10-man Central beat leaders Connection, Caesar strike keeps Stars within top.

[Flex]

10-man Central fuels excitement with 3-0 derby win over Connection.
ttproleague.com.

Three first half goals, a red card, and a possibility of a ruined farewell party, were all part of the drama during Friday's Couva-derby between bitter town-rivals W Connection and Central FC, which finished 3-0 in favour of the "Sharks".

More so fueling the excitement of the final stretch of this season's league title, in which the winner receives $1,000,000.

Connection, with 37 points and a game in hand at the top of the 2013/2014 Digicel Pro League standings, maintained its position, but had its lead sliced to just five points by the end of the Round Three Match Day Two double header at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Earlier, North East Stars edged eight positioned San Juan Jabloteh 1-0 to move second with 32 points, but slipped into third by the end of the second match.

Central, also with 32 points, returned to second with a better goal-difference, while fourth are Point Fortin Civic (29 points), who will face reigning champs and fifth positioned Defence Force (23 points) from 6 pm on Sunday at the very same Couva venue.

A superb 23-yard free-kick, around the wall and fitting just inside goalkeeper Julani Archibald's upright, by 38-year-old Central midfielder and captain, Marvin Oliver, handed his side a 1-0 advantage by the 18th minute.

And by the same minute in the earlier match, striker Trevin Caesar, between two spectator-like defenders, headed powerfully past goalkeeper Shane Mattis off a perfect Kaashif Thomas cross from the right to hand the Angus Eve coached North East Stars a 1-0 advantage and the eventual winner with his eleventh league goal this season.
 
But by the 20th minute in the feature match, Ataullah Guerra doubled Central’s advantage with a laser from above the area, hitting the inside of the right upright before the ball nestled into the left netting.
 
The Terry Fenwick coached-Central surprised again for a 3-0 score by the 29th minute, against a side that defeated them 1-0 in Round One of the league and 6-5 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the Final of the FA Trophy this season.

Striker Willis Plaza, notched his seventh goal since joining the "Sharks" in January, with a simple finish from close-up after defender Mekeil Williams failed to clear a cross from the left by Jason Marcano.

There were moments of concern for Central though. Midfielder Darren Mitchell failed to continue past the 10th minute, after picking up an injury to his right upper leg in contest with Shahdon Winchester three minutes earlier.

Mitchell was replaced by striker Dwight Quintero, and Central, backed by the captivating sounds of its rhythm posse, and hundreds of spectators that turned up, didn't fail to deliver.

Then when goalscorer Guerra was shown his second yellow card – an automatic red – in the 44th minute for dissent after a call against him by referee Rodphin Harris, Central were made to defend their advantage.

The "Sharks" did so successfully with defenders Jamal Jack, Elton John, Yohance Marshall and Keion Goodridge. Even with Connection coach Stuart Charles Fevrier unleashing his Suriname strike duo of Stefano Rijssel and Dimitrie Apai following the break.

Meanwhile, Shahdon Winchester, who possibly played his final match in W Connection strip before returning to Finland with FF Jaro later this month, clearly had his going away party spoiled.

But the 22-year-old wasn't short of a fighting performance.

Coming off a double in his previous match, Shahdon Winchester was eager to get on the scoresheet, forcing goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams into action just seconds into the match.

Williams had to make a low gather against the striker again in the 23rd minute, and five minutes later he struck the side netting.

Three minutes from time the speedy forward was denied when his looped effort against a committed-Williams at the near post was cleared behind by defender Marshall.

Then in stoppage time, Apai struck over-bar on receiving a neat through-ball by S. Winchester.

Central, who defeated the "Savonnetta Boys" 4-2 on penalties following a goalless semi-final round meet en route to lifting the First Citizens Cup and drew 2-2 in Round Two of the league this season, had three late unsuccessful attempts by Plaza.

But it was substitute Quintero that wasted the best opportunity of the half near the hour mark, when his poor touch inside the area, on a brilliant deep pass from Rundell Winchester, sent the ball out of play with goalkeeper Archibald at his mercy.

In the earlier match, goalscorer Caesar had three bites at goal in quick succession on the 8th minute of play, but struck over-bar on the final attempt after block-outs by goalkeeper Mattis and defender Dwane James.

But his item, ten minutes later, was enough to hold off Jabloteh and a few former Stars’ players – Kerry Baptiste, Jean-Luc Rochford , Micah Lewis, and substitute Marcus Gomez.

Jabloteh, stuck with 11 points from 17 matches in eight position, are eight points ahead of cellar positioned St. Ann’s Rangers.

The St. Ann’s club will take to the field on Saturday 15 March, when they face sixth positioned Police FC from 4 pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium.

Digicel Pro League 2013/2014 Round Three Match Day Two

Friday's results, at the Ato Boldon Stadium

San Juan Jabloteh 0—1 North East Stars
Trevin Caesar 18'

W Connection 0—3 Central FC
Marvin Oliver, 18', Ataullah Guerra 20', Willis Plaza 29'

Teams

San Juan Jabloteh—30. Shane Mattis, 10. Kerry Baptiste (C), 18. Jevon Morris, 24. Kareem Smith, 4. Jean-Luc Rochford, 16. Nyron Jones (23. Marcus Gomez 46th) (Yellow Card), 25. Alfie James (17. Kerry Daniel 65th), 2. Duran Dilworth, 15. Micah Lewis, 20. Dwane James, 8. Bradley Welch (7. Rennie Britto 76th)

Unused substitutes—19. Dillon Kirton, 9. Jelani Felix, 21. Neil Mitchell, 5. Mudassa Howe

Coach—Keith Jeffrey

North East Stars—22. Cleon John (C), 5. Aquil Selby, 7. Elijah Manners, 15. Chike Sullivan, 18. Kaashif Thomas (8. Keron Cummings 61st), 19. Glenton Wolfe, 20. Trevin Caesar (48. Jesus Perez 88th), 23. Kennedy Hinkson (Yellow Card), 25. Keryn Navarro, 6. Jeromie Williams (Yellow Card) (41. Neveal Hackshaw 72nd), 12. Jayson Joseph

Unused substitutes—1. Stephan Berkeley (GK), 9. Akiel Guevara, 16. Franz Husbands, 40. Jomoul Francis

Coach—Angus Eve

Match Referee—Cecil Hinds

Teams

W Connection—18. Julani Archibald, 3. Gerard Williams (C), 4. Daneil Cyrus, 7. Silvio Spann (Yellow Card) (40. Jomol Williams 67th) (Yellow Card), 2. Kurt Frederick, 10. Joevin Jones, 12. Jerrel Britto (20. Stefano Rijssel 46th), 14. Hashim Arcia (32. Demitrie Apai  46th), 15. Mekeil Williams (Yellow Card), 39. Alvin Jones, 16. Shahdon Winchester

Unused substitutes—19. Leslie Joel Russell, 22. Aquelius Sylvester (GK), 25. Christian Viveros, 13. Devaughn Elliot

Coach—Stuart Charles Fevrier

Central FC—21. Jan-Michael Williams, 1. Willis Plaza, 2. Elton John (Yellow Card), 3. Keion Goodridge, 7. Jason Marcano, 10. Marvin Oliver (C), 11. Darren Mitchell (9. Dwight Quintero 12th) (24. Akeem Benjamin 89th),12. Jamal Jack, 17. Rundell Winchester (6. Leston Paul 77th), 50. Yohance Marshall, 45. Ataullah Guerra (Yellow Card+Yellow Card=Red Card)

Unused substitutes—25. Javon Sample (GK), 4. Sean de Silva, 15. Kaydion Gabriel, 22. Keion Trim

Coach—Terry Fenwick

Match Referee—Rodphin Harris

[SWF Reporter]

Central clobbers Connection; Stars edge Jabloteh
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868)

It is too early to say that the Pro League title race was re-opened but there was certainly a rumble at the top of the table last night as second placed Central FC clobbered league leader DIRECTV W Connection 3-0 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

Three goals in ten astonishing minutes during the first half proved insurmountable for Connection even though the “Savonetta Boys” had a numerical advantage for close to 50 minutes after notoriously card-happy referee Rodphin Harris showed a controversial red card to Central midfielder and “Soca Warrior” Ataullah Guerra.

Earlier at the same venue yesterday, North East Stars edged San Juan Jabloteh 1-0 to move within five points of Connection after another clinical Trevin Caesar goal.

Stars midfielder Kaashif Thomas whipped a cross into the penalty area from the right flank that found Caesar criminally unmarked between Jabloteh defenders Dwane Smith and Kareem Smith. And
Caesar’s firm header into the corner gave Jabloteh goalkeeper Shane Mattis no chance.

Jean-Luc Rochford threatened from set pieces while Jabloteh captain Kerry Baptiste, restored after a lengthy period on the sidelines, had one hopeful penalty shout out after a collision with opposing defender Elijah Manners. But Stars were worth the three points in the end.

Notably, referee Cecile Hinds produced a near impeccable performance She was attentive enough to get the little decisions right, which win the trust of the players; and secure enough to not view every trace of emotion from players as personal insults.

The local team desperately needs similar improvement from its officials as evidence from yesterday’s second game when Harris, a soldier by profession, again displayed his squeamish view of discipline and dissent with two soft bookings to Guerra after non-malicious attempts to win the ball. The second card was apparently handed out after the international playmaker questioned Harris’ decision.

Central coach Terry Fenwick moaned in the past about being targeted by officials and, on Wired868’s Facebook forum, he pointedly wondered whether Connection benefited from its owner David John Williams’ status within the local game.

In the eight meetings between the clubs since Fenwick joined the “Couva Sharks”, there have been five red cards and all were flashed at Central employees.

But Connection had reason to be aggrieved yesterday too as Harris also showed a soft caution to Connection defender Mekeil Williams after a challenge on Central attacker Dwight Quintero while the decision to overrule a second half time item from substitute Dimitrie Apai was, arguably, marginal.

Read More

[maxg]

Ammmm...Horner giving ah match report ?

[Football supporter]

In the eight meetings between the clubs since Fenwick joined the “Couva Sharks”, there have been five red cards and all were flashed at Central employees. 

[Tiresais]

In the eight meetings between the clubs since Fenwick joined the “Couva Sharks”, there have been five red cards and all were flashed at Central employees. 

Conspiracy! Or Fenwick's playing style? :p

[Football supporter]

In the eight meetings between the clubs since Fenwick joined the “Couva Sharks”, there have been five red cards and all were flashed at Central employees. 

Conspiracy! Or Fenwick's playing style? :p

Well, before anything, the players have to learn to be smarter. Many cards are self inflicted.

But here's a thought: Connection hassled Harris to give Guerra another card on Friday. This is, to me distasteful, but all teams do it, including Central. But think! If you're 3-0 down after 30 minutes, you can still win. (Especially since Connection came from 2-0 at 88 minutes to draw 2-2 last time these teams played). But any player would know that if a team is winning and goes down to 10 men, that team will park the bus. Central played for 77 mins vs Connection earlier in the season and they couldn't win. So, by encouraging a red card, they actually made their task much harder!

Again, all teams do this, including Central, but maybe it's time for coaches to educate their teams to think before they act!!

[Tiresais]

In the eight meetings between the clubs since Fenwick joined the “Couva Sharks”, there have been five red cards and all were flashed at Central employees. 

Conspiracy! Or Fenwick's playing style? :p

Well, before anything, the players have to learn to be smarter. Many cards are self inflicted.

But here's a thought: Connection hassled Harris to give Guerra another card on Friday. This is, to me distasteful, but all teams do it, including Central. But think! If you're 3-0 down after 30 minutes, you can still win. (Especially since Connection came from 2-0 at 88 minutes to draw 2-2 last time these teams played). But any player would know that if a team is winning and goes down to 10 men, that team will park the bus. Central played for 77 mins vs Connection earlier in the season and they couldn't win. So, by encouraging a red card, they actually made their task much harder!

Again, all teams do this, including Central, but maybe it's time for coaches to educate their teams to think before they act!!

Agreed - referees are caught in the middle though. Everyone agrees we should respect referees, but as soon as a dodgy decision is taken against their team they're screaming bloody murder. Before we can even get there we need players and fans to understand that referees are fallible human beings who will get things wrong, even things that seem obvious to you sitting 10 metres off the ground at a more favourable angle.

[Tallman]

W-Connection vs Central FC: FULL GAME - March 14, 2014

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/YPd59Y6ccMU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/YPd59Y6ccMU</a>

[Football supporter]

Just continuing the debate about Central F.C. red cards, you can see from the first 30 minutes why players get frustrated with referees.

Around 6.30 Darren Mitchell is fouled. The offending player makes contact with Mitchell's ankle, almost like a stamp. Ref gives a foul, but no card. Mitchell has to retire through this injury after trying to play on.

23.30  Guerra gets a yellow. No doubt it's a foul, but it is nothing like as dangerous as the tackle on Mitchell. It could be simply accumulation of fouls, but then why has this same "rule" not applied to other players?

23.48 Bad challenge on Quintero receives no card.

25.06 Elton John receives yellow. Probably a fair decision, but I do not believe that John played the man but was just clumsy. Different to the tackles on Mitchell and Quintero.

26.01 Guerra is clearly fouled twice. First time you may allow an advantage. This happens right in front of the referee's assistant.

27.50 Guerra makes a challenge and wins ball. Referee awards foul. Guerra is still vexed. Connection player talking to ref. Guerra red carded. He apparently cussed at the ref, but he's not even facing the ref! However, Guerra definitely cusses out of frustration. Connection player applauds refs decision.
Marvin Oliver, as Captain, approaches ref and protests strongly and receives yellow card.

Players will get frustrated with inconsistent refereeing. If anybody can watch the first 30 minutes and see things different, please tell me! Players foul, players cuss, players cheat. But you cannot as a referee ignore the frustrations of players. You should maybe take the captain aside and appeal for calm. You should talk to players and explain why you are making these decisions.
Oliver may have been overly exuberant with the ref, but how can a player talk to the ref and applaud a sending off and you not get vexed with that?

Just shows that referees need to consider their own actions and how they influence the players reactions.