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Offline Flex

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Connection back to winning as National Security officials halted; Caledonia, Central share a point each.
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Worrying suspensions, indiscipline, penalty strikes, a lot of frame and a red card where highlights of Friday as Round Two of the 2013/2014 Digicel Pro League kicked off with a double header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

Leaders DIRECTV W Connection, were in a jolly mood though, extending their lead at the top of the standings with 23 points, by defeating Police FC 2-1 in the opening clash, ending a two match winless streak, and remaining unbeaten after nine league matches.

And in the second match on the night, mid-table Caledonia AIA and Central FC played to a 1-1 draw with the “Sharks” head coach Terry Fenwick absent on personal leave.

Meanwhile, it was double disappointment for Police. The “Lawmen” seated second with 13 points on the standings prior to kick-off, dropped two positions into fourth, are likely to receive official notice of a suspension of all sporting activities until further notice due to an alarming number of murders in recent days.
 
Already defending league champions Defence Force (also a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of National Security) have received a stand-down order on all sporting activities.

The directive is linked the Trinidad and Tobago Government’s reaction to gruesome spate of 22 murders to date in 2014.

Defence Force, on a bye this weekend, and Police were hampered by a limited State of Emergency (SoE) issued by the same Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration back in 2011 (August - November).

At that the time the Ross Russell coached Defence Force were the reigning champions and had to play catch-up in the second half of the 2011/2012 season with a packed schedule and only managed to lift the Digicel Pro Bowl knockout title.

The following season, without interruption, the Tetron-based club stormed back to win the 2012/2013 League title; but now stares a similar problem in trying to defend their title, and even worse, their chances of qualifying for the Concacaf Champions League.

Defence Force, along with Caledonia, are scheduled to represent T&T in the Caribbean qualifying to the 2014/2015 CCL, which should begin in less than two months.

In a media statement on Friday, civil military affairs officer Major Al Alexander advised that “with immediate effect, all Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force’s involvement in national, regional and community type/level sporting activities is suspended in favour of the operational exigencies of the service and because of the particular requirements that our personnel are expected to satisfy.

“This self-imposed suspension will last as long as is deemed necessary by the Force.”

Alexander later added that the move was taken to “lend support to the police in the fight against crime.”

As for Police, the Richard Hood coached “Lawmen” are probably having their best showing in recent years, and inactivity now could lead to extreme disappointment.

Hood’s side took a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute of play when a deflected Elijah Belgrave strike found its way past an unfortunate Connection goalkeeper Julani Archibald.

Two minutes later Archibald had to produce a save, gloving behind a well struck Trent Noel free-kick.

However, Connection reminded their opponents that they are the undefeated leaders, and this season’s Digicel Charity Shield, Toyota Classic and FA Trophy champions, by levelling the score 1-1 in the 31st minute.

After striker Hashim Arcia slipped on a great opportunity in the 25th minute, and strike partner Shahdon Winchester shaved the crossbar after meeting a low Jerrel Britto cross, Connection finally got the equaliser.

In the same minute that Police winger Akiba Peters whisked an effort inches high of the far upper corner, Connection’s Neil Benjamin Jr. struck past goalkeeper Adrian Foncette and into the far netting.

Winchester had another look at goal in the 45th minute following a decent build-up, but failed to take the advantage into the dressing rooms after curling an attempt just high of the crossbar.

And less than a minute inside the second period Britto’s strike from close range off a well-placed Benjamin pass was miraculously cleared off the line by defender Christon Thomas. The rebound was directed into the net by Benjamin; however the speedy Connection winger was already in an offside position.

Even left-back Kurt Frederick joined the excitement and had a go at goal from distance in the 50th minute, forcing a corner out of Foncette.

Four minutes later Foncette acrobatically guided wide a blast from Connection right-back Alvin Jones, who was getting down the line on too many occasions for Hood’s liking.

Jones’ older brother midfielder Joevin Jones (both fathered by former Police coach, Alvin Jones) and defender Mekeil Williams were both omitted from the squad prior to the start. Connection head coach Stuart Charles Fevrier had taken the disciplinary action after the pair opted not to travel with the team bus for the Round Two Match Day One fixture.

Connection later took a 2-1 lead, and the eventual final score, in the 70th minute from the penalty spot.

Britto won his side the penalty when he was upended just inside the area by Thomas in the clear view of referee Gyasi Mc Donald, who pointed to the spot. Connection captain and defensive midfielder Gerard Williams then stepped up and converted comfortably past Foncette.

Williams got forward again, this time threading a diagonal pass to Benjamin, who stuck the crossbar in the 84th minute. And in the 89th minute, Police left-back Dexter Alleyne unbelievably cleared off the line, a lobbed Hashim Arcia effort, which had goalkeeper Foncette beaten, off a Benjamin cross.

In the second match, Jason Marcano handed Central a 1-0 advantage three minutes before the break when his first-time strike, on a patient Johan Peltier pass inside the area, stunned the Morvant/Laventille club, especially goalkeeper Shemel Louison.

Lousion was later involved in a collision with Central forward Dwight Quintero and there was some concern whether or not the Grenadian international would have continued after the break. But to the relief of Caledonia coach Jamaal Shabazz, without a second choice goalie since the sacking of Glenroy Samuel over a month ago, Louison rallied for the entire duration of the match.

Caledonia had a few good opportunities to find the back of the net in the first half. First Nathan Lewis guided an Akim Armstrong cross across the face of goal and out for a corner.

Then from point blank range in the 28th minute, Caledonia left-back Aubrey David directed a header at goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams, who did well to put it behind, off a Noel Williams' corner. And in the 39th minute Armstrong’s left footed spank took a slight deflection to fly over-bar.

The Shabazz coached-outfit continued in the 48th minute with Densill Theobald spilling wide of the far post and in the 52nd goalkeeper Williams had to glove behind an Aubrey David header.

Caledonia finally levelled the scoring 1-1 in the 56th minute with a converted penalty by Theobald after referee Neil Brizan awarded the kick following a push on A. David by former teammate Ataullah Guerra in the middle of the penalty area.

Goalkeeper Williams later kept Central in the game by pulling off a magnificent save to measure substitute Tyrone Charles' free kick from 26 yards out.

Central's goalposts were under threat again in the 66th minute when Theobald blasted a volley just wide on the first touch of a Marcus Ambrose cross. The 2006 World Cup midfielder missed out again in the 83rd minute with a reflex attempt off a wise Jamal Gay cross which Williams did well to make a shutout.

Central, which lost central defender Jamal Jack in the 93rd minute to a direct red card following a sliding tackle on late Caledonia substitute Keyon Edwards, would have rued a missed chance by Quintero in the 25th minute.

Quintero, who had two early attempts, wasted a free header wide after meeting a Jason Marcano cross, which was flicked on by Kaydion Gabriel.

By the end of the match, Caledonia climbed three spots into second, but tied with North East Stars, Police, Central and Defence Force all on 13 points.

On Saturday St. Ann’s Rangers and San Juan Jabloteh will tackle each other in a bottom of the table tie from 3.30 pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium, and simultaneously at the Mahaica Oval, home side Point Fortin Civic hosts North East Stars.

Digicel Pro League 2013/2014 Round Two Match Day One Friday’s Results

Police FC 1 – 2 W Connection
Elijah Belgrave 14'  ;  Neil Benjamin Jr. 31', Gerard Williams 70' (PEN)

Caledonia AIA 1—1 Central FC
Jason Marcano 42'  ;  Densill Theobald 56' (PEN)

Saturday’s Fixtures

Larry Gomes Stadium
St. Ann’s Rangers vs San Juan Jabloteh – 3.30 pm

Mahaica Oval, Point Fortin
Point Fortin Civic vs North East Stars – 3.30 pm

Teams

Police FC—18. Adrian Foncette,  21. Todd Ryan (C), 6. Kenaz Williams (Yellow Card), 4. Karlon Murray (Yellow Card), 2. Jasimar Ashers, 8. Akiba Peters, 10. Trent Noel (15. Jameel Perry 76th), 17. Dexter Alleyne, 19. Christon Thomas, 20. Elijah Belgrave (5. Anton Hutchinson 80th), 39. Joel Kevin Lewis (36. Clevon McFee 62nd)

Unused substitutes—31. Theon Browne (GK), 25. Kemron Purcell, 12. Vernell Ramirez, 26. Wendell Joseph

Coach—Richard Hood
 
W Connection—18. Julani Archibald, 3. Gerard Williams (C), 25. Christian Viveros (Yellow Card), 14. Hashim Arcia, 39. Alvin Jones, 65. Neil Benjamin Jr., 4. Daneil Cyrus, 7. Silvio Spann (11. Tremain Shayn Paul 80th), 16. Shahdon Winchester (19. Leslie Joel Russell 81st), 31. Jerrel Britto (40. Jomol Williams 76th), 2. Kurt Frederick

Unused substitutes—13. Devaughn Elliot, 22. Aquelius Sylvester (GK), 17. Jamal Clarence, 29. Mickaeel Jem Gordon

Coach—Stuart Charles Fevrier

Teams

Caledonia AIA—1. Shemel Louison, 2. Aubrey David, 3. Nuru Abdullah Muhammad, 7. Stephan David  (C) (Yellow Card), 17. Akim Armstrong, 20. Noel Williams, 21. Densill Theobald, 23. Jamal Gay (9. Keyon Edwards 85th), 6. Marcus Ambrose, 8. Keron Bethelmy (16. Tyrone Charles 46th), 27. Nathan Lewis

Unused substitutes—19. Nical Stephens, 5. Akeem Thomas, 18. Ralph Lundy, 18. Abdallah Phillips, 13. Julian Wade

Coach—Jamaal Shabazz

Central FC— 21. Jan-Michael Williams, 10. Marvin Oliver (C) (Yellow Card), 2. Elton John, 22. Keon Trim (17. Rundell Winchester 60th), 9. Dwight Quintero (23. Hector Sam 94th) 12. Jamal Jack, 13. Johan Peltier (11. Darren Mitchell 77th), 24. Akeem Benjamin, 15. Kaydion Gabriel, 7. Jason Marcano, 45. Ataullah Guerra

Unused substitutes—16. Javon Sample (GK), 5. Julio Noel, 18. Kevon Goddard, 20. Nicholas Dillon

Assistant Coach— Marc Leslie

« Last Edit: January 11, 2014, 12:23:14 PM by Flex »
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Offline Tiresais

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Re: Connection back to winning; Caledonia, Central share a point each.
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2014, 01:21:44 PM »
Good report :) How comes Marc Leslie was at the game and not Fenwick?

Offline amielisadore

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Re: Connection back to winning; Caledonia, Central share a point each.
« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2014, 01:27:42 PM »
Good report :) How comes Marc Leslie was at the game and not Fenwick?

Fenwick was absent for family reasons so his Assistant Leslie took his place in the interim.

Offline Tiresais

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Re: Connection back to winning; Caledonia, Central share a point each.
« Reply #3 on: January 11, 2014, 01:37:35 PM »
Thanks :)

Offline Sam

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Re: Connection back to winning; Caledonia, Central share a point each.
« Reply #4 on: January 11, 2014, 02:14:06 PM »
Yohance Marshall didn't play?

Joevin training he brother well.

I hear Daneil Cyrus contact expiring soon too.

Good report by the league.

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Offline amielisadore

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Re: Connection back to winning; Caledonia, Central share a point each.
« Reply #5 on: January 11, 2014, 02:17:13 PM »
Yohance Marshall didn't play?

There was a hiccup with his international clearance and unfortunately it didn't come through in time to be eligible for that match

Offline SWF Reporter

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Connection edges Police to stay unbeaten; Caledonia holds Central
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868)

Two draws in successive matches for DIRECTV W Connection turned out to be a blip after all. Yesterday evening, the current Pro League leaders returned to winning ways with a 2-1 win over Police FC at the Hasely Crawford Stadium to stretch its lead in the top flight to 9 points.
No such luck for Central FC though as the “Couva Sharks” could only muster a 1-1 draw against Caledonia AIA in the second match of a Hasely Crawford double header.
Central has taken just six points from a possible 18 with three draws and one win from its last six games. Coach Terry Fenwick was not there to lead his troops on this occasion as the former England World Cup player had taken “passionate leave” to tie the knot with his fiancée.
Fenwick apart, there has probably been a bit too much tying by Central these days.
In the Sharks’ last eight games against Pro League opposition in all competitions, Central recorded just one win—against table proppers St Ann’s Rangers—to go with three draws and four losses.
To be fair, though, yesterday’s result would probably go down as one point gained rather than two lost for the Sharks. Central FC custodian and Trinidad and Tobago international stand-out Jan-Michael Williams was in top form as he repeatedly denied Caledonia players, including Aubrey David, Densill Theobald, Akim Armstrong and Tyrone Charles, with a string of impressive reflex saves to salvage the draw.
Before kick-off, Brooklyn-based football enthusiast Earl “Mango” Pierre presented a new pair of boots to veteran Central captain Marvin Oliver for his service to the game.
But it was Central’s former captain, Jason Marcano, who opened the scoring in the 42nd minute with a quick swivel and stab into the far corner after a cross from Johan Peltier.
Read more: http://wired868.com/2014/01/11/connection-edges-police-to-stay-unbeaten-caledonia-holds-central/

 

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