2014 Lucozade Sport Goal Shield Thread.

[Flex]

Rangers, Jabloteh kick off Goal Shield
T&T Express Reports.

THE Lucozade Sport Goal Shield knockout football tournament kicks off today with a qualifying match, meant to eliminate one of the nine local Pro League teams.

Today, St Ann’s Rangers will meet San Juan Jabloteh from 4 p.m. at the Larry Gomes Stadium, with the winners moving onto the quarter-final stage on Saturday against defending champions Directv W Connection.

The quarter-final round kicks off tomorrow with a double-header at Ato Boldon Stadium, where Central FC face 2012 champions Caledonia AIA from 6 p.m., while two hours later 2010 winners North East Stars come up against two-time defeated finalists Defence Force.

On Saturday, Connection face the playoff winners between Rangers and Jabloteh from 5 p.m., while two hours later Point Fortin Civic meet Police FC.

Last year, Connection won 4-3 on penalty kicks over North East Stars, following a goalless draw at Marvin Lee Stadium.

W Connection have already won the Digicel Charity Shield, Toyota Classic and FA Trophy this year. They currently also lead the Digicel Pro League and want to win a third Goal Shield as well.

Yesterday, the tournament was launched at Capital Plaza in Port of Spain, where a $90,000 sponsorship was announced by Lucozade producers GlaxoSmithKline.

This season’s edition will see the winners take away $30,000, while the runners-up will win $10,000. An incentive prize of $3,000 is also offered for every goal scored in the final; $2,000 for every goal scored in the semi-final, and $1,000 for every goal scored in the quarter-final round.

“May the 2014 Lucozade Sport Goal Shield tournament will be as competitive and as successful as it has been since inception (in 2009),” stated Nicole Stroude-Sandiford of the marketing division of GlaxoSmithKline at the launch.

[soccerrama]

FIXTURES UPDATE

Point now playing Defence Force & North East playing Police

Thursday 3rd April 2014
4pm Larry Gomes Stadium
San Juan Jabloteh vs St. Ann's Rangers/Playoff


Friday 4th April 2014
6pm Ato Boldon Stadium
Central FC vs Caledonia AIA
8pm
Point Fortin FC vs Defence Force


Saturday 5th April 2014
5pm Ato Boldon Stadium
W Connection   vs Jabloteh/Rangers
7pm
North East Stars vs Police FC

[Flex]

FIXTURES UPDATE

Point now playing Defence Force & North East playing Police

Thursday 3rd April 2014
4pm Larry Gomes Stadium
San Juan Jabloteh vs St. Ann's Rangers/Playoff


Friday 4th April 2014
6pm Ato Boldon Stadium
Central FC vs Caledonia AIA
8pm
Point Fortin FC vs Defence Force


Saturday 5th April 2014
5pm Ato Boldon Stadium
W Connection   vs Jabloteh/Rangers
7pm
North East Stars vs Police FC

Lord farther, even that they can't get right, fixtures changing everyday.

League, competition, you name it.

Real poor admin.

[Flex]

Jabloteh beat Rangers for QF spot against W Connection.
ttproleague.com.

Midfielders Jean-Luc Rochford and Micah Lewis scored on either side of the break on Thursday to lead San Juan Jabloteh to a 2-0 play-off win over St. Ann’s Rangers to advance into the quarter-final round of the 2014 Lucozade Sport Goal Shield.

The San Juan club advances to meet defending champions and two-time winners W Connection on Saturday from 5 pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium in QF A, followed by 2010 winners North East Stars against Police FC in QF C from 7 pm.

However the round will kick off on Friday at the Couva venue when Central FC meets Caledonia AIA in QF B from 6 pm, and tournament-debuting Point Fortin Civic against two-time defeated finalists Defence Force in QF D from 8 pm.

“We have some friends at Central in (former players) Marvin Oliver and Ataullah Guerra, and we love to play and compete against them,” said Caledonia AIA coach Jamaal Shabazz during Wednesday’s launch of the Lucozade Sport Goal Shield at Capital Plaza in Port of Spain.

This season's edition, the unique tournament, based on its cash for goals incentive, will see the winners take away an increased base prize, from $20,000 to $30,000 and $3,000 for every goal scored in the Final, $2,000 for every goal scored in the semi-final, and $1,000 for every goal scored in the quarter-final round.

While the runners-up prize structure pays out a $10,000 base amount and $1,500 for every goal scored in the Final, $1,000 for every goal scored in the semi-final, and $500 for every goal scored in the quarter-final round.

There are also cash incentives for the leading goal-scorer, most outstanding player, most outstanding coach, and the “Lucozade Sport Goal Pot” for spectators from the semi-final round.

“We are looking forward to a very exciting game,” said Central FC head coach Terry Fenwick.

He also suggested the need for top refereeing, adding, “Our game will be tremendous, because Jamaal is quite right, ‘we don’t like each other’, and across that sideline there would be friction and fire, so make sure the game is right and we’d come out with top result.”

Meanwhile Defence Force head coach Ross Russell said it’s a great opportunity for his troubled side.

“We are looking to get what we can right now,” he said. “The Lucozade Sport Goal Shield came at the right time, because we are really thirsty for (a title) because we haven’t won anything all season and are only now catching a bit of form. “

At the Larry Gomes Stadium on Thursday afternoon Jabloteh booked themselves into the tournament quarter-final round by getting the better of Rangers a fourth time this season.

While Rangers led by coach Anthony Streete in his first match as caretaker – the position he took up 15 days ago – of his former club, must prepare again for Jabloteh in under a week, as both teams are expected to meet on Tuesday in Round Three Match Day Six of the Digicel Pro League.

Rangers were trailing 0-1 from as early as the 5th minute when a well-placed Rochford free-kick from 24-yards out clipped the inside of the upper corner before nestling into back of goalkeeper Akel Clarke’s net.

Two minutes earlier Clarke was spared when Neil Mitchell squandered on a one-on-one, and two minutes inside the second period Kerry Baptiste’s header off Rochford’s corner crashed off the Rangers crossbar.

But in the 61st minute Clarke was beaten again for a 2-0 Jabloteh cushion when Lewis received a Baptiste pass, ran into the area, and finished low into the right corner.

Clarke, however, was brilliant in the 76th minute, pushing over-bar an ambitious Jamal Spencer strike from outside the area.

On the opposite end, Jabloteh’s 18-year-old Shundelle Myers, in first appearance with the senior team due to goalkeeping woes, was forced into action once, tipping wide a Jelani Peters free-kick in the 24th minute. He later watched a Kadeem Corbin effort go wide in the 88th minute, but surely, his true test should come against Connection on Saturday once selected.   

2014 Lucozade Sport Goal Shield Play-off result

San Juan Jabloteh 2—0 St. Ann’s Rangers
Jean-Luc Rochford 5’, Micah Lewis 61’

Quarter Final Round Friday 4 April

Ato Boldon Stadium

Central FC vs Caledonia AIA (QF B)—6 pm
Point Fortin Civic vs Defence Force (QF D)—8 pm

Saturday 5 April

Ato Boldon Stadium

W Connection vs San Juan Jabloteh (QF A)—5 pm
North East Stars vs Police FC (QF C)—7 pm

Semi-Final Round Friday 11 April

Ato Boldon Stadium

Winner A vs Winner D

Winner B vs Winner C

Final Friday 25 April

Ato Boldon Stadium

Teams

San Juan Jabloteh—30. Shundelle Myers, 10. Kerry Baptiste (C) (9. Jelani Felix 81st), 24. Kareem Smith, 12. Jamal Spencer, 19. Dillon Kirton, 20. Dwayne James, 4. Jean-Luc Rochford, 2. Duran Dilworth (7. Rennie Britto 66th), 21. Neil Mitchell (23. Marcus Gomez 66th), 16. Nyron Jones (Yellow Card+Yellow Card), 15. Micah Lewis

Unused substitutes—1. Kevin Dodds (GK), 13. Savion Kirton, 17. Kerry Daniel, 6. Dario Holmes

Coach—Keith Jeffrey

St. Ann’s Rangers—1. Akel Clarke, 4. Jelani Peters (C), 7. Jemel Berot, 10. Kennedy Isles, 14. Michael Yaw Darko (26. Josh Toussaint 87th), 23. Trevin Latapy, 28. Kadeem Corbin, 33. Isaiah Mc Intyre, 39. Shaquille Moses, 44. Sedale McLean (31. Jameel Antoine 71st), 51. Keron Cornwall

Unused substitutes—12. Tevin Gilkes, 16. Keron Alexander, 18. Ryan Porter, 25. Terrence Lewis (GK), 49. Chad Clinton

Coach—Anthony Streete

[Football supporter]

Central F.C. 4 - 0 Caledonia AIA  6pm Ato Boldon

Not much to say here. Central rested several players including Oliver, Marcano, Winchester, Peltier & Paul. Not sure if this was Caledonia's first choice 11.
Plaza collected the ball in the 14th minute in Caledonia's box with two defenders around him. As they attempted to dispossess him, one gave Plaza a slight tap which was enough for him to go down in the box. Very soft penalty which was clearly down to Plaza's cleverness to invite the foul. But some refs wouldn't give it.
Plaza took the penalty 1-0. Second goal came from a beautiful cross from Delice in the 43rd minute on the right which found Plaza with enough time and space to collect the ball and pick his spot.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152324746472095
Third goal came from Guerra's run behind the defence in the 83rd minute to calmly slot the ball home.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152324942727095
Then, in the 90th minute, a beautiful build up saw de Silva backheel a pass to Mitchell who was brought down by the keeper. Marvin Oliver converted the penalty (having replaced Plaza around 70 minutes)
Caledonia really didn't give much trouble. Same two teams will meet again on Tuesday in the Pro League and if Central field their regular starting line up, you wonder how Caledonia will fare.

Defence Force 1 - 1 Point Fortin Civic (Point won penalty shoot out 5-4) 8pm Ato Boldon

Much more exciting game with Civic out for revenge after losing a 2-0 lead to Defence Force during the week. Point came out looking good again and hit the woodwork twice (the shot from Civic was one of the best I've seen all season)
Point took the lead in the 41st minute when a header was stopped on the line but fell to Redhead to punt home. You really expected Civic to score more, but they kinda took their foot off the gas and allowed Army to take charge. Just after two decent Point attacks which were both wasted, Franklyn scored with a downward header which bounced over Akini Adams for the equaliser. Army had the momentum and it looked like Civic would again lose a game that they were winning, but they managed to hang on.
You'd fancy Army on penalties, but their 3rd kick was more of a pass to Adams than an attempt on goal. Civic scored all 5 kicks to the delight of their small, but vocal following.

[Flex]

Point didn't learn from their last game vs Army?

They were also leading and made them came back into the game and won.

Teams want to score early and protect one goal.

[Flex]

Plaza leads Central past Caledonia; Civic beats Army for semis spot.
ttproleague.com.

ATO BOLDON STADIUM, Couva – Led by a Willis Plaza double and comforted by second half goals from Ataullah Guerra and Marvin Oliver, Central FC cruised into the semi-final round of the 2014 Lucozade Sport Goal Shield with an impressive 4-0 win over Caledonia AIA on Friday night.

And in the second quarter-final on the night, tournament debutants Point Fortin Civic defeated Defence Force 4-3 on penalties following a thrilling 1-1 draw to advance into the semi-final round which will be contested on Friday 11 April at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Two saves from the spot by Civic’s second choice goalkeeper Akini Adams – brother of deceased former Trinidad and Tobago international Akeem Adams – denying Curtis Gonzales (in the third) and Corey Rivers (in the fifth), sent the two-time defeated LSGS Finalists Defence Force skidding out after earning a late hard-fought draw.

While Civic’s Marcus Joseph, Andre Toussaint, Andre Ettienne and Bevon Bass all found the back of the net against goalkeeper Kevin Graham, who had gloves to Joseph’s strike (in the first) but was beaten by power.

Civic had led the match 1-0 from the 41st minute when teenager Akeem Redhead’s laser off a rebound pierced between goalkeeper Kevin Graham and a defender.

Graham and company had done well initially keeping out Weslie John’s header from an Andre Toussaint corner but were left defeated by the follow-up strike.

The Point Fortin outfit were clearly out for revenge following last Tuesday’s disappointing 3-2 surrendering to the Defence Force after holding a two-goal cushion in the rescheduled Digicel Pro League fixture.

Coach Reynold Carrington’s men were inches shy of opening in style in the 18th minute after a left-footed rocket from Marcus Joseph from 25 yards out on the right crashed off the crossbar, and the rebound effort by Redhead was thwarted by Graham.

And by the 31st minute Graham’s frame shook again when a glancing header by John off Toussaint’s corner struck the crossbar.

The Defence Force number one was called upon again five minutes into the second period pulling off an excellent one-handed save to deny Toussaint who had a good look at goal following a neat pass inside the area by Joseph.

But ten minutes from time Defence Force were celebrating an equaliser after substitute Glynn Franklyn towered at the back post to head past Adams from a left-footed corner swung in by striker Devorn Jorsling.

Jorsling, who had a couple openings and a free-kick deflected just wide in the first half, failed to get the better of returning Civic captain and hard-tackling central defender Ettienne on the night.

Gonzales had coach Ross Russell’s charges’ second best effort on the night  from distance but inches high of the crossbar in the 23rd minute, and in stoppage time the midfielder, rushing in towards the back post, blasted high and wide off a low out-swinging Jemel Sebro cross.

However in the opening quarterfinal of the competition that provokes goal-scoring based on its unique prize money structure, Central surely weren’t shy of finding the back of the net.

Plaza converted from the spot against goalkeeper Shemel Louison in the 14th minute to give the “Sharks” an early 1-0 advantage after he was pulled down inside the area by defender Akeem Thomas with referee Mervyn Wallace spot on to blow for a penalty.

And two minutes before the break Plaza doubled his LSGS tally to put the score 2-0 when he took one touch on a well-placed Samuel Delice cross inside the six-yard area and fired left-footed past Louison.

Caledonia were lucky not to conceded again on the hour mark when Keion Trim curled a left-footed strike onto the near upright and a blast from the rebound by Darren Mitchell was cleared off the goal-line by defender Kareem Joseph.

But the Jamaal Shabazz coached-Caledonia weren’t shown compassion by former midfielders Guerra and Oliver.

An errant pass by Thomas, forced into error by Plaza, allowed midfielder Guerra a free run towards goal from above the area in the 81st minute and completed his move with a cool finish past an advancing Louison for a 3-0 score.

Then on the 90th minute substitute Oliver converted from the penalty spot after Louison had upended Mitchell inside the area after his defence was dissected by a sequence of passes involving substitutes Jason Marcano and Sean De Silva who squared the final pass to Mitchell.

On Saturday the quarterfinal round continues at the Ato Boldon Stadium with defending champions and two-time winners W Connection against San Juan Jabloteh from 5 pm, with the winner advancing to meet Point Fortin Civic in the semi-finals, and from 7 pm the 2010 LSGS winners North East Stars will tackle Police FC, with the winner of that match to face Central FC in the semis.

2014 Lucozade Sport Goal Shield Play-off result

Thursday 3 April, at the Larry Gomes Stadium

San Juan Jabloteh 2—0 St. Ann’s Rangers
Jean-Luc Rochford 5’, Micah Lewis 61’

Quarter Final Round results

Friday 4 April, at the Ato Boldon Stadium

Central FC 4—0 Caledonia AIA
Willis Plaza 14’(PEN), 43’, Ataullah Guerra 81’, Marvin Oliver 90’ (PEN)

Point Fortin Civic 1 (4)—(3) 1 Defence Force
Akeem Redhead 41’, Glynn Franklyn 80’

(Point Fortin Civic won 4-3 on penalties)

Defence Force (3)                    Point Fortin Civic (4)
Devorn Jorsling (scored)             Marcus Joseph (scored)
Richard Roy (scored)                    Andre Toussaint (scored)
Curtis Gonzales (saved)                Andre Ettienne (scored)
Ross Russell Jr. (scored)              Bevon Bass (scored)
Corey Rivers (saved)

Upcoming Quarter Final Round fixtures

Saturday 5 April

W Connection vs San Juan Jabloteh—5 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium
North East Stars vs Police FC—7 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium

Semi-Final Round Friday 11 April

Winner (W Connection vs San Juan Jabloteh) vs Point Fortin Civic, Ato Boldon Stadium
Central FC vs Winner (North East Stars vs Police FC), Ato Boldon Stadium

Final

Friday 25 April
Ato Boldon Stadium

Teams

Central FC—21. Jan-Michael Williams, 1. Willis Plaza (4. Sean De Silva 83rd), 2. Elton John, 3. Keion Goodridge (Yellow Card), 11. Darren Mitchell (Yellow Card), 12. Jamal Jack, 15. Kaydion Gabriel, 22. Keion Trim (7. Jason Marcano 67th), 27. Samuel Delice (Yellow Card) (10. Marvin Oliver 63rd), 45. Ataullah Guerra, 50. Yohance Marshall

Unused substitutes—6. Leston Paul, 9. Dwight Quintero, 24. Akeem Benjamin, 25. Javon Sample (GK)

Coach—Terry Fenwick

Caledonia AIA—1. Shemel Loiuson, 7. Stephan David (C), 4. Raymond Alleyne (Yellow Card), 5. Akeem Thomas, 6. Marcus Ambrose, 9. Keyon Edwards (Yellow Card), 12. Kareem Joseph, 13. Julian Wade (31. Dylon King 72nd), 21. Densill Theobald, 22. Jameel Neptune (24. Conrad Smith 81st), 27. Nathan Lewis (20. Noel Williams 55th)

Unused substitutes—8. Keron Bethelmy, 19. Nical Stephens, 28. Pernell Schultz, 34. Kevin Graham (GK)

Coach—Jamaal Shabazz

Match Referee—Mervyn Wallace

Teams

Point Fortin Civic—22. Akini Adams, 5. Andre Ettienne (C), 2. Garyl Doldron, 4. Weslie John, 17. Glen Sutton, 18. Akeem Reedhead (21. Andre Alexis 73rd), 14. Bevon Bass, 11. Andre Toussaint, 19. Andrei Pacheco (20. Sylvester Teesdale 60th), 35. Kariym Balthazar, 10. Marcus Joseph

Unused substitutes—1. Marvin Phillip (GK), 33. Jamille Boatswain, 27. Jared Bennett, 30. Akiniyel Rouse, 7. Nickcolson Thomas

Coach—Reynold Carrington

Defence Force—1. Kevin Graham, 14. Corey Rivers (C), 3. Keston Williams (2. Glynn Franklyn 54th), 4. Dave Long, 6. Rodell Elcock, 8. Curtis Gonzales, 9. Devorn Jorsling, 12. Jemel Sebro, 17. Ross Russell Jr., 18. Sean Narcis (26. Richard Roy 59th), 23. Kerry Joseph (7. Balondemu Julius 78th)

Unused substitutes—5. Devin Jordan, 13. Marvin Jones, 25. Sheldon Clarke (GK), 45. Akeem Roach

Coach—Ross Russell

Match referee—Cecil Hinds

[Football supporter]

LSGS semis berths finalised: W Connection to face Civic and Central against Stars.
ttproleague.com.

Former winners W Connection and North East Stars both booked themselves into the semi-final round of the 2014 Lucozade Sport Goal Shield, against rivals Point Fortin Civic and Central FC respectively, to be contested on Friday 11 April.

Connection, the defending champions and two-time winners (2009 and 2013), whipped San Juan Jabloteh 3-1 in the first match of the quarterfinal round double header on Saturday at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

And in the second match at the Couva venue, the 2010 champions North East Stars, led by a first half Keron Cummings double, held off a resilient Police outfit for a 2-1 win.

Friday night Civic ousted two-time defeated Finalists Defence Force 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw, while Central FC flattened 2012 winners Caledonia AIA 4-0.

Connection meanwhile, also concentrating on the Digicel Pro League which it leads and closely followed by Central, featured a somewhat of a second-string starting line-up but strolled past Jabloteh in the opening half.

St. Lucia midfielder Tremain Shayn Paul fired the “Savonnetta Boys” ahead, 1-0, just eight minutes into the contest with a right-footed thump from 23 yards out after he was teed up by regular Hashim Arcia to beat rookie Jabloteh goalkeeper Shundelle Mayers.

It was long after and the 18-year-old Mayers, who only had his first start on Thursday in a 2-0 win over St. Ann’s Rangers in the LSGS play-off, suffered another item by the 15th minute.

A neat flick by diminutive Suriname forward Dimitrie Apai inside the area and Jamal Clarence rushed on to hit past Mayers for a 2-0 Connection cushion.

Connection made it 3-0 by the 24th minute, capitalising on an errant pass by Mayers, which was picked up by Neil Benjamin Jr. who played to Arcia, and the lanky forward was clinical in his strike to beat the Jabloteh goalie.

Mayers, who spectated a 27th minute strike just over-bar by Devaughn Elliot and a stoppage time miss by Benjamin Jr. which whisked inches wide of the far upper corner, did pull off a block-out in the 65th minute by getting his body in the way of a powerful deflected Paul effort from distance.

But Jabloteh later pulled back a goal in the 76th minute, reducing the deficit 1-3, when defender Kareem Smith pounced on a rebound off the gloves of goalkeeper Aquelius Sylvester, who had pulled off a diving save to keep out a well-taken Jean-Luc Rochford free-kick directed towards the far lower corner.

In the second match Police too had pulled back a second half item around the same time, a minute earlier to be exact.

Jameel Perry’s looping header off a poor clearance following a chip into the area by Trent Noel had left Jabloteh second choice goalkeeper Stefan Berkeley beaten.

However the Stars with a pair of first half goals by Cummings later held on for a 2-1 win.

Eighty-five seconds into the match and the Sangre Grande club was celebrating its opening item after a left-footed strike from 21 yards out by Cummings shell-shocked former Stars’ goalie Adrian Foncette.

And four minutes before the break Cummings was on the end of a brilliant long diagonal pass from midfield teammate Jeromie Williams, slipping past defender Ariei Mc David outside the area before racing in and hitting a low left-footed strike past Foncette to fit the ball just inside the far upright.

Foncette, who foiled a 35th minute Trevin Caesar strike and blocked out another two minutes inside the second half against the speedy Stars’ forward, denied Cummings a third in the 71st minute with a low shutout after the attacking midfielder was picked out by Caesar.

The LSGS semi-final round preparations of Connection, Civic, Central and Stars will be interrupted on Tuesday 8 April with Round Three Match Six fixtures of the 2013/2014 Digicel Pro League.

Connection, who leads the league standings with 42 points will take on sixth positioned Police FC (27 points) from 6 pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium, followed by second positioned Central FC (35 points) against seventh positioned Caledonia AIA (24 points).

Simultaneously at the Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya, eight positioned San Juan Jabloteh (11 points) and cellar positioned St. Ann’s Rangers (3 points) will meet in a bottom of the table tie from 6 pm, and from 8 pm, North East Stars and Point Fortin Civic both tied with 33 points in third and fourth respectively will tackle each other.

2014 Lucozade Sport Goal Shield Play-off Result

W Connection 3—1 San Juan Jabloteh
Tremain Shayn Paul 8’, Jamal Clarence 15’, Hashim Arcia 24’  ; Kareem Smith 76’

North East Stars 2—1 Police FC
Keron Cummings 2’, 41’  ;  Jameel Perry 73’

Teams

W Connection—22. Aquelius Sylvester, 11. Tremain Shayn Paul, 13. Devaughn Elliot (4. Daneil Cyrus 72nd), 14. Hashim Arcia, 15. Mekeil Williams (C), 17. Jamal Clarence (10. Joevin Jones 62nd), 19. Joel Leslie Russell, 25. Christian Viveros, 32. Dimitrie Apai (20. Stefano Rijssel 58th), 40. Jomal Williams, 65. Neil Benjamin Jr.

Unused substitutes—2. Kurt Frederick, 3. Gerard Williams, 7. Silvio Spann, 18. Julani Archibald

Coach—Stuart Charles Fevrier

San Juan Jabloteh—36. Shundelle Mayers, 4. Jean-Luc Rochford (C) (Yellow Card), 19. Dillon Kirton, 20. Dwane James, 24. Kareem Smith (Yellow Card), 12. Jamal Spencer, 21. Neil Mitchell (9. Jelani Felix 46th), 15. Micah Lewis, 6. Dario Holmes, 2. Duran Dilworth, 17. Kerry Daniel (13. Savion Kirton 83rd)

Unused substitutes—1. Kevin Dodds (GK), 10. Kerry Baptiste, 7. Rennie Britto, 5. Mudassa Howe

Coach—Keith Jeffrey

Teams

North East Stars—1. Stefan Berkeley, 5. Aquil Selby, 6. Jeromie Williams (15. Chike Sullivan 80th), 7. Elijah Manners, 8. Keron Cummings, 12. Jayson Joseph, 18. Kaashif Thomas (23. Kennedy Hinkson 75th minute), 19. Glenton Wolfe (C), 20. Trevin Caesar, 25. Keryn Navarro, 41. Neveal Hackshaw (Yellow Card)

Unused substitutes—9. Akiel Guevara, 11. Lemuel Lyons, Franz Husbands, 22. Cleon John (GK), 48. Jesus Perez

Coach—Angus Eve

Police FC—18. Adrian Foncette, 2. Jasimar Ashers, 10. Trent Noel, 6. Kenaz Williams, 8. Akiba Peters, 13. Elijah Roberts (Yellow Card) (21. Todd Ryan 35th minute), 15. Jameel Perry (Yellow Card), 20. Elijah Belgrave (Yellow Card), 24. Ariei Mc David, 25. Kemron Purcell (5. Anton Hutchinson 80th), 39. Joel Kevin Lewis (12. Vernell Ramirez 69th)

Unused substitutes—1. Errol Charles, 11. Kareem Perry, 26. Wendell Joseph, 34. Keston Mata (GK)

Coach—Richard Hood

Upcoming LSGS matches Semi-Final Round

Friday 11 April

W Connection vs Point Fortin Civic, Ato Boldon Stadium
Central FC vs North East Stars, Ato Boldon Stadium

Final

Friday 25 April

Ato Boldon Stadium

[SWF Reporter]

Keron K.O.s Police; Connection and Stars advance to Lucozade semis
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868)

Keron “Ballpest” Cummings opened his North East Stars account yesterday with a spanking double at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva as the Sangre Grande-based club advanced to the Lucozade Sport Goal Shield semifinal with a 2-1 win over Police FC.

Cummings scored with a powerful strike in the second minute and again with a fine individual effort in the 41st minute to steer the Stars towards a semifinal clash with Central FC. Jameel Perry pulled a goal back for Police in the 72nd minute to provoke a late charge by the “Lawmen.”

But it was not enough to unseat coach Angus Eve’s men.

In the other quarterfinal clash yesterday, a largely second-string DIRECTV W Connection team cruised to a 3-1 win over San Juan Jabloteh at the same venue.

The result means that Connection will face Point Fortin Civic, the club’s spiritual relative, in the other semifinal. More than half the Civic squad, including coach Reynold Carrington, were former Connection employees.

There were only three starters from Connection’s last Pro League match in the first team yesterday while the likes of Joevin Jones, Daneil Cyrus, Kurt Frederick, Julani Archibald and captain Gerard Williams all began on the bench. It didn’t do Jabloteh much good though as the San Juan team was hopelessly outclassed from the first whistle.

St Lucian midfielder Tremain Paul, who started in the midfield anchor role, opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a cracking shot into the far corner from outside the box after the Jabloteh defence failed to deal with an exchange by Jamal Clarence and Neil Benjamin Jr.

Clarence made it 2-0 in the 15th minute as he stabbed under Jabloteh goalkeeper Shundelle Mayers after a brilliant flick by teenaged attacker Dimitrie Apai. And, in the 24th minute, Connection went three goals clear as Benjamin picked up a poor Mayers clearance and teed up Hashim Arcia for another thumping finish.

The “Savonetta Boys” seemed to lose their appetite thereafter and Jabloteh got a toehold in the second half as defender Kareem Smith rammed home from close range after Connection custodian Aquelius Sylvester parried a Jean-Luc Rochford free kick.

There might have been a golden opportunity for a second item in the 81st minute as Jabloteh winger Micah Lewis beat Sylvester to a pass in the opposing area and was almost knocked into next week by the Connection goalkeeper.

Remarkably, referee Gyasi McDonald gave a spotkick rather than a penalty before allowing Jabloteh’s medics to attend to the groggy Lewis.

Read More

[SWF Reporter]

Next up for North East Stars is the “Couva Sharks” led by Terry Fenwick, who gave Eve his first coaching job at Jabloteh.
Thus far, their meetings have generally been tense and grim. Stars and Central won two matches apiece—although one Stars victory came via penalties—with four draws; and both scored seven goals from their eight meetings.
Read more: http://wired868.com/2014/04/06/keron-k-o-s-police-connection-and-stars-advance-to-lucozade-semis/

[Football supporter]

Central F.C. 2 - 0 North East Stars

Quintero  Winchester

W.Connection 1 - 0 Point Fortin Civic

Arcia

Final: 25th April



Goal Shield title to return to Couva: Bitter rivals Central and Connection into Final.
ttproleague.com.

The Final of the 2014 Lucozade Sport Goal Shield (LSGS), which will take place at the Ato Boldon Stadium (ABS) on Friday 25 April, will serve rivalry at its finest, when bitter rivals Central FC and W Connection tackle each other for the main prize.

Central booked its spot into the Final with a comfortable 2-0 win over North East Stars in semi-final one at the ABS on Friday night, while the defending champions and two-time winners (2009 and 2013) W Connection edged tournament debutants Point Fortin Civic 1-0 in semi-final two to set up a second Final meeting against the “Sharks” this season.

However whichever way the LSGS Final goes, the title will return to Couva—the shared home of both clubs. In fact every other title already contested this season have landed in Couva with Connection the Digicel Charity Shield, Toyota Classic and FA Trophy winners, while Central picked up the First Citizens Cup.

A 53rd minute strike by forward Hashim Arcia Friday, off Kurt Frederick’s corner which took a touch off the head of Leslie Joel Russell, broke the deadlock against Civic to give coach Stuart Charles Fevrier the eventual winner over his former player and apprentice, coach Reynold Carrington.

And in the earlier teacher vs apprentice affair, Central head coach Terry Fenwick celebrated an early lead over the Angus Eve coached-Stars before completing the win 11 minutes from time through 20-year-old substitute Rundell Winchester.

The speedy Tobagonian had intercepted a back-pass by Jeromie Williams played towards goalkeeper John in the 79th minute and slipped a low strike, from a tight angle, into the net for a 2-0 cushion.

Before that Central had led the encounter1-0 from as early as the 15th minute when another 20-year-old forward, Dwight Quintero, made use of a rare start since the arrival of Willis Plaza in January, by beating goalkeeper Cleon John to the ball with a toe poke to a perfect Jason Marcano cross.

Quintero, who had his final involvement on the hour mark with a half-volley over-bar, was replaced by Plaza a minute later. While Marcano, who had evaded challenges by Jayson Joseph and Keryn Navarro on the right before sending in the goal-scoring cross, made his best contribution back then.

Two early attempts by Samuel Delice and a swerving Ataullah Guerra free-kick which sailed a foot high of John’s crossbar were other moments for Central.

Stars’ Kennedy Hinkson had a look in on goal two minutes before the break after shuffling away from Guerra, but the hard-working winger’s effort was inches too high of levelling the scores.

The former LSGS winners were even unluckier on the 69th minute after Central goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams pushed a well-taken Keron Cummings free-kick onto the frame and from the rebound Aquil Selby’s effort crashed off the crossbar.

Then in the 77th minute from an Elijah Manners’ corner, Hinkson’s flicked header towards the near upper corner was headed away by Central substitute Marvin Oliver.

The 38-year-old Oliver and forward Plaza, both key players for Central’s present remarkable form of 9 straight wins in all competitions and an astonishing 16-match undefeated run, were only used as second half substitutes as Fenwick must face the Stars again in a very important Round Three Match Day Seven clash of the Digicel Pro League (DPL) from 8 pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Tuesday.

Plaza, with 10 league goals, has two goals in the LSGS tournament just as Connection’s Arcia.

A win for Central (38 points) on Tuesday against the Stars will slice the lead of longstanding DPL leaders W Connection (45 points) down to 4 points with three games left on the board for both teams.

Fevrier’s side are on the bye on Tuesday, however the Connection head coach entrusted a second string starting line-up, with the exception of regulars Arcia and defender Daneil Cyrus to overcome Civic and reach the LSGS Final.

The “Savonnetta Boys” were denied in the 21st minute when goalkeeper Marvin Phillip kept out Kurt Frederick’s strike, and from a set-piece five minutes into the second period the St. Lucian left-back struck over-bar from 20 yards out.

Long after Arcia’s winner in the 53rd, Connection’s Suriname forward Dimitrie Apai was denied by the crossbar on the 90th minute after picking up the ball inside his own half on a counterattack and outran four Civic players before hitting from inside the area.

Civic meanwhile were closest to the target in the 16th minute when Sylvester Teesdale’s left-footed hook shaved the side netting.

Then a Marcus Joseph overhead attempt off an Andre Toussaint cross in the 26th minute earned him applause from the travelling Point Fortin supporters however his effort failed to trouble goalkeeper Aquelius Sylvester as it sailed high and out of play.

The Civic supporters were cheering again by the 32nd minute when Kariym Balthazar’s strike from above the area flew just wide of the upright and on the hour mark Joseph’s powerful free-kick flashed over-bar.

As for the Final on April 25, it surely wouldn’t lack entertainment against two rivals that have met five times this season.

The “Sharks” defeated the “Savonnetta Boys” 4-2 in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw last October in the semi-final round of the First Citizens Cup en route to lifting the title.

But Connection fired back with a 1-0 round one win in the DPL in December and in the same month defeated Central 6-5 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the Final of the FA Trophy.

Both sides met again twice this year and after a 2-2 draw in round two of the league, Central slammed Connection 3-0 last month in round three.

2014 Lucozade Sport Goal Shield Semi-Final Round results

Central FC 2—0 North East Stars
Dwight Quintero 15’, Rundell Winchester 79’

W Connection 1—0 Point Fortin Civic
Hashim Arcia 53’

Teams

Central FC—21. Jan Michael Williams, 45. Ataullah Guerra (C), 2. Elton John, 3. Keion Goodridge, 7. Jason Marcano, 9. Dwight Quintero (1. Willis Plaza 61st minute), 12. Jamal Jack (Yellow Card), 13. Johan Peltier (10. Marvin Oliver 66thminute), 24. Akeem Benjamin, 27. Samuel Delice (17. Rundell Winchester 75th minute), 50. Yohance Marshall

Unused substitutes—4. Sean de Silva, 6. Leston Paul, 22. Keon Trim, 25. Javon Sample (GK)

Coach—Terry Fenwick

North East Stars—22. Cleon John (GK) (C), 5. Aquil Selby, 6. Jeromie Williams, 7. Elijah Manners, 8. Keron Cummings (40. Jomoul Francois 84thminute), 12. Jayson Joseph, 19. Glenton Wolfe, 20. Trevin Caesar, 23. Kennedy Hinkson (15. Chike Sullivan 84thminute), 25. Keryn Navarro, 41. Neveal Hackshaw (18. Kaashif Thomas 76th minute)

Unused substitutes—1. Stefan Berkeley (GK), 11. Lemuel Lyons, 48. Jesus Perez, 42. Shilo Johnson

Coach—Angus Eve

Match Referee—Gyasi Mc Donald

Teams

W Connection—22. Aquelius Sylvester (GK), 4. Daneil Cyrus (C), 2. Kurt Frederick, 11. Tremain Shayn Paul, 14. Hashim Arcia, 17. Jamal Clarence (10. Joevin Jones 65th minute), 19. Leslie Joel Russell, 25. Christian Viveros (Yellow Card), 32. Dimitrie Apai, 40. Jomol Williams (3. Gerard Williams 68th minute), 65. Neil Benjamin Jr. (15. Mekeil Williams 86th minute)

Unused substitutes—7. Silvio Spann, 13. Devaughn Elliot, 18. Julani Archibald, 20. Stefano Rijssel

Coach—Stuart Charles Fevrier

Point Fortin Civic—1. Marvin Phillip (GK), 5. Andre Ettienne (C) (Yellow Card) (29. Kevin Rouse 74th minute), 2. Garyl Doldron, 4. Weslie John, 17. Glen Sutton, 14. Bevon Bass (Yellow Card), 11. Andre Toussaint (33. Jamille Boatswain 74th minute), 35. Kariym Balthazar, 10. Marcus Joseph, 20. Sylvester Teesdale (18. Akeem Redhead 60th minute), 7. Nickholson Thomas

Unused substitutes—22. Akini Adams (GK), 19. Andrei Pacheco, 27. Jared Bennett, 6. Kelvin Modeste

Coach—Reynold Carrington

Referee—Rodphin Harris

Upcoming Digicel Pro League fixtures

Sunday 13 April

Rescheduled Fixtures Round Two Match Day Seven
Defence Force vs Police FC—5 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium

Round Three Match Day Five
Caledonia AIA vs San Juan Jabloteh—7 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium

Tuesday 15 April

Round Three Match Day Seven
Police FC vs Defence Force—6 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium
San Juan Jabloteh vs Point Fortin Civic—8 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium

St. Ann’s Rangers vs Caledonia AIA—6 pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium
North East Stars vs Central FC—8 pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium

[SWF Reporter]

El Clásico Couva: Connection and Central meet in Lucozade final
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868)

Local football is bracing itself for another monumental clash as defending champion DIRECTV W Connection, and bitter Couva rival, Central FC, both booked their places in the 2014 Lucozade Sport Goal Shield final at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 25 April 2014.

Cue: excited looks by knowledgeable football fans, narrowed eyebrows by employees of both teams and, possible, a plea for UN peacekeeping officers by Pro League officials.

Words like: derby, feud and rivals are clichéd in football and often conjured up by marketing staff to sell tickets. Not in this case.

It is not just that Central coach Terry Fenwick and Connection coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier do not shake hands after the final whistle or the clubs don’t exchange tidings of joy on Christmas Day. But that both clubs’ efforts to disrupt the other seem to go well beyond their 90 minute contests with accusations of training ground sabotage, damaged property and slander via the social media.

There has never been anything like it in the Pro League.

Is it to the detriment of the local game? The hundreds of supporters who saw Connection and Central grind out a result in the TTFA FA Trophy final, First Citizens Cup semi-final and in their three League contests this season would answer emphatically: No!

There were two “derbies” last night too as Central got past North East Stars 2-0 and Connection edged out Point Fortin Civic 1-0. But these were as good natured as cousins playing all fours in comparison.
Fenwick and his former assistant coach Angus Eve, who now spearheads North East Stars, do not shake hands either. But theirs is a passive-aggressive spat and their contests are generally tense and dull.

In their eight prior meetings, Stars and Central scored exactly seven goals each with two wins apiece and four drawn matches after 90 minutes; although Stars slightly shave the head-to-head contest since they turned one of those stalemates into a penalty shootout win. No team had ever been won by more than a solitary goal.

Last night, Central maintained its remarkable current form with a 2-0 triumph, which was the ninth successive win for the “Couva Sharks.”

It was not as straightforward as the scoreline might suggest, though.

A snaky run down the right flank and teasing Jason Marcano cross led to a fortunate opener in the 15th minute as 20-year-old striker Dwight Quintero stabbed the ball past Stars goalkeeper Cleon John and defender Aquil Selby hooked an attempted clearance over his own goal line.

Read More

[soccerrama]

It is not just that Central coach Terry Fenwick and Connection coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier do not shake hands after the final whistle or the clubs don’t exchange tidings of joy on Christmas Day. But that both clubs’ efforts to disrupt the other seem to go well beyond their 90 minute contests with accusations of training ground sabotage, damaged property and slander via the social media.

This is misleading, as far as I am aware Connection has done nothing off the field of play against Central, in fact it was Terry Fenwick who slandered them on Facebook with accusations of paying off of referees etc, it was Jan Michael Williams who cut the locks off their goalposts and admitted to doing it, and just recently before an important league fixture against Jabloteh they cut down the goalpost nets, took it away & miraculously it appeared the next day dirty. So in two instances they have damaged & defaced Connection's property.
Terry Fenwick & Kevin Harrison continuously bash Connection about their foreigners (staff & players) when they have broken no rules, and most of these players & staff are institutionalised in the Pro League. I am yet to see Connection making any pronouncements on Central's signings etc. Connection has never descended to such & will never do so, they will play fair & square on & off the field of play.
You can't damage & deface people's property & call it mind games that's a criminal offence

[Sam]

Bull them hard Central !!!

Bull them hard.

[Football supporter]

It is not just that Central coach Terry Fenwick and Connection coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier do not shake hands after the final whistle or the clubs don’t exchange tidings of joy on Christmas Day. But that both clubs’ efforts to disrupt the other seem to go well beyond their 90 minute contests with accusations of training ground sabotage, damaged property and slander via the social media.

This is misleading, as far as I am aware Connection has done nothing off the field of play against Central, in fact it was Terry Fenwick who slandered them on Facebook with accusations of paying off of referees etc, it was Jan Michael Williams who cut the locks off their goalposts and admitted to doing it, and just recently before an important league fixture against Jabloteh they cut down the goalpost nets, took it away & miraculously it appeared the next day dirty. So in two instances they have damaged & defaced Connection's property.
Terry Fenwick & Kevin Harrison continuously bash Connection about their foreigners (staff & players) when they have broken no rules, and most of these players & staff are institutionalised in the Pro League. I am yet to see Connection making any pronouncements on Central's signings etc. Connection has never descended to such & will never do so, they will play fair & square on & off the field of play.
You can't damage & deface people's property & call it mind games that's a criminal offence

It's true. Connection are a group of angels! Central have been sent by the devil to upset them! Of course, the irony is that you, Mr Soccerama, continue to be W.Connections propaganda mouthpiece so that they can deny any responsibility, because, of course, you hide behind your secret identity. 

And now there is a new offense of  "stating your opinion"? So everyone has to agree with everything Connection does? Journalists are not allowed to criticise either?

Those of us who would like to see professional football in T&T improve have our views and Mr Williams has the right to air his views too. It's called "debate" and it's a good thing. There is nothing wrong with public discussion. You and Mr Williams seem to feel that opinion is attack. Not so. And the comments of myself, Fenwick and Sancho (yes, you forgot to put the black man in there) about foreign imports were directed at both Connection & Caledonia because of their flood of imports earlier in the season. I felt that a good open debate arose from that and I hope to see changes in rules next season. This is how things improve in life, sport, politics etc.

When you fire people, they will resent you and I guess that's why the padlock got damaged.

But you have never once yet explained why Central were increasingly frustrated with the angelic W.connection. You never mentioned that you block booked the Ato Boldon training field from 8 a.m, preventing anyone else, including Central, from using it in the cool of morning, yet hardly used it yourself. In fact, I believe that from January to April, you trained there 3 times, strangely, 2 of those times were when you played us! Still, that's all been stopped now.
 
It has been noticed within football circles that one or two clubs have singled out myself and Fenwick and used words such as colonialism. There certainly seems to be a hidden agenda coming through from those two clubs.
I guess that's why I had to suffer racist remarks from Connection supporters last night, along with criminal accusations concerning our sponsors. I would be happy to pass over the identities of these "supporters" to Mr Williams as he was speaking with them shortly before this occurred. That IS a criminal offence and I have over 15 witnesses including the 6 children who had to listen to their f words and MC words. One of those children is the child of Daniel Cyrus' girlfriend! 

But the most remarkable thing about this post is that your hatred and loathing is so great that you haven't even commented on your teams performance or achievement in reaching a cup final. Doesn't that say a lot about you, Mr Soccerama, or perhaps about the feelings of W.Connection?

Stop making a fuss about Central and try to salvage something from your season.

You could still win the league, you know. As I've said previously, the only team who can take the title away from Connection, is themselves!

By the way, congrats on your community efforts this week. It's really positive to see you supporting your sponsor and the Central community. 

[soccerrama]

Wow I am always so happy when I get your ire....
It's true. Connection are a group of angels! Central have been sent by the devil to upset them! Of course, the irony is that you, Mr Soccerama, continue to be W.Connections propaganda mouthpiece so that they can deny any responsibility, because, of course, you hide behind your secret identity. 
But you have never once yet explained why Central were increasingly frustrated with the angelic W.connection.
Where did I say Connection were angels. I speak of what I know which are facts, likewise you are free to speak of what you know. By the way do you know everyone on this board, but guess what you know me oh so well!!!
And now there is a new offense of  "stating your opinion"? So everyone has to agree with everything Connection does? Journalists are not allowed to criticise either?
Where was this stated or implied.
Those of us who would like to see professional football in T&T improve have our views and Mr Williams has the right to air his views too. It's called "debate" and it's a good thing. There is nothing wrong with public discussion. You and Mr Williams seem to feel that opinion is attack. Not so.
I will not speak for Mr Williams he can aptly defend himself and I am sure he reads these posts so when next you meet him smilingly you can tell him what you have said here to his face. Again where is this about an opinion being an attack stated or implied.
And the comments of myself, Fenwick and Sancho (yes, you forgot to put the black man in there)
I will not be drawn into your racist agenda because I have not a bone of hatred in my body for anyone, I love all as I come from all, so you are on your own with this.
It has been noticed within football circles that one or two clubs have singled out myself and Fenwick and used words such as colonialism. There certainly seems to be a hidden agenda coming through from those two clubs.
I guess that's why I had to suffer racist remarks from Connection supporters last night, along with criminal accusations concerning our sponsors. I would be happy to pass over the identities of these "supporters" to Mr Williams as he was speaking with them shortly before this occurred. That IS a criminal offence and I have over 15 witnesses including the 6 children who had to listen to their f words and MC words. One of those children is the child of Daniel Cyrus' girlfriend! 
Again Mr Williams & Mr. Shabazz will have to defend themselves. I will never condone any behaviour of what happened to you last night & I apologise profusely for this. I encourage you to inform Mr Williams of this as I am sure he too will not condone such behaviour.
When you fire people, they will resent you and I guess that's why the padlock got damaged.
So I guess once you are fired justified or not it is okay to damage one’s property.....wow!!!
But the most remarkable thing about this post is that your hatred and loathing is so great that you haven't even commented on your teams performance or achievement in reaching a cup final. Doesn't that say a lot about you, Mr Soccerama, or perhaps about the feelings of W.Connection?
Connection winning the Lucozade Goal Shield is neither here or there for me because if they win that will just be another trophy if they lose all praises will go to Central for winning their 2nd trophy for the season. Unlike you & some others on this board I support my team & harbour no ill feelings towards anyone. After all I have a life outside of football. Life is too short for all this hatred, here today, gone tomorrow so I am off to my favourite Saturday spot for a good crab & dumpling.
Stop making a fuss about Central and try to salvage something from your season.
Me fussing about Central……nah not me. Connection has already won 3 trophies for this season so what salvaging you talking about.
You could still win the league, you know. As I've said previously, the only team who can take the title away from Connection, is themselves!
The league is presently a 3 way race & anything can happen & yes I want Connection to win but whoever wins would have done so deservingly.
By the way, congrats on your community efforts this week. It's really positive to see you supporting your sponsor and the Central community. 

Thank you, ditto to you as I saw Central on CNC3 doing likewise.

[Sam]

Ah wonder if de ref go give Central some red cards when they play Lucian Connection?

Bull them hard Central !!!

Bull them hard.

[Football supporter]

Connection, Central to clash in Lucozade final

By JOEL BAILEY Sunday, April 13 2014

THE NEWEST rivalry in Trinidad and Tobago football – W Connection against Central FC – will be in the spotlight on April 25 at the final of the Lucozade Sport Goal Shield.

The final will take place at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, the same venue of Friday’s semi-final double-header, with Connection edging past Point Fortin Civic FC 1-0 while Central eliminated North East Stars 2-0.

The first semi-final featured Central and Stars and, barring a brief spell midway in the second half, Central were comfortable winners against a team that is well-organised defensively but limited in their attacking quality. After sustained early pressure, Central took the lead in the 15th minute.

Midfielder Jason Marcano went around Stars’ left-back Keryn Navarro and sent a low ball into the penalty box to striker Dwight Quintero who placed his right-footed effort past onrushing goalkeeper Cleon John and the despairing effort of centre-back Aquil Selby.

Stand-in captain Ataullah Guerra could have widened the lead with a 33rd minute free-kick while, nine minutes later, he was slow to close down Stars’ utility player Kennedy Hinkson who forced goalie Jan-Michael Williams to tip a speculative long-range shot overbar.

Quintero, with his last kick of the game (60th minute) went overbar with a left-footed effort after a mis-kick from Marcano, before North East went in search of the equaliser, with a few corners. However, it was another set-piece in the 69th which saw them come closest to tying the scores.

Jamal Jack was harshly ruled to have fouled Hinkson and, from the free kick, the crossbar was struck twice, by Kerron Cummings (whose kick was tipped to the uprights by the goalie) and striker Trevin Caesar (who met the rebound with a header).

Those misses came back to haunt Stars 10 minutes later when in-form striker Willis Plaza (Quintero’s replacement) forced Jeromie Williams to play a woeful back pass to John which substitute, Rundell Winchester, intercepted to slot home from a tight angle on the left.

Point Fortin have gained a reputation for a good fan support, but their lack of a target man proved to be their undoing against a Connection team who are accustomed to reaching local knockout finals.

Sylvester Teesdale muffed a few chances to put Point Fortin in front, while Connection’s left-back Kurt Frederick went close with a 48th minute free kick.

But Frederick played a part in Connection’s lone goal, four minutes later – after his initial corner from the right was cleared at the first post, the St Lucian swung a cross which eventually fell to midfielder Hashim Arcia who placed his right footer to the right of an outstretched Phillip.

[SWF Reporter]

Whistle and horn: Connection and Central square off in Goal Shield final
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868)

Several of the most talented Trinidad and Tobago-based footballers like Joevin Jones, Willis Plaza, Daneil Cyrus, Ataullah Guerra, Gerard Williams and Marvin Oliver will all be at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva tomorrow.

But expect match referee Neal Brizan to be the most important figure on the field as Pro League leaders DIRECTV W Connection and second place Central FC meet from 8.10 pm in the Lucozade Sport Goal Shield final.

And to say Connection, the defending Goal Shield champion team, and Central do not like each other very much is as much an understatement as observing that ex-Minister Chandresh Sharma and Sacha Singh are not too friendly these days.

In the five editions of El Clásico Couva so far this season, there have been two penalties, three red cards and 12 goals. And that is just the score on the field. Off the pitch, there have been rifts about damaged property, training ground rows, public insults, a libel suit and a Pro League complaint about inappropriate contact with referees.

Central coach and ex-England World Cup defender Terry Fenwick, who invariably leads the public face of the conflict, fired the latest salvo last week with a charge that his Connection counterpart, Stuart Charles-Fevrier, allegedly confessed to phoning referees after games to provide feedback on their performances.

Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene told Wired868 that he is looking into the complaint and has already raised it with Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) referees committee head, Ramesh Ramdhan.

“I am just trying to find out what happened,” said Skeene. “And I am getting information in terms of what is permissible by FIFA in terms of contact between referees and coaches.”

Connection president David John-Williams declined comment on Central although he claimed that he recently dropped a libel suit against Fenwick after the coach allegedly apologised, through his lawyer, for statements regarding the former’s supposed influence over officials.

Wired868 could not reach Fenwick for comment. However the Englishman touched a few nerves again with an interview on the Pro League website, which claimed that Connection is closing in on the League title thanks to the efforts of third-rate foreigners.

Read More

[Football supporter]

Central F.C. 2 - 1 W.Connection

First, please note that I am drunk!

Ok, so game started fast and busy. Rundell Winchester chased a real lost cause and won, and then had the maturity to beat the keeper. He had absolutely no business to even try to score, but, boy, what a fantastic goal. Within a couple of minutes, Oliver connected with an excellent cross from Goodridge and it was 2-0. Two minutes later, Alvin Jones scored a superb Beckham-esquefree kick. So after around 22 minutes, we had a real game on our hands!
Despite several chances by each team, the game never really reignited. However, Jan-Michael Williams kept the Sharks in the game with a great fingertip save and Connections keeper made 3 point blank saves from three different Central players in a pinball moment.
To be fair, it was a very even game and a great advert for T&T football. Some very silly yellow cards from Brizan and, as usual, some dodgy challenges went unpunished.

Crowd was decent with lots of noise for The Sharks!
Not sure if I should say this, but, hey, I'm a little drunk so here goes.... how many owners/CEOs have won a T&T trophy with two different clubs?   

[Sam]

CENTRAL FC !!!!!

Foreign Connection - 

Send more St Lucians.

Stuart Charles-Fevrier can do no wrong.

[SWF Reporter]

Fenwick claims supremacy as Central beats Connection to Lucozade crown
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868)

On a night that bristled with energy and emotion, Central FC snared the Lucozade Sport Goal Shield trophy after a 2-1 win over bitter Couva rivals, DIRECTV W Connection, at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

There were over 2,000 spectators at the ground and Lucozade might have been flattered to see over two dozen young men fight tooth and nail for its challenge trophy and the $30,000 first prize plus goal bonuses, which—in Central’s case—turned out to be an additional $14,000.

In truth, Central and Connection would probably go to war over a pack of chewing gum.

And yesterday, for the second successive Clásico Couva, it was Central coach Terry Fenwick who was saluting the crowd at the final whistle.

The greater the rancour, the better Central seems to play. Fenwick, a former England World Cup defender and Tottenham captain, suggested that this was not accidental.

“We want bigger crowds and more excitement (in the Pro League) and now that they got it they don’t want it,” Fenwick told Wired868. “… I want my players to be stoked up and feel the rivalry and want to win. The background I come from is all about the big occasion and how you handle it and rise to it.

“Connection just wants to get on with it and not have too much fuss.”

Central has seemed to go out of its way to unsettle Connection this season through a host of avenues. But it would count for nought if the Sharks failed to back it up on the field.

Last month, Central romped to a 3-0 win over Connection in a Pro League fixture with all three items in the first half hour. Yesterday, Fenwick’s warriors again went for the jugular from the opening whistle.

There were three strikers and three offensive midfielders in Connection’s starting eleven although only Willis Plaza was used in a predominantly attacking role. Twenty-year-old Dwight Quintero played in a midfield trio and pressed Connection’s midfield anchor Gerard Williams whenever possible while Rundell Winchester was used on the left flank and veteran playmaker Marvin Oliver was positioned in front of the Central back four.

Once Central won possession, though, there was no telling which of their front six would pose a goal scoring threat. Plaza had 14 goals from 15 matches before last night but Central’s starting team suggested that goals were possible without him. And so it proved.

In the 14th minute, Winchester darted in off the left flank to chase a Plaza flick on. It looked like a lost cause and Daneil Cyrus was surprised by Winchester’s acceleration and aggression. Connection left back Kurt Frederick should have supported Cyrus; instead, he was brushed aside with ease by an opponent with more desire in that instant.

Once clear of Frederick and on the edge of the area, Winchester sent a stinging first time volley that flew past Connection goalkeeper Aquelius Sylvester before he had time to even assess the danger.

The splendid individual goal epitomised the best and worst of Winchester. A forward of his pace could have easily carried the ball into the penalty area for a straightforward scoring chance. Instead, Winchester went for the instinctive, lower percentage effort.

It is either very hot or very cold for the former Stokely Vale striker. Yesterday, he was smoking.

Five minutes later, Winchester turned on to his right foot and delivered a precise inswinging cross from the left flank that Oliver headed smartly into the far post. And it looked like another a rout might be on the cards.

“We scored a goal from nothing to start off,” said Fenwick. “And, while they were reeling, we had a 10 minute spell where we were really forcing the issue and might have had a third.”

Connection punched back though.

Playmaker Joevin Jones, 22, has led Savonetta Boys’ offence for the past two season but, last night, he had to make way for his 19-year-old brother Alvin Jones. And Jones’ first derby goal was one to remember as the right back hammered a free kick from almost 30 yards that made Central and Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams look irrelevant.

“The free kick was a great strike,” said Fenwick. “For neutrals it was a great goal although, for me, Jan-Michael, as the best keeper in the region, should have saved it.”

A minute later, Jones (A) crashed an effort towards goal again from an angle on the right flank that would ridiculous for almost any player who is not Marcus Joseph (Point Fortin Civic) or Trevin Caesar (North East Stars). Williams fended it away unconvincingly.

Connection’s tails were up now. But the men in white shirts could make no further headway in the first half.

Fevrier’s men started the second half with some zest as their own winged demon, Neil Benjamin Jr, embarrassed Central defenders Keion Goodridge and Yohance Marshall with his pace but delayed his final cross, which allowed Marshall to knock the ball behind for a corner.

Cyrus headed inches over the bar from Jones’ (J) corner kick. But Central tightened up at the back thereafter to frustrate the defending champions.

“Central did everything in their power to defend in the second half,” Connection coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier told Wired868, “and we did not create any good enough opening for a chance of scoring.

“The effort was good from us but we could have done more.”

The Sharks almost extended their lead too but for an remarkable piece of defending from Jones (A) who went full stretch to deflect a Winchester shot over his own bar after a low, raking Jason Marcano cross.

“We have put them in their place as to who is the top team,” said Fenwick. “(Connection owner David John-Williams) talks about me being obsessed with him but my teams are the ones that knock him off his perch. First, Jabloteh and now Central.

“Maybe it is he who has the hang-up.”

Fevrier retorted on behalf of his own team.

“I want to congratulate Central on winning the Lucozade Sport Goal Shield,” said Fevrier. “I thought we started well but we conceded a very soft first goal and it put us on the back foot; other than that it was a keenly contested final…

“I have no problem with Fenwick’s team or any other team defeating mine. I am a football person; I know what it is to win, lose and draw—both as a player and a coach.

“That is life; that is sport. I have always showed respect to my opponents… Football is not a game to make enemies with people.”

The million dollar dilemma for Connection is the Defence Force team, which is one point away in the Pro League title race. So, Fevrier is likely to focus on “Teteron Boys” coach Ross Russell for the remainder of the season.

One suspects that the Central threat will not go away easily, though. And, last night, Fenwick took relish in helping himself to another of Fevrier’s trophies.

(Teams)

Central FC (4-3-3): 21.Jan-Michael Williams (GK); 24.Akeem Benjamin, 50.Yohance Marshall, 2.Elton John, 3.Keion Goodridge; 10.Marvin Oliver (captain); 7.Jason Marcano (22.Keon Trim 90), 9.Dwight Quintero (6.Leston Paul 63), 45.Ataullah Guerra, 17.Rundell Winchester; 1.Willis Plaza.

Unused substitutes: 25.Javon Sample (GK), 4.Sean De Silva, 11.Darren Mitchell, 15.Kaydion Gabriel, 27.Samuel Delice.

Coach: Terry Fenwick
 

W Connection (4-2-1-3): 22.Aquelius Sylvester (GK); 39.Alvin Jones, 19.Joel Russell, 4.Daneil Cyrus, 2.Kurt Frederick, 3.Gerard Williams (captain), 40.Jomal Williams (7.Silvio Spann 69); 10.Joevin Jones; 65.Neil Benjamin (13.Devaughn Elliot 81), 14.Hashim Arcia, 20.Stefano Rijssell (17.Jamal Clarence 63),

Unused substitutes: 18.Julani Archibald (GK), 11.Tremain Paul, 15.Mekeil Williams, 25.Christian Viveros.

Coach: Stuart Charles-Fevrier


Referee: Neal Brizan


Lucozade Sport Goal Shield final

Central FC 2 (Rundell Winchester 14, Marvin Oliver 19), W Connection 1 (Alvin Jones 22) at Couva

Prize Giving Ceremony

MVP: Rundell Winchester (Central FC)

Top scorer: Willis Plaza, Rundell Winchester, Marvin Oliver (all Central FC), Hashim Arcia (W Connection), Keron Cummings (North East Stars)—two goals

Best coach: Terry Fenwick (Central FC).

[Jah Gol]

Post Match interviews

Rundell Winchester (Most Valuable Player)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=658267620876952&l=7932291481820017051

Central FC Coach Terry Fenwick
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=658262090877505&l=7942834080961349880

W. Connection FC Assistant Coach Earl Jean

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=658335494203498&l=6459501190176660551

[Jah Gol]

Willis Plaza of Central FC and Alvin Jones of W Connection challenge for the ball




Rundell Winchester of Central FC was named the Most Valuable Player of the Final



Rundell Winchester, Hashim Arcia and Willis Plaza finished the tournament with 2 goals apiece



Central FC Captain Marvin Oliver and his teammates celebrate victory in Lucoade Sport Goal Shield Final

[Jah Gol]

“We just came out to work hard, motivated by our coach … the best coach in the league, Terry Fenwick,” Central FC’s 20-year-old Tobagonian attacker Rundell Winchester told reporters following his team’s 2-1 win in the Final of the 2014 Lucozade Sport Goal Shield on Friday night.

read more

http://www.ttproleague.com/index.php/tt-pro-league-tournaments/lucozade-sport-goal-shield/1898-bolting-winchester-leads-central-to-2014-lucozade-sport-goal-shield

[amielisadore]

Highlights of the Lucozade Sport Goal Shield Final http://www.tv6tnt.com/sevenpm-news/Lucozade-Final-256855651.html

[Tiresais]

Fenwick: ‘Anything else would be the cream on top’
TT Pro League

Central FC head coach Terry Fenwick believes that his side, only in its second season of existence, is already forging itself ahead and deserves appropriate credit.

Fenwick, who led the “Sharks” to the First Citizens Cup, celebrated the club’s second title this season by defeating bitter Couva rivals W Connection 2-1 in the Final of the 2014 Lucozade Sport Goal Shield last Friday at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

“It's massive for the club and central (Trinidad), obviously,” said the former England international and Tottenham defender, who took charge of Central FC in January 2013, replacing another England international and former Arsenal player Graham Rix.

Central are also seated in a respectable third position on the Digicel Pro League standings with 41 points (and two matches remaining), while longstanding leaders W Connection and defending champions Defence Force are first and second respectively with three matches remaining.

But although his team stands with an unlikely chance of finishing in a top two, which qualifies teams to the Caribbean Club Championship, the qualifier towards the Concacaf Champions League, Fenwick remains optimistic.

“I think it’s going to be a tight race to the end of the season now,” added Fenwick, a three-time Pro League winning coach during his spells at San Juan Jabloteh.

“We’d love to be there (in the Concacaf Champions League) but we are very disappointed with (Caledonia losing 4-0 against Defence Force in a rescheduled league match also played on Friday). Caledonia, regional champions, were very poor and that’s not like them at all and we were very disappointed in them.

“But there are two massive games coming up, Army against Connection (on May 2 and 6) and then on the last day Connection have got Caledonia (May 13). Anything can happen. We’ve just got to do our bit. We have Jabloteh (May 6) and Rangers (May 13) in our last two games, which are two good games for us.”

However with two titles already and the Digicel Pro Bowl still to be contested this season, Fenwick believes, “anything else would be cream on top of the cake. I think we can be proud of what we have done this season already.”

W Connection, winners of this season’s Digicel Charity Shield and Toyota Classic, and the team that defeated Central in the Final of the FA Trophy, remains ahead of Central when it comes to titles this season.

But when thousands of spectators flocked the Ato Boldon Stadium last Friday to witness the entertaining Final, it was evident that Connection were unable to match Central when it came to supporters.

“Hats have got to come off for (Central FC’s managing director) Brent Sancho and (operations director) Kevin Harrison who have done a hell of a lot of community work,” said Fenwick. “It’s almost twice a month that we have been in different communities in the central region.

“We are trying to do our best for football. We want to gather support. We’ve got a successful team on the field that’s doing very well, (…) but for a two-year-old club I think we have been outstanding and we will only get better.”

Fenwick’s mid-season signings included Trinidad and Tobago internationals Ataullah Guerra and Willis Plaza, former T&T international Yohance Marshall, two-time T&T FIFA Youth World Cup midfielders Leston Paul and Sean de Silva, and Samuel Delice, adding to a cast that already included the likes of T&T goalie Jan-Michael Williams, Marvin Oliver, Jason Marcano, Rundell Winchester, Elton John, Keion Goodrigde, Akeem Benjamin and Darren Mitchell.

“I’ve approached it very differently to what I’ve done in the past,” explained Fenwick over his ability to keep his players fired up. “I’ve actually given the players a lot of time off and I think we have looked fresh … brand new when we come out to play and we’ve blown teams away. We’ve scored four, five and six goals against teams, which is unusual at this time of the season. I’ve got a very talented squad although we are running a little bit thin. But all of our players are top quality.”