending champion as they defeated M&M Harvard 4-0 in their Sportworld National Super League match at the Marvin Lee Stadium, yesterday.
Roen Nelson opened the scoring in the 18th minute setting off a chain reaction among his fellow Jamaican team-mates Wolry Wolfe and Carlington Smith.
Wolfe added Public’s second in the 37th minute and Smith put in a quick double in the 88th and 89th minutes. Public’s closest challengers, Crab Connection enjoyed a 2-0 win over Angostura 1976 F.C Phoenix at the Wasa ground, St Joseph.
Crab’s Marvin Oliver broke the stalemate in the 60th minute and Brian Wallace added in the 86th minute. Police’s 4-0 win over Maraval Youth Academy at the Trinity College ground, Moka was marred by disciplinary problems.
Police got goals from Neri Joseph (39th), Randy Harris (53rd), Jason Boodram (61st) and Edmund Homer (76th). Homer picked a pair of yellow cards in the 76th and 88th following Maraval’s Lindsay Grell to an early shower, he was also yellow carded twice, in the 47th and 63rd minutes. Matches continue on Sunday.
Results:
Joe Public 4 (Roen Nelson 18th, Wolry Wolfe 37th, Carlington Smith 88th 89th) vs M&M Harvard 0.
Crab Connection 2 ( Marvin Oliver 60th, Brian Wallace 86th) vs Angostura 1976 F.C Phoenix 0.
Police 4 (Neri Joseph 39th, Randy Harris 53rd, Jason Boodram 61st, Edmund Homer 76th) vs Maraval Youth Academy 0.
Couva Players United 2 (Jonathan Marcel 53rd, Lyndon Bruno 75th) vs Media 21 1 (Marvin Small 25th).
WASA Clean and White 2 (David George 12th, 69th) vs Stokely Vale 1 (Keron Phillips 60th).
Lakers hold off Hills to win Pepsi FA Cup.
Tobago News Reports.
Newly promoted Roxborough Lakers held on for an exciting 3-2 win over giant killers Pepsi Hills United to capture the prestigious Pepsi FA Cup.
For the first time in many years, the Pepsi FA Trophy final was be disputed between the two lesser fancied teams in Tobago. The defending champions Coaching School were knocked out in the semi-finals opening the door for a new champion to be crowned. There were no Georgia United, Stokely Vale nor Sidey's, finalists of the recent past.
However, the two combatants certainly entertained the large crowd with attractive football and ensured that the event was not a dull affair.
Lakers attack was based on the speed of Dyke and Shamir Reid down the flanks to whip crosses into the box. Hills attack on the other hand was more direct with Esron Hinds and Keyun Boatswain attacking down the middle of the park. The football was electric with the large throng of supporters of both teams cheering every attack or save by the goalkeepers or attackers.
Lakers took the lead from a cross from the right which goalkeeper Ryan Stewart spilled, allowing Kwesi Beckles to nip in to score in the 16th minute. They went two up in the 33rd when Stewart again failed to hold a high looping cross. The ball fell invitingly at the feet of Kern Walcott, who had the simple task of side footing home from two metres. This brought the eastern supporters to their feet, chanting and beating musical instruments as they sensed victory. It was 2-0 in favour of Lakers at half time but many of the neutrals knew that the game was far from over.
Eustace Stewart replaced Boatswain at the start of the second half as they went into all out attack looking to pull one back. They came close on a few occasions but always looked vulnerable on the counter. It was one such raid that the defence was left exposed which forced Rodney Anderson to upend Dyke Reid in the penalty box. Captain Sellon Gray stepped up to bury the resultant penalty kick to give his team a 3-0 cussion.
However, a determined Hills United never gave up and kept pressing in attack and were finally rewarded when a cross from the left found Liston Winchester unmarked just outside the six yards box. He controlled and shot past Kenston Melville in the Lakers goal. Ten minutes to play plus stoppage time seemed insufficient for a Hills revival. But tried they did as on the stroke of full time Orlando Kerr's looping header caught Melville on his near post and lodged into the back of the net to push Lakers panic buttons.
However, four minutes added on injury time proved insufficient for Pepsi Hills to fashion an equalizer and as referee Noel Bynoe blew his whistle to end the game, hundreds of relieved and jubilant Lakers supporters stormed the field in wild celebrations. For their success, Lakers pocketed the Pepsi FA Trophy, $12,000 and twenty-five gold medals while Hills received $5,000 and the silver medals. St. Clair's Coaching School defeated Bethel United 3-0 in the third place playoff which was contested earlier in the evening.
Coaching School hold Coast Guard 3-3.
T&T Express Reports.
Eastern Conference leaders East West Coaching School battled from two goals down to hold T&T Coast Guard to a 3-3 draw in a battle of the league leaders in the Eastern Football Association (EFA) competition.
A win would have put Coast Guard atop the Conference, and they looked well on the way to getting the victory when they led 2-0.
For the Coastguar-dsmen, Deon Mac Farlane struck a brace, while Philbert Douglas scored once. However, Adrian Nunez netted twice and Mano John got another goal to earn a draw for the table toppers. East West Coaching School lead the conference with 30 points from 14 matches, while T&T Coast Guard have 29 but have played two matches less.
