March 29, 2024, 08:40:55 AM

Author Topic: Cleon shines as Stars hold off Jabloteh; Police cruise past youthful Rangers  (Read 1006 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline SWF Reporter

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 687
    • View Profile
Cleon holds off Jabloteh; Police FC cruises past Rangers
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868)

A remarkable second half performance from Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Cleon John saved the day for a depleted North East Stars team tonight as a late Kennedy Hinkson winner helped the Sangre Grande-based outfit escape with a 1-0 win over San Juan Jabloteh at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.
The result saw Stars jump from fifth to second place in the Digicel Pro League although Point Fortin Civic or Central FC can overtake them with wins tomorrow.
Point Fortin hosts Defence Force from 3.30 pm tomorrow at Mahaica Oval while Central faces League leader DIRECTV W Connection from 5 pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. Fourth place Caledonia AIA is on a bye for this round.
Police FC enjoyed today’s work as well as the “Lawmen” cruised into third spot with a comfortable 2-0 win over a fresh faced St Ann’s Rangers team at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
The average age of the Rangers starting team this evening was just 21-years-old and it comprised of three teenagers including 16-year-old schoolboys Jair Edwards (Fatima College) and Josh Toussaint (Diego Martin North Secondary). By the final whistle, coach Gilbert Bateau had six teenagers on the field.
“Our intention is to go with youth this year,” Rangers chairman Richard Fakoory told Wired868. “These are some of the players who won the national under-17 league with me last year.
“We might get beat this year but next year will be better.”
The Lawmen certainly did mind as they made light work of Rangers.
Joel Lewis skilfully rounded Rangers custodian to open the scoring in the 28th minute after an assist from Police captain Todd Ryan. And defender Karlon Murray doubled his team’s advantage, seven minutes later, as he fired into the far corner after a low Christon Thomas cross.
Police winger Akiba Peters struck the bar twice in the second half without adding to the score summary as the Lawmen, who have played at least one more game than the League’s other eight clubs, ended with a similar 10-point tally as Stars but behind on goal difference.
Stars coach Angus Eve must have settled for a solitary point tonight. Somehow, he got all three.
Both Pro League games today started with a minute’s silence in tribute to the iconic former South Africa president and Nobel peace prize winner Nelson Mandela who passed away yesterday.
One reporter cheekily pointed out that the Pro League had given Mandela much more than two minutes of courtesy. There were barely two dozen spectators in the Hasely Crawford Stadium and, arguably, there were 180 minutes of silence today.
Read more: http://wired868.com/2013/12/06/cleon-holds-off-jabloteh-police-fc-cruises-past-rangers/

Offline Football supporter

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5209
    • View Profile
To be fair, Rangers had lots of chances with pacey attacks in numbers. But it was definitely like watching college football. The excellent approach plays were wasted by poor decision making or hesitation.
But there is no lack of talent in the Rangers forward line and next year they will be dynamite. Police were very average although Todd Ryan was his usual reliable self and I like the look of Christon Thomas.

Jabloteh were very similar to Rangers. By far the more attacking team with great moves spoiled by naivety in front of goal. However, as Lasana mentioned, Cleon John was superb as his defence leaked time after time. San Juan had a decent penalty well saved by John and he also made several very good saves.
I'm pretty sure that North East scored with their only real shot on target, being reduced to long range efforts most of the game.

I still don't understand how a Port  of Spain club can be so poorly supported. Nobody hates Rangers - they're a nice club with a great youth system Also, it's not a hard journey from San Juan to Hasely Crawford.  So why was there less than 50 people at the games?


Offline Deeks

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 18631
    • View Profile
FS, unfortunately the people who populate both sides of the savannah have no interest in sports. That is so unfortunate. The east side killing one another. The the west side drinking and partying to death. There were people who always wanted to break the stronghold that POS had on football. Well, they got their wish.

Offline Coop's

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 4066
    • View Profile
FS, unfortunately the people who populate both sides of the savannah have no interest in sports. That is so unfortunate. The east side killing one another. The the west side drinking and partying to death. There were people who always wanted to break the stronghold that POS had on football. Well, they got their wish.
     Deeks POS might have had a stranglehold on Football but the people of POS was never really together,it's one of the reasons every area had it's own team,right around the Savannah had eight teams but who were their supporters,who supported Shamrock, Casuals, Providence, Midvale etc etc .
    In a previous post when FS spoke about a POS team and i said it will not happen this is what i was talking about,POS is a funny place although it may have communities they are not together in the true sense as we know it like those who don't live there eg St James is St James not POS,Deigo Matin is Deigo Martin not POS,now look at Tunapuna,Point Fortin,Chaguanas etc etc 

Offline Football supporter

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5209
    • View Profile
FS, unfortunately the people who populate both sides of the savannah have no interest in sports. That is so unfortunate. The east side killing one another. The the west side drinking and partying to death. There were people who always wanted to break the stronghold that POS had on football. Well, they got their wish.
     Deeks POS might have had a stranglehold on Football but the people of POS was never really together,it's one of the reasons every area had it's own team,right around the Savannah had eight teams but who were their supporters,who supported Shamrock, Casuals, Providence, Midvale etc etc .
    In a previous post when FS spoke about a POS team and i said it will not happen this is what i was talking about,POS is a funny place although it may have communities they are not together in the true sense as we know it like those who don't live there eg St James is St James not POS,Deigo Matin is Deigo Martin not POS,now look at Tunapuna,Point Fortin,Chaguanas etc etc 

That's the same reason there isn't a London United, or just one team in Bristol, Birmingham, Stoke, Liverpool, Manchester etc. Stockport will never be Liverpool, Port Vale will never be Stoke. But a West P.o.S team could represent St James, Diego and even Carenage!

 

1]; } ?>