North East outlast WASAs reservoir on penalties.
By: Randy Bando (ttproleague).
North East Stars were held to a 1-1 score line at the end of full time, and needed penalties to get past Super League team WASA in the second match of a double header of the Toyota Classic down at the Larry Gomes Stadium.
The preliminary round match finished 6-5 on penalties in favor of the 2006 First Citizens Cup finalists.
The Sangre Grande boys took a bizarre lead in the 3rd minute when midfielder Marc Leslie saw WASAs goal keeper Barry Villaroel off his line and shot at goal from some 45 yards out to put the score at 1-0.WASAs Jerome Dickinson had a 23 yard shot out of nothing in the 17th minute when North Easts replacement keeper Curtis Granger held it calmly to his chest.
The St Joseph based team was determined for an equalizer and to their credit was awarded a 22minute free kick. Billydee Scantlebury took the challenge and sent in a low 25 yard shot that went past a thick of players to beat Granger far post. The North East custodian was looking out for the deflection and in his thinking so, gave the Watermen the equalizer to level the score at 1-1.
The Everald Gally Cummings coached team had to go to the extreme as WASAs players such as Dickinson, Scantlebury and Dhanoolal was putting up the best of resistance.
Cummings charges then had a few chances before that interval like in the 26th minute when Kevin Jeffrey returned a pass to Jesse Martinez who failed to put power and placement on his 18 yard shot and goalkeeper Villaroel made a simple stop.
In the 44th minute Walter Moore floated a decent cross into the penalty area but Kenwyn Matthew headed over bar from just outside the six yard area.
On the resumption of play North East was after the win but some timely interceptions by Marvin Faustin and Jesse Reyes made it difficult for the Grande boys.
In the 48th minute Marc Leslie sent a low corner into the penalty area to Kevin Jeffrey who flicked on a pass to Kayode Mc Kinnon, he however took forever to shoot eventually palcing it wide.
In the 60th minute Mc Kinnon played a low cross from the right side and goalkeeper Villaroel spilled it to Jeffrey but he shot high in front of an open goal.
Mc Kinnon then had two efforts well handled by Villaroel in the 61st and 64th minutes. The first was from a free kick when he tried to lob the keeper and the second was when his well struck shot was deflected and wrapped up by the WASA custodian.
The Pro League team seemed to have full control of the game with ball possession and attacks, but the score line didnt changed.
It seemed that Coach Cummings introduction of Shandel Samuel in the 64minute wasnt enough, so he added the experienced Kendall Velox in the 73rd minute.
The Sangre Grande team had a couple of free kicks before the final whistle but well over bar and referee Lee Davis gave all the time that he had to offer before blowing the final whistle and directing both teams to the penalty spot.
North East Stars- Curtis Granger (GK), Charles Pollard (Capt.), Akeno Morgan, Howard Lowe, Jesse Martinez (Kendall Velox), Kayode Mc Kinnon, Kenwin Matthew, Kevin Jeffrey, Marc Leslie, Vernon Bailey (Shandel Samuel), Walter Moore.
Coach Everald Gally Cummings
Penalty kicks North East Stars
G - Howard Lowe
G - Kendall Velox
G - Akeno Morgan
G - Walter Moore
G - Kevin Jeffrey
G - Marc Leslie
X- Kayode Mc Kinnon
WASA- Barry Villaroel (GK), Kien Hernandez (Capt.), Anthony Dhanoolal, Billydee Scantlebury, Kevon Henry, Mervyn Brooks, Jesse Reyes, Alvris Faura (Keston Thomas), Akil Harley, Jerome Dickinson, Adrian Nunez (Marvin Joseph).
Coach Kenrick Elie
Penalty kicks WASA
G - Billydee Scantlebury
G - Marvin Joseph
G - Jerome Dickson
G - Mervyn Brooks
G - Kevon Henry
X - Jessie Reyes
X- Kien Hernandez
Match Referee Lee Davis
North East Stars v WASA
1 GOALS 1
1 YELLOW CARDS 1
0 RED CARDS 0
6 SHOTS ON TARGET 2
19 FOULS 9
6 CORNERS 2
2 OFFSIDES 1
6 PENALTIES 5
Conrads early goal sends Tobago United packing.
By: Randy Bando (ttproleague).[/size]
Neal and Massy Caledonia AIAs Conrad Smith scored a superb curling shot and the only goal of the game to knock Tobago United out of the Toyota Classic preliminary round in the first game of a double header at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.
Conrads goal came in the 9th minute with a play started by World Cup midfielder Densil Theobald playing his first game after returning to the Morvant based team from Scotlands Falkirk. Theobald played a left sided free kick into the penalty area and Conrad did well to skip one defender and placed a curling right footed shot into the far corner stunning the Tobago team with an early 1-0 lead.
But it was the visiting team that had the first shot on goal from skipper Dwayne Jack fresh from two internationals with the Trinidad and Tobago team.
In the 3rd minute Jack went for placement with a 30 yard free kick but the Caledonia goal keeper Jhonny Cardona had an easy task getting both hands to the ball.
Tobago looked a bit different as they showed calm and built from the back.
Coach Peter Granville had to make an early substitution and brought on Sherwin Lee in the 18th minute for injured Garth Woodley.
Caledonias star midfielder and World Cup player Densill Theobald seemed settled in the middle and concentrated a lot on passing the ball around. He had a tame 24th minute shot from outside the penalty area that was easily parried down by the Tobago custodian Rondell Renwick.
Tobago Uniteds substitute Sherwin Lee got early momentum and raced down the right side in the 25th minute and had a near post shot that skidded off the chest of goal keeper Cardona for a corner.
The Tobago Men continued to search for the equalizer and in the 26th minute Sherwin Lee sent a low pass into the penalty area that met the foot of Ancil Elcock and he skied it over bar from close range.
Midfielder Handell Manswell did well holding the ball in midfield and taking the game to the Caledonia defence.
On a counter attack in the 34th minute Caledonias Julio Cesar De La Rosa sent long ball forward directed to striker Kendall Jagdeosingh who went past the Tobago defence but goal keeper Renwick reacted quickly and was first to the ball.
The Peter Grandville coached team continue to surge forward with Lee who sent a long cross into the penalty area but Ancil Elcocks first touch failed him and defender Leslie Holligan wasted no time in clearing the ball forward.
The Morvant men had the last real chance of the first half when Theobald on the left side passed to Conrad Smith and he chipped it wide to Nigel Pierre on the right side who volleyed his shot into the ground from inside the penalty area and it went just wide of the far upright.
In the second half Caledonias Jagdoesingh was fouled be defender Dwayne Jack about 25 yards out and midfielder Thoebald took the free kick and sent a low shot into the wall, not harming goal keeper Renwicks goal.
The Morvant based team had another free kick in the 61st minute from the edge of the penalty area and Nigel Pierre couldnt get it past the Tobago wall.
Goal scorer Conrad Smith came close to a double but his 66th minute shot rebounded off the upright after some neat passing with Kareem Joseph to strip the Tobago defence.
Substitute Nigel Codrington proved that his legs were fresh and made some promising runs down the flanks. A 74th minute Codrington cross destined for Smith to score was intercepted by defender Darryl James in a breath.
Granvilles charges then missed two opportunities in extra time, first from a free kick and then from the rebound when Keon Samuel headed over bar.
Caledonia was the first to score and the last to attack when Densil Theobald played a through ball to substitute Hayden Tinto who had a low shot pushed into play by a diving goal keeper Renwick before referee Shane De Silva blew her final whistle.
Caledonia AIA- Jhonny Ortiz Cardona (GK), Uz Taylor (Capt.), Leslie Holligan, Julio Ceasar De Le Rosa, Kareem Joseph, Densill Theobald, Stephen David Abdallah Phillips (Shawn Bishop), Conrad Smith (Hayden Tinto), Nigel Pierre, Kendall Jagdeosingh (Nigel Codrington).
Technical Director Jamal Shabazz
Tobago United- Rondell Renwick (GK), Dwayne Jack (capt.), Olatunji Quadri, Ancil Elcock, Darryl James, Kevin Adams, Marvin Phillips, Handell Manswell, Keon Samuel, Kwame Wiltshire (Joel Alleyne), Garth Woodley (Sherwin Lee) (Gerron Mc Knight) (Matthew Williams).
Technical Director Peter Grandville
Match Referee Shane De Silva
Caledonia AIA v Tobago United
1 GOALS 0
1 YELLOW CARDS 2
0 RED CARDS 0
8 SHOTS ON TARGET 3
17 FOULS 13
9 CORNERS 2
2 OFFSIDES 2
Jabloteh needed penalties to kick out Super League Defence Force.
By: Gordon Pierre (ttproleague).
C.L. Financial San Juan Jabloteh needed penalties to beat Defence Force Super League team 5-3 in the first game of a double header at the Hasley Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain.
On a field that was less than ideal after a sudden heavy down pour just hours before the game. Defence Force Super League outfit provided stubborn resistance to the Pro League second placed team San Juan Jabloteh.
Jabloteh led in every area except in goals scored, the San Juan team missed numerous chances. Peter Prosper was the first culprit miss trapping when left all alone after an Aurtis Whitley through pass.
It was not all one way traffic, in the 12th minute Army Sherman "Ants" Phillip had a good shot saved by Daurance Williams after an enterprising run down the left side.
In the26th minute Defence Force goalkeeper Selwyn George was to make a brilliant save from point blank to deny a Keyeno Thomas header after Kerry Baptiste swung a right side corner. He was force to make another brilliant save from a Whitley shot from the resultant corner.
The half time talk by Jabloteh coach Terry Fenwick did wonders because Jabloteh came out with urgency in the second half. Jason Marcano missed two good opportunities in the 49th and 54th minutes respectively.
Two minutes later Lester Peltier got the ball into the back of the Defence Force net, but he was ruled to be offside. Peter Prosper indifferent game in front of goal continued when he headed wide of an open goal after a header pass by Marcano in the 59th minute.
Defence Force could count themselves unlucky not to be awarded a penalty after Sterling Obrian seemed to have been brought down in the penalty area in the 63th minute.
Keseon Thedore tried to steal a Defence Force win with good long range efforts in the 67th and 70th minutes.
In the 73th minute Jabloteh should have scored but substitute Anthony Wolfe shot wide from point blank range. In the end it was Goalkeeper Daurance Williams that was to be the hero for Jabloteh saving Christopher Duritys penalty allowing Jabloteh to win 5-3 on penalties after a 0-0 full time score.
C.L Financial San Juan will now meet Superstar Rangers in the quarter-final of the Toyota Classic next Friday.
San Juan Jabloteh- Daurance Williams, Keyeno Thomas, Cyd Gray, Ian Gray, Nigel Daniel (26th Marcelle Francois), Lester Peltier, Trent Noel, Kerry Bapiste, Aurtis Whitley, Jason Marcano (73rd Akiel Guevara), Peter Prosper (60th Anthony Wolfe).
Defence Force (Super League)- Selwyn George, Emmanuel Noel (65th Joel Williams), Jahavon Neptune (73rd Kwesi Smith), Christopher Durity, Sterling Obrian, Keseon Thedore, Keston Williams, Aklie Edwards, Kayode Thomas (Marvin Gordon), Joel James, Sherman Phillip.
Referee: Russell Cassimere
Defence Force v San Juan Jabloteh
0 GOALS 0
0 YELLOW CARDS 0
0 RED CARDS 0
3 SHOTS ON TARGET 6
8 FOULS 15
2 CORNERS 10
3 OFFSIDES 4
Army eases past Police.
By: Jovan Ravello (ttproleague).
The Defence Force Pro League team easily beat the Super Leagues Police outfit 4-1 in their Toyota Classic match, the second of a double-header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo last night.
Supporters barely had time to settle into their seats between matches before Defence Force recorded the evenings first regulation time strike.
Defence Force vice-captain Michael Edwards took on the Police midfield, shaking off two challenges before letting fly a low, powerful shot that was too hot for Police captain and goalkeeper Anthony Marshall to handle, the ball trickling under his body and over the line just beyond his reach.
Soon after the Army locked up shop while simultaneously pressing the Super League leaders back into their own half. With some superb defensive play and a sharp brand of short passing the Army men made life hard for Police forcing them to chase the ball in midfield.
Police had its first real chance of the match when Fabien Garcia saw his free-kick, won atop the 18 yard box, deflect off the wall, beat Army 'keeper Kevin Graham but crash out off the bar.
Edwards was made the villain in the 16th minute when his attempted interception of Hayden Jones' through ball to Neri Joseph bounced wickedly off his shin over Grahams head and into a vacant net.
This slip by what had been a near perfect back-line appeared to unnerve Defence Force that is until in the 20th minute Ronald St Louis found himself in the box after some strong wing work on the left side but his shot went awry.
Edwards looked determined to atone for his earlier mistake when he made his way out of defence to the edge of the Police area to slip a ball to Devorn Jorsling, the resulting shot hitting the bar and going into touch.
Police began to take charge of proceedings midway into the first-half but the Army defence continued to contain them.
In the 33rd Anton Joseph put his shot just wide after a clever move down the middle of the park and in the 36th Kevon Carter played Dexter Pacheco in but his shot was scuffed well wide.
Police retorted in the 38th when Fabian Garcia played a slide rule pass to set Kurt Danclair free who with Joseph to his left opted instead to shoot, his shot however caused Graham no worry and was parried wide.
After the flurry of chances the teams seemed content to remain deadlocked to the halftime interval as the both adopted a short passing game until referee Richard Piper sent them into the dressing rooms.
The small but enthusiastic crowd did not have long to wait after the half-time interval as Carter found himself with room just outside the area and sent a well placed shot past Marshall and into the back of the net in the 47th minute.
Defence Force learnt its lesson from the first half and did not take its foot off the gas, maintaining the pressure on either side of the pitch.
Police was not prepared to lie down but had to do some damage control and did not venture as much in the attacking third as they did in the first-half.
Defence Force had no such qualms and continued to press for a third.
The pressure got to Police and this manifested itself when Kurt Danclair was sent to an early shower by Piper.
Danclair, picked up a yellow card for a rash challenge in the 83rd minute and seemingly still annoyed at Pipers decision contrived to show dissent three minutes later giving Piper no choice but to flourish the red card.
In the 86th minute, Jerwyn Baltahzar, an 87th minute substitute for Kevon Carter, beat Polices porous offside trap before drawing out the Police keeper and playing a pass to Akil Pierre, himself a sub for Jorsling in the 75th, who calmly finished from just inside the area.
And the rout was complete when, in the 90th minute, Pierre got his second in as many minutes putting away Ronald St Louis left side cross and the match as a contest in the process.
Defence Force- Kevin Graham, Anton Pierre, Rawle Fletcher, Kelshall Alexander, Michael Edwards, Devorn Jorsling (Akil Pierre 75th), Kevon Carter (Jerwyn Balthazar 87th), Anton Joseph, Ronald St Louis, Ronald Boyce, Dexter Pacheco (Balondemu Julius 66th).
Coach: PO Anthony Barrington
Police FC- Anthony Marshall, Newt Hinds (Sean Mc Clashie 60th), Grayson Edwards, Kheon Archie, Jason James (Kelon Williams 55th), Neri Joseph, Fabien Garcia, Kurt Danclair, Keron Foster, Hayden Jones (Christopher Sam 88th), Dwight Elliot.
Coach: Ralph Nelson.
Eastern Lions eat Harvard raw.
By: James Saunders (ttproleague).[/size]
A Massacre is the best word that can be used to describe what took place as Joe Public hammered eight goals past Super League outfit Harvard F.C. in Toyota Classic action at the Mannie Ramjohn stadium.
At the end of 90 minutes and whatever time was added on by the referee of the one-sided football affair it seemed that it was the Harvard Boys who were more jubilant, not in victory but that they were put out of their misery after the scoreboard read 8-1 in favour of the Eastern Lions.
Choosing to rest some of their regulars and give a run to their coach and former goalkeeper Micheal Mc Commie it was the current league leaders who signaled their intent to stamp their supremacy as early as the 9th minute when Gary Glasgow nodded in a deep Arnold Dwarika cross to make it 1-0.
Two minutes later the impressive looking Joe Public team would increase the lead when striker Gary Glasgow acrobatically volleyed Brazilian Jorge Da Silvas penetrative cross from the right back across goal to the head of Jamaican Roen Nelson who converted the first of a beaver-trick he would go on to score.
Less than a minute later Arnold Dwarika who had a superb game in midfield caught the Harvard custodian napping, however athough his cheeky chip shot managed to beat the keeper it bounced just wide of the uprights.
However just as it seemed that the game would be all Joe Public Harvard give their fans a glimmer of hope in the 13th minute when Christon Freitas against the run of play ran unto a through ball turned stopper Jason Springer inside out before slamming the ball past an unprotected Aleanjandro Figueroa to make the score 2-1.
The goal seemed to lift Northerners spirits and confidence and they started creating a few stirs in the Public defence with some individual dribbling moves by their attackers.
The Eastern Lions quickly dispelled any notion of a comeback and in the 21st minute when a pinpoint Dwarika cross from the right-side picked out Nelson who made no mistake heading in at the near post to make it 3-1 Joe Public.
Leading his team from the pitch in a somewhat unfamiliar rightwing position coach Micheal Mc Comie together with the midfield duo of Dwarika and captain Dale Saunders combined expertly to control possession for the Lions and were unfortunate not to increase the lead before halftime.
After the break the League leaders came out firing on all cylinders and raced to a 5-1 lead less than five minutes after the restart with Nelson getting his hat-trick and Dwarika adding to the tally.
Harvard refused to die and at times showed some individual brilliance but on the majority of occasions lacked the cohesiveness to create any real chances to trouble Figueroa.
The introduction of substitute Carey Harris for Mc Comie only helped to further sink Harvard as some impressive work by the speedy winger on the right side caused a lot of problems for the now tired looking defence who half cleared the ball to the top of the penalty area to a welcoming Nelson who drove an unstoppable shot high into the top corner of the net to push his team 6-1 ahead in the 62nd minute.
Arnold Dwarika could have made it seven in 71st but the crossbar denied his curling free-kick.
The midfielder who surely must be contending for a spot on Dutchman Wim Rijsbergens national squad turned provider three minutes later when a move he orchestrated ended with Gary Glasgow tapping home from six yards to make it 7-1.
By then the game was entirely Joe Publics with Harvard struggling just to get a touch of the ball and after what seemed to be and endless game of possession by Mc Comies men who passed the ball no less than twenty times between themselves uninterrupted, substitute Devon Mitchell squared from the left to an unmarked Dwarika who capped off a fine eight goal performance by his team.
Judging from Lions ruthlessness in front of goal Joe Publics next opponents would be well advised to pray for a miracle.
Joe Public- Aleanjandro Figueroa, Michael Mc Comie (Carey Harris), Seon Powers, Wolry Wolfe (Devon Caseman), Abbssi Mc Pherson, Jason Springer, Roen Nelson (Devon Mitchell), Gary Glasgow, Arnold Dwarika, Dale Saunders, Jorge Da Silva.
Coach: Michael Mc Comie
Harvard- Damian Fraser, Damien Pompy (Dwight Dowdy), Seon Jack, Sayid Freitas, Shaton Ollivierre (Lindon Bartholomew), Duran Felician, Kareem Freitas, Saleem Rahman, Marlon Grant, Christon Freitas (Marvin Mc Eachie), Nasif Joefield, Ishmael Muhammad.
Coach: Rayshawn Mars.
Joe Public v M&M Harvard
8 GOALS 1
1 YELLOW CARDS 1
0 RED CARDS 0
10 SHOTS ON TARGET 3
8 FOULS 8
4 CORNERS 5
2 OFFSIDES 0
United Petrotrin edge Starworld Strikers.
By: Vinod Narwani (ttproleague).
United Petrotrin needed a stoppage time item from the boot of Sylvester Teesdale to seal a 3-2 win over Starworld Strikers in their first round Toyota Classic encounter at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella on Friday.
It was his second goal of the game, which also saved the Oilmen from going into spot kicks after squandering a 2-0 first-half lead.
The encounter, which saw both teams putting up a lacklustre display at the very beginning, had its moments as the clash of the south-based teams made the handful of supporters wonder if a goal was ever going to be scored.
A Starworld corner in the 10th minute was just headed off target by Nigerian player Stanley Iyiaka.
Iyiaka again had another chance at goal five minutes later, his shot hit straight to Petrotrin custodian Perry Martin to ensure that the rivals would not draw first blood.
Teesdale then teased the Starworld players with his dribbling skills, only to shoot wide in the 29th minute.
Keon Daniel had a clear chance at goal for the men in red, but was denied by Starworld goalie Marvin Phillip in the 37th minute.
The Anthony Rougier-led side soon opened their account as Kevon Clement sent a ball from the left flank across goal, which the Starworld keeper failed to take and Jerrol Forbes capitalized on the mistake by slamming home for a 1-0 lead.
The second goal was based on some good work, Romauld Aguillera in the centre playing to Forbes on the left, whose distribution across goal was buried home by Teesdalethe Oilmen taking a 2-0 lead.
Starworld showed a sense of urgency in the second half as Marlon Stoute passed the ball to Jason Charles on the left, his touch across the box finding Nigel Hart for the lifeline item.
Then in the 64th minute, Lindsie Sherwood hit a bullet from outside, only for Martin to prevent Strikers from drawing level.
However, Sherwood was not to be denied 14 minutes later following a scramble in the area, which saw him latching onto the ball and kicking it into the back of the onion bag for both sides to be level at 2-2.
Things started getting worse for the Brian Williams-coached unit as Anthony Haynes was sent off in the 80th minute for striking a Starworld player.
This caused fans to react angrily at match referee John Danouse for what they felt was an erroneous decision after he consulted the lineswoman.
In the end, though, substitute Beville Josephs impeachable flick found Teesdale, whose clinical finishing beat Phillip and brought joy to the Oilmen in stoppage time.
Teams
United Petrotrin[/b] Perry Martin, Simeon Augustus (Marlon Lewis 60th), Kevon Clement, Romauld Aguillera, Sylvester Teesdale, Anthony Rougier (capt), Devon Bristol, Anthony Haynes, Keon Daniel, Jerrol Forbes (Beville Joseph 70th), Kennedy Hinkson.
Coach Brian Williams
Starworld Strikers Marvin Phillip, Andre Charles (capt), Errol Charles, Marlon Stoute, Jamal Ayres, Nigel Hart (Derron Matthews 75th), Ghmyo Harper, Jason Charles, Lindsie Sherwood, Randolph Jerome, O. Stanley Iyiaka.
Coach Michael Maurice
Match referee John Danouse
United Petrotrin v Starworld Strikers
3 GOALS 2
2 YELLOW CARDS 1
1 RED CARDS 0
7 SHOTS ON TARGET 6
18 FOULS 11
3 CORNERS 2
3 OFFSIDES 3
Toussaint late winner saves Connection.
By: Joel Villafana (ttproleague).
Thanks to a quick double by W Connection skipper Earl Jean and a winning header by Septembers MVP Andre Toussaint in the dying minutes of the game gave the defending Toyota Classic champions W Connection a 3-2 win over a plucky Crab Connection in the 2nd match of a double header at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
This game was played at an intense pace, and one should have known as the opening burst in the very first minute of the game saw W Connections Huhgton Hector brought the best out of the Crab goalkeeper Clevion Fredrick.
The recently crowned First Citizens Cup champions took early control and with Gefferson Goulart and Earl Jean in the squad the Savonetta Boys went on to attack.
St. Lucian born midfielder George Isaacs made a few daring runs down the flanks and his shots were saved by the goalkeeper, Crab Connection soon came into their own and were matching W Connection stride for stride.
Marvin Oliver, the former North East Stars man glanced a header wideand in the 36th minute Joseph Peters slammed a shot just outside the 18yard giving Crab a surprise 1-0 lead.
Connection going into the dressing rooms a goal down, soon found the equalizer in the 52nd when Earl Jean tugged a cross from Andre Pacheco pass the goaliethe score 1-1.
Brent Edwards cracked a beauty for Crab, after a goal mouth scramble, but the goal of the game came in the 54th minute, when the same combination responsible for the first goal came togetherPacheco swung a low cross and Earl Jean threw his body full length to head it home.
It was Brent Edwards that shook the back of the net for Crab, as the ball fell nicely for him and he volleyed it home 2-2.
The game looked to be heading to penalties, before Andre Toussaint headed the Connection boys into a 3-2 lead in the 88th minute and thats how it stayed.
Teams
W Connection[/b]Kerwyn Beckles, Elijah Joseph (Christopher Harvey) Ronaldo Viana (Andrei Pacheco) Nickolson Thomas, Brenton DeLeon, Gefferson Goulart, Jerren Johnson, Christian Viveros, Earl Jean, Hughton Hector, George Issacs (Andre Toussaint).
CoachStuart Charles Fervier
Crab ConnectionShawn Jack, Trevis Halls, Brent Edwards, Rennie Brito, Marlon Warner, Irvin Trim (Brian Wallace) Sheldon Thomas (Dustin Felicien) Marvin Oliver, Roger Patrick, Clevion Frederick, Joseph Peters.
CoachMiguel Hackett
RefereePhillip Jordan
W Connection v Crab Connection
3 GOALS 2
0 YELLOW CARDS 3
0 RED CARDS 0
5 SHOTS ON TARGET 5
7 FOULS 7
4 CORNERS 9
3 OFFSIDES 1
Christon Thomas leads Rangers get past Phoenix.
By: Joel Villafana (ttproleague).
A double blow by Superstar Rangers winger Christon Thomas within the first five minutes was just enough to see the St. Anns based unit squeeze past Angostura 1976 F.C. Phoenix 2-1 in the opening round of the Toyota Classic.
Thomas found the back of the net in the 1st and 5th minutes of the opening game of the double header at the Ato Boldon stadium to give Rangers a comfortable 2-0 lead early on.
Rangers made the best of the very first move of the game when Colin Roberts lobbed a pass beat the Phoenix defence, and the speedy Thomas collected the ball, controlled and struck the back of the net to give the Pro League outfit a 1-0 lead before the small crowd had chance to settle down.
Rangers intent was clear, as the launched into attack mode following the early opener, 3 minutes later, Jason Eastman dissected the Phoenix defence and found an unmarked Shem Mc Farlene, but his shot went over the bar.
The Tobago based Phoenix were not allowed to settle and found themselves 2-0 down when Thomas once again found himself free in the area and headed home a left sided free kick.
Phoenix coached by Tobagos Terry Williams showed character, despite being 2-0 down they kept on plugging and began stroking the ball around, however, it was Rangers that was creating the goal scoring opportunitiesin the 12th minute Shem Mc Farlene made a brilliant run down the flank laid a ball across the face of the goal and no one was in attendance to benefit.
Shem was all over in the first half and had another chance, after weaving his way out of traffic, he hit a rocket just on top of the d and forced a save from Phoenix goalkeeper Jeffrey Delpeche.
Ashely Mc Millan was the man pulling the strings for the Tobagonians and he had a chance in the 32nd minute after the Rangers defence failed to clear the ball, but his shot went wide.
Anthony Streetes men kept in attack mode, as Colin Roberts lined up a shot in the minute 35, but his long-range crack from about 30 yards out rebounded out of play.
Phoenixs Shelton Williams then brought out the best in rangers goalkeeper Shurland Awai, as he pulled off a spectacular save to keep rangers in the lead.
Rangers comfortably ahead at the half, but the Tobago Super League team came out fighting and in the 54th minute pulled one back, when the hard working Mc Millan was sent through and he placed it far post, out of the reach of goalkeeper AwaiPhoenix now within one of forcing the game into a penalty shootout.
The Terry Williams coached team were making fundamental mistakes in the final third and failed to find an equalizer, while Rangers continued to create chances on the other end, but Shem Mc Farlene and Kerwin Jemmot were guilty of not putting away the chances that came their way.
Coach Streete brought on the big Todd Ryan in the latter stages, and he added some late impetus, but also muffed a few chances towards the end, and when referee Neil Brizan blew the final whistle Superstar Rangers were celebrating a 2-1 win and a quarter final spot next week Friday.
Teams
Superstar Rangers[/b]Shurland Awai (gk), Dean Pacheco, Colin Roberts, Lorne Joseph, Kerwyn Jemmott (Todd Ryan) Kerwin Cooper, Jason Eastman, Shem Mc Farlene, (Marlon Bowen) Errol Mc Farlene, Milton Gomez, Christon Thomas (Sean Christmas).
CoachAnthony Streete
Angostura 1976 PhoenixJeffrey Delpeche (gk), Rackley Joseph, Simon Nedd (Stephon Hector) Kevin Keith, Lesley Bristol, Shelton Williams, Nigel Thomas, Gary Bruce, Junior Roberts, Dave Grimshaw, Ashely Mc Millan (Nigel Alexander).
CoachTerry Williams
Match RefereeNeil Brizan
Superstar Rangers v Angostura Phoenix
2 GOALS 1
3 YELLOW CARDS 1
0 RED CARDS 0
6 SHOTS ON TARGET 2
14 FOULS 13
7 CORNERS 4
1 OFFSIDES 3