NLCL U-19 Community Cup Thread

[Flex]

NLCL 23: Wap Wap Wap! W Connection score three in four minutes to see off Gasparillo and clinch top spot
By Roneil Walcott (Wired868).

W Connection FC secured top spot in Group B of the Next Level Consultant Ltd (NLCL) Under-19 Community Cup yesterday, as they emerged with a 3-1 win over Gasparillo Youths in some bumpy conditions at the Plaisance Park Recreation Ground in Claxton Bay.

Connection suffered their first blemish of the 2022/23 NLCL tournament last Thursday, when they fell 1-0 away to Cunupia FC. But yesterday, the “Savonetta Boys” put Gasparillo to bed early with three goals in a crazy four-minute span in the first half.

Bullish Connection captain Caleb Boyce, who a sprinkling of Connection fans referred to as “Captain America”, bagged two of those three items in quick succession with his typically strong and predatory strike play.

Boyce, a focal point for Presentation College (San Fernando) in the 2022 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) season, opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a neat finish past Gasparillo custodian Jerelle Thorne.

Young Thorne barely had time to dust off himself before Boyce doubled his team’s advantage within seconds. On the latter occasion, an errant Gasparillo pass from the restart put the Connection captain clean through to apply a simple finish.

“We took a little time to settle into the game in the first half,” Gasparillo coach Mark Ranghel told Wired868. “By the time we settled into the game, W Connection had already scored two easy goals due to some silly mistakes at the back.”

Things went from bad to extremely worse in the blink of an eye for the visitors, as Connection’s chirpy left back Duhrell Young put the “Savonetta Boys” 3-0 up in the 22nd minute—after a slick left side move which involved Maliki “Yellows” Clement.

Boyce and Yellows showed little hospitality at Plaisance Park yesterday, as they gave the visitors a torrid time with their incessant running.

Young was a bundle of energy up and down the left flank as well, and he pulled something from his attacking toolkit to grant his team what turned out to be an unassailable 3-0 lead.

Young had the talk to back it up too, as he constantly gave his own players picong when they made an error or failed to latch on to one of his through passes.

Gasparillo (eight points) were desperately trying to stay in the contest to keep their hopes of finishing in Group B’s top three alive. And Ranghel shuffled his pack, as he pushed giant centre back Josiah Cooper into the midfield in a swap with Daunte Julien.

“We realized that they were capitalizing in the middle of the park and we wanted to close things up a bit,” said Ranghel. “We put Cooper in the middle to get a little more push and power in the centre of the field. It did work for us. But unfortunately, we didn’t capitalize on our chances and the three goals that were scored in quick succession took us out of the game.

“It was a tough break.”

Cooper did indeed have an impact, as his physical presence gave the Connection central defensive pairing of Jacquil Adams and Sahrai Mitchell something to think about. He held nothing back in his tackles either.

Diminutive Connection flanker Josiah Hypolite would testify to that, as he was swiftly substituted with a nasty gash on his knee after a ferocious Cooper tackle near the Gasparillo technical area.

The lively Yellows, who could have easily had a hat-trick on another day, also limped off the field after picking up a knock to his ankle while both sets of coaches urged referee Andrew Samuel to take control of the game.

“Come on referee—remember these are youths we dealing with eh!” Connection assistant coach Kerry Jamerson shouted from the sidelines, with his complaints echoed by head coach and former Strike Squad teammate Brian Williams.

On the field, Gasparillo were slowly clawing themselves back into the contest. Cooper linked well with his striker and captain Ricardo Williams, who won a penalty after being upended in the box by Young in the 51st minute.

Gasparillo midfielder Terrell Rajoon calmly cut the deficit to two goals, as he beat the despairing dive of Connection goalie Zeronn Collymore.

Could the Gasparillo unit mount an improbable comeback against the table-toppers on enemy territory?

With better finishing, Gasparillo might have managed a comeback story for the ages!

Just past the hour mark, Gasparillo flanker Jabari Forbes blazed over at the back stick following a delicious left side corner from substitute Ayche Allum Sanders. Then, in the 83rd minute, the tireless Williams (R) just couldn’t squeeze a shot around Collymore after being played through on goal by a slick pass.

Collymore was called into action once more before Samuel blew his final whistle, as he did well to hold on to a stinging left-footed volley from outside the area by Allum Sanders.

In the end, Gasparillo had little to show for all their second half fight and gusto. And now, Ranghel’s team must defeat Point Fortin Youth FA (ten points) in their final group game on Thursday and hope other results go in their favour—if they are to secure a top three place in Group B and qualify for the 2022/23 NLCL quarterfinal stage.

Connection, Made in La Brea and the impressive defending champs Soccer Made Simple (SMS), who stormed to an impressive 6-1 win over Trendsetter Hawks at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar yesterday, have already booked spots in the knockout stage.

At present, Connection’s immediate concerns are altogether different to Gasparillo’s.

“I was a bit disappointed with how we fell away in the second half,” Williams (B) told Wired868. “But again, they are young boys and we’re really trying for them to keep that tempo for the 90 minutes—I know how difficult that could be. Taking into consideration that the ground conditions were a little challenging, they responded well.

“It’s just to keep the concentration and the right rotation of the players. That kinda management is important for us to look at. Overall, I was pleased about the performance this afternoon.”

Only the defending champs SMS (23 points) have bettered Connection’s 22-point haul in the current season to date. Still, Williams (B), a former Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 team coach, remained coy about his team’s NLCL title aspirations.

“We are taking it one step at a time,” said the Connection coach. “If we finish on top of the group, we’d look at our quarterfinal opponent and try to take it right to the end of the tournament. We are very much optimistic about doing well.

“We are aware of the levels of youth football in Trinidad and Tobago. We are trying to create the right environment for these kids and them to progress and do well. At the end of the day, it’s a representation of the national team and the bigger picture.”

At present, a pretty picture is being painted by the young Connection outfit. And with their bulldozing captain Caleb Boyce leading the line, they will definitely take some stopping in this NLCL campaign.

(Teams)

W Connection FC (4-3-3): 1.Zeronn Collymore (GK); 3.Camron Wylie (26.Terrence Worrell 58), 23.Jacquil Adams, 17.Sahrai Mitchell, 2.Duhrell Young; 32.Ethan Trotman (19.Akilu Joseph halftime), 29.Kaylon Baptiste, 6.Levi Jones; 24.Josiah Hypolite (35.Kaeden Thomas-Robinson 59), 10.Caleb Boyce (captain) (27.Micah Brathwaite 82), 34.Maliki Clement (8.Malik Brathwaite 64).

Unused substitutes: 22.Andre Gomez (GK), 9.Chaz Forde, 36.Isiah Worrell, 99.Shawn Boodram.

Coach: Brian Williams

Gasparillo Youths (4-2-3-1): 1.Jerelle Thorne (GK); 18.Jaheim Abraham (2.Jayden Rodriguez 87), 6.Aaron Oudit, 5.Josiah Cooper, 66.Gyasi Pinder (99.Hakeem Lange 48); 16.Josiah Bain (20.Jahlown Lewis 53), 17.Terrell Rajoon; 8.Jabari Forbes, 14.Daunte Julien, 19.Darren Griffith (10.Ayche Allum Sanders 53); 80.Ricardo Williams (captain).

Unused substitutes: 3.Jaden Alexander, 4.Tyrell Joefield, 7.Jaden Joseph, 9.Malik Young, 12.Abayomi George.

Coach: Mark Ranghel

Referee: Andrew Samuel

Wired868 Man of the Match: Caleb Boyce

NLCL Under-19 Community Cup

(Sunday 22 January)

(Group A)

Malabar Young Stars 2, Santa Cruz United 2 at Larry Gomes Stadium;

Soccer Made Simple 6, Trendsetter Hawks 1 at Larry Gomes Stadium;

T&T Maestros 3, World Class Soccer Clinic 4 at Fiver Rivers.

(Group B)

W Connection FC 3 (Caleb Boyce 19, 20, Duhrell Young 22), Gasparillo Youths 1 (Terrell Rajoon pen 51) at Plaisance Park Recreation Ground;

Point Fortin Youth FA 4, Moruga FC 1 at Mahaica Oval;

Cunupia FC 0, Made in La Brea 0 at Balmain Recreation Ground.

(Group C)

Eagles FC 1, Georgia FC 1 at Mt St George Recreation Ground;

Roxborough Lakers 0, Ball Blasters FA 2 at Mt St George recreation Ground.

[Tallman]

Budding talents set to shine in NLCL U19 All-Star Game
By David Scarlett (T&T Newsday)

FOLLOWING an intense quarterfinal round in the Next Level Consulting Limited Under-19 Community Cup, the competition pauses to host the highly anticipated All-Star Game at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima, on February 12.

Contested between the best players from North/East/Tobago and South/Central, the fixture has been a staple of the tournament since its inception in 2019. Now in its third edition, players and fans alike are looking forward to a match that awards bragging rights and the opportunity for players to be observed by international scouts.

In the 2022 All-Star Game, the St Benedict’s College duo of Derrell Garcia and Nicholas Bobcombe scored to lead the South/Central All-Stars to a 3-1 victory. Both players went on to excel in the 2022 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Premiership and Garcia is now a part of the National Men’s Under-17 team – which is a testament to the match’s significance.

Tournament chairman Brian Jordan spoke with Newsday about the upcoming ‘Clasico’ and emphasised the importance of the fixture. “The NLCL U19 Community Cup seeks to recognise the top performers from each team during the season”, he said. “Beyond recognition, we also seek to showcase them to local and international audiences in the annual All Star game. Flow Sports will be our international broadcast partner for the game.”

Like the last tournament, the match will be held in mid-tournament rather than at the end of the season. Jordan also explained why this decision was made: “Starting last season, our marketing consultant advised that we shift from following the season to and of season to take advantage of match fitness and to ensure games were played at a higher level with smaller risk of injuries, as a result.”

“Keeping in mind that the gap following the completion of the group stages to the Championship game is almost a month, and the All Star game is now being held in the height of tournament fan interest and before the Champions are crowned.”

This year’s All-Star roster was announced on February 8. Standout players such as Phillip Tinto, Larry Noel and Caleb Boyce were included for their exceptional performances during the tournament’s previous stages.

The players were selected by members of the participating teams and by the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP) Committee comprising of coaches such as Hutson Charles, Michael Grayson and Dexter Cyrus. Fan voting was also a part of the deliberation process.

Despite the match being barren of a battle for a major trophy, Jordan is confident that the players will produce an entertaining show for the fans as there are possible international opportunities available to the players. He stated, “We are looking forward to the fans of each team and player coming out to support a good competitive game of football. Think the idea of these talented young players being scouted locally and internationally will bring out the best in them.”

The NLCL All-Star Game will kick off at 4pm on Sunday, and will be broadcasted on Flow Sports. The entrance fee for adults stands at $30.00 while children are allowed to watch the match at no cost.

This weekend’s action will be followed the tournament’s semifinals on February 19 as the champions Soccer Made Simple battle Tobago’s Ball Blasters and W Connection will face World Class Soccer Clinic for a place in the final.

FULL NLCL ALL-STAR ROSTER

NORTH/EAST/TOBAGO ALL-STARS:

Xavion Haynes (GK – Soccer Made Simple), Tyrese Carrington (GK – Eagles FC); Josiah Shade (DF – Malabar Young Stars), Kershawn Diaz (DF – World Class SC), Tyrell Stapleton (DF – World Class SC), De Jon Lezema (DF – T&T Maestros), Ethan Friday (DF – Malabar Young Stars), Tyrell Innis (DF – Soccer Made Simple), Deshawne Browne (DF – World Class SC); Jaden McShine (MF – Trendsetter Hawks), Ishmael Lewis (MF – Santa Cruz United), Philip Tinto (MF – Soccer Made Simple), Theron O’Brien (MF – World Class SC), Seledze Duke (MF – Roxborough Lakers), Micah Nelson (MF – Soccer Made Simple), Keanu Botswaine (MF – Eagles FC); Terron Miller (FW – Soccer Made Simple), Kishawn Sandy (FW – Georgia FC), Christopher Slater (FW – T&T Maestros), Jameel Hassan (FW – Trendsetter Hawks); Larry Noel (ST – Soccer Made Simple), Kyle James (Ball Blasters FA)

SOUTH/CENTRAL ALL-STARS:

Jaden Turner (GK – Moruga FC), Zeronn Collymore (GK – W Connection), Jerelle Thorne (GK – Gasparillo Youths); Duhrell Young (DF – W Connection), Keanu Morean (DF – Cunupia FC), Tyriese Neptune (DF – Made In La Brea), Jaheim Abraham (DF – Gasparillo Youths), Anthony Williams (DF – Moruga FC), Kylon Cayenne (DF – Point Fortin YFA), Sahrari Mitchell (DF – W Connection); Luke Phillip (MF – Made In La Brea), Ja-Mahler Barclay (MF – Moruga FC), Jordan Lara (MF – Cunupia FC), Danyel Drayton (Point Fortin YFA), Rayshawn Chrichlow (MF – Cunupia FC), Simon Modeste (Made In La Brea); Akiel Vesprey (FW – Made In La Brea), Maliki Clement (FW – W Connection), Ricardo Williams (FW – Gasparillo Youths), Serryon Mitchell (FW – Point Fortin YFA); Caleb Boyce (ST – W Connection), Jaden Grant (ST – Cunupia FC)

[Flex]

NLCL 23: Noel and “Super Gio” star as SMS and World Class down Blasters and Connection in semis.
By Roneil Walcott (Wired868).

Eastern rivals Wold Class Soccer Clinic (WCSC) and defending champions Soccer Made Simple (SMS) will meet in the 2022/23 Next Level Consultant Ltd (NLCL) U19 Community Cup final on Sunday after getting contrasting semifinal wins at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella yesterday.

Just as they did in last year’s NLCL semis, SMS made light work of a Tobago outfit, as they brushed aside Ball Blasters YA to storm to their second straight final with a thumping 5-1 triumph.

The lethal SMS attacking duo of Larry Noel and 2022 NLCL MVP Terron Miller were the catalysts, with Noel bagging a hat-trick while Miller helped himself to a double—as the easterners benefited from more than generous goalkeeping by Ball Blasters custodian Jeavon Christmas.

The two-island republic is enjoying Carnival celebrations at present. However, the aptly named Christmas still appeared to be in the season of giving as his glove-work left a lot to be desired.

Christmas’ spills from crosses and shots and a terrible “leave alone” shout at his near post was meat and drink for Miller, while ace marksman Noel may not get a more comfortable hat-trick in a hurry.

Next Sunday, SMS can expect a right battle from their neighbors World Class Soccer Clinic though—whom they have already met twice this season in league play.

Yesterday, World Class showed great fight, determination and a touch of class as well as they twice came from a goal behind to beat W Connection FC 3-2 in a five-goal thriller.

Perhaps more remarkably, World Class coach Andre Morales pulled off this dramatic comeback while playing with ten men for the last half hour, due to the sending off of centre back Deshawn Browne.

Super-sub Giovanni Hospedales did the business for the Aranguez Savannah-based team, with two brilliant headers past Connection goalie Zeronn Collymore to stun the “Savonetta Boys” who were led from the sidelines by former Strike Squad teammates Brian Williams and Kerry Jamerson.

It was quite the turnaround, as Connection midfielder Adah Barclay missed a glorious chance to add to his team’s 2-1 lead from the penalty spot in the 62nd minute following Browne’s sending-off for a second bookable offence.

Barclay strode up and struck his right-footed penalty off the base of World Class goalkeeper Josiah Morris’ post and out of play for a goal kick. A sprinkling of World Class spectators muttered that justice had been served.

“I honestly thought that was it there for us,” Morales told Wired868, as he watched Barclay come face-to-face with Morris from 12 yards out. “We were down to ten men and there was a penalty against us. Going 3-1 down with little time left could’ve been curtains for us.

“But when that ball struck the post, I said it seems like the gods are with us today.”

Just minutes before, the woodwork played into Barclay’s favour to put Connection 2-1 up, as his bombing shot from outside the area thumped the post and settled in the goal after a cruel rebound off of Morris.

But, relieved by Barclay’s penalty miss, the 10 remaining World Class players were on Connection like white on rice, as they relentlessly pursued an equaliser and then a go-ahead goal.

After Browne’s ejection, Morales altered their formation from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3, with central midfielder Akido Crichlow seamlessly filling the defensive void left by Browne.

Centre forward Nkosi Ambrose came off the bench to lead World Class’ suffocating press while fellow substitute Hospedales and flanker Theron O’Brien did not neglect their defensive duties either.

In possession, World Class sought to get Hospedales and O’Brien free down the wings, while they also used caused Connection all manner of trouble with the route one approach.

“With the pace of the two strikers that came on, the over-the-top ball was the obvious choice for the defenders and midfielders as well,” said Morales. “We knew the pace of Ambrose and Hospedales would give any defence trouble. I didn’t even need to call out that play.”

In the first half, Morales asked his wingers to stay at home to help address Connection’s threat down the flanks. But he took them off the leash in the second half.

“I was comfortable with the halftime score,” Morales said of Connection’s 1-nil lead at the interval, through their captain Caleb Boyce. “When Giovanni and Nikosi came on, I said it was time for Connection’s defence to be on the back [foot] for sure.”

O’Brien quickly restored parity for World Class with a sweet finish from close range, as Connection were caught out by a swift move down the right. Barclay restored the advantage for the Couva-based club.

But, after Barclay’s relationship with the goalpost soured from the penalty spot, World Class embarked on an improbable comeback.

Hospedales, a 16-year-old St Augustine Secondary schoolboy, headed past Collymore in the 70th minute to equalise—off a diagonal ball into the opposing area by Crichlow.

“That wasn’t by luck,” Morales said, of the impact by Ambrose and Hospedales from off the bench. “The idea today was similar to what we did in the quarterfinals. We kinda wanted to feel out the team and then enhance our attack in the latter part of the game.

“My wingers who were on before were instructed to drop back and help out the fullbacks as much as possible. The idea was for them to do that in the first half and then put on the two star strikers in Giovanni and Nkosi to enhance the attack.

“From there, we expected to get more pace up top and the plan worked beautifully.”

Connection had lost all their rhythm by then. Wide men Maliki “Yellows” Clement and Chaz Forde were taken off, while Boyce looked an increasingly isolated figure up top.

The Savonetta Boys still carried some threat from distance, and Barclay’s Presentation College (San Fernando) schoolmate Levi Jones did not miss by much with an effort from the edge of the area in the 77th minute.

But, at the other end, Connection struggled to negate the World Class runners.

“I must say props to World Class Soccer Clinic,” said Williams. “They showed good fighting spirit which is key for young footballers. I was disappointed with the result but it was a pretty decent game.

“Sometimes these things happen in a football game and I told the youngsters it’s part of the learning process. It’s part of the sport and we all have to live with it. I think we kinda lost the steadiness of the midfield with those substitutions.”

In the 82nd minute, Ambrose’s relentless one-man pressing nearly led to a calamitous mixup between Collymore and his central defender Sahrai Mitchell. As Ambrose closed in, Mitchell—who was trying to deal with a long punt by opposing midfielder Jearon Ellis—inexplicably volleyed a pass back to Collymore.

The goalkeeper’s heavy first touch nearly left him with egg on his face, but Connection just about cleared their lines then.

Six minutes later, there would be no escape though.

The silky Hospedales won a free kick near the left sideline, after wrestling back possession from his opponent. And from the ensuing Jahronite Pierre set piece, the winger timed his jump to perfection to beat the onrushing Collymore with a neat, glanced header into the far corner.

Like Lil Natty and Thunda, young Hospedales was causing pandemonium at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, as his heading clinic punched World Class’ ticket through to the final.

Hospedales also found the back of the net with a scrumptious header against Made in La Brea in the NLCL quarterfinal and Morales said it was a recent addition to the player’s toolkit.

“He strikes the ball really well—he’s good with his left and right foot and he is full of confidence as well,” said Morales. “His strong point is actually shooting the ball. Sometime last year we started to work with him on his headers because of his height and he just fell in love with it.

“If he scored two goals with his feet this season that’s a lot. Most of his goals right now are actually coming from headers.”

For Connection, it was a tale of what could have been as they blew a second half lead and failed to capitalise on having an extra player for the last 30 or so minutes.

“I think that penalty miss was the game-changing moment really, that was the opportunity for us to kill off the game,” said Williams. “The season has been a good one. We’ve been away from the football field for two-plus years. I must again say kudos to the organizers for having an event like this where the youths can showcase their talents.

“I was pleased with how the boys were receptive to the work we were doing over the last three months and it’s only for us to build from here.”

World Class now have a NLCL final date with defending champs Soccer Made Simple, who are unbeaten through 12 games in this campaign.

SMS won their first meeting this season by a handy 4-1 margin while they played to a draw in their second clash.

“That’s our neighbor inno—when we open the door we see SMS and vice versa,” said Morales. “We train not too far from each other and we’re familiar with them. It’s a friendly neighborhood [but] the game against them is never friendly though.

“We are looking forward to it. We lost one and then drew against them in the group stage, so I think it’s time to win this one now.”

“We will be coming for the win against SMS and we will be sure to put our best foot forward!”

Will Miller, Noel and SMS clinch back-to-back NLCL titles and pocket the $7500 top prize? Or will World class and their super-subs once again rise to the occasion with their backs against the wall?

One thing’s for certain, the NLCL trophy will call east Trinidad its home for another year.

(Teams)

Soccer Made Simple (4-3-3): 1.Xavion Haynes (GK) (25.Aidan Raymond GK 59); 16.Alex Piper, 2.Jeremy Bobb, 6.Andre Providence (3.Akil Henry 46), 23.Tyrell Inniss (captain); 17.Philip Tinto (14.Jeremiah Frank-Williams 59), 5.Kanye Baker (27.Arron Raymond 65), 10.Micah Nelson; 20.Liam Dayal (15.Nathan George 65), 9.Larry Noel (18.Israel Joseph 75), 11.Terron Miller (29.Darius Bruce 75).

Unused substitutes: 3.Akil Henry, 12.Hasheem Hill.

Coach: Kieve Vanloo

Ball Blasters YA (4-2-3-1): 1.Jeavon Christmas (GK); 5.Lennox Eastman, 23.Jonathan Marks (captain), 12.Imanhi Forbes, 4.Mario Periera; 16.Jaden Richardson, 6.Kerron Arthur (11.Israel Trim 54); 9.Jaquon De Four (14.Jamell Bartholomew 46), 8.Malik Wilson (19.Yashua Muhammad 65), 10.Roderick Marcelle (20.D’Reem Taylor 46); 7.Kyle James (13.Ishmael Bruce 72).

Unused substitutes: 21.Deiondre Eastman, 31.Rondell Marcelle.

Coach: Downie Marcelle

(Teams)

W Connection FC (4-3-3): 1.Zeronn Collymore (GK); 26.Terrence Worrell, 29.Kaylon Baptiste, 17.Sahrai Mitchell, 2.Duhrell Young; 7.Adah Barclay, 32.Ethan Trotman (19.Aklilu Joseph 60), 6.Levi Jones; 9.Chaz Forde (24.Josiah Hypolite 68), 10.Caleb Boyce (captain), 34.Maliki Clement (35.Kaeden Thomas-Robinson 79).

Unused substitutes: 18.Josiah Chandler (GK), 3.Camron Whyle, 23.Jacquil Adams, 27.Micah Brathwaite.

Coach: Brian Williams

World Class Soccer Clinic (4-3-3): 1.Josiah Morris (GK); 20.Tyrell Stapleton, 8.Keshawn Diaz (captain), 4.Deshawn Browne [red card 62], 21.Jahronite Pierre; 16.Quamy Waithe (11.Giovanni Hospedales 46), 5.Akido Crichlow, 19.Jearon Ellis; 13.Theron O’Brien, 10.Anthony Samuel (7.Kendell Castle 77), 17.Jeremy Christian (3.Nkosi Ambrose 46).

Unused substitutes: 6.Obadiah Eyeaderosiyhia, 15.Cameron Gulston, 18.Jahdel Chase-Charles.

Coach: Andre Morales

Referee: Cleavon Joseph

Wired868 Man of the Match: Giovanni Hospedales (World Class Soccer Clinic)

NLCL U19 Community Cup Semifinals

(Sunday 19 February)

Soccer Made Simple 5 (Larry Noel 3, 17, 69, Terron Miller 29, 55), Ball Blasters YA 1 (D’Reem Taylor 83) at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;

W Connection FC 2 (Caleb Boyce 33, Josiah Morris own goal 54), World Class Soccer Clinic 3 (Theron O’Brien 48, Giovanni Hospedales 70, 88) at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.

[Tallman]

Soccer Made Simple retain NLCL crown in thrilling Championship battle
By David Scarlett (T&T Newsday)

SOCCER Made Simple (SMS) retain NLCL crown in thrilling Championship battle

Defending champions of the Next Level Consulting Limited (NLCL) Under-19 Community Cup, Soccer Made Simple, kept their grip on the coveted trophy after defeating eastern rivals, World Class Soccer Clinic, 2-0 in the final at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima, on Sunday afternoon.

Unbeaten throughout the group stage, “SMS” sailed to the final having extraordinary success in the knockout round.

En route to the final, they comfortably overcame the top two teams from Tobago – beating Eagles FC 3-0 in the quarterfinal and Ball Blasters Football Academy 5-1 in the semifinal.

In the final, they faced an impressive “World Class” team who had endured an eye-catching run themselves. Their feat before the Championship game was defeating W Connection 3-2 in the semifinal having played half of the second period with ten men.

Fans filled the covered stands of the Larry Gomes Stadium to witness the nation’s brightest under-19 talents, particularly the top two scorers in the tournament – Larry Noel and Terron Miller – who play for the defending champions.

The match began similar to a chess match as “World Class” coach, Andre Morales, altered his usual system to accommodate a defensive setup in an attempt to tranquillise SMS’s lethal attacking duo.

However, in the 32nd minute, the inevitable occurred in poetic fashion as in-form Larry Noel – at the Larry (Gomes) Stadium – opened the scoring to put the champions ahead. The San Juan North Secondary striker was impressive in last year’s Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Premiership and he continued his clinical finishing to grace this tournament and the final.

Noel and Miller continued to be a nuisance to WCSC along with the midfield partnership Philip Tinto and Micah Nelson, who served as the engine to the SMS machine.

The majority of SMS’s plays were dictated by Tinto and Nelson as the team executed fluent passes in their 4-2-3-1 formation. They were also solid when the team later transitioned to a 4-3-1-2 setup to put pressure on WCSC’s nervous back line. The champions were ultimately rewarded for their pressing play in the 72nd minute as Noel ran onto a defence-splitting through-ball which created a 2v1 situation with himself and Miller against goalkeeper Josiah Morris. As Morris attempted to stop Noel’s charge, the San Juan striker laid the ball off to Miller who tapped home into an empty net. At full-time, SMS celebrated their second consecutive NLCL Community Cup title and their coach, Stephen Williams, joked that if they win it for the third consecutive time, the competition should be renamed the SMS Cup.

SMS also swept the individual awards, claiming every prize there was to win – MVP (Tyrell Inniss), Best Goalkeeper (Xavion Haynes), Best Defender (Tyrell Inniss), Best Midfielder (Philip Tinto), Top Goalscorer (Larry Noel, 10 goals) and Best Coach (Stephen Williams).

For WCSC, they will have to lift their heads and prepare for the upcoming TT Youth League (Under-17 division). Prior to the final, W Connection and Ball Blasters Football Academy battled for third place at the same venue. After D’Reem Taylor’s opener for Ball Blasters in the 32nd and Duhrell Young’s equalising penalty in the 51st penalty, the match ended 1-1 at full-time and had to be decided through kicks from the penalty mark.

‘Connection’ goalkeeper Zerron Collymore turned out to be the star of the show, saving three penalties as his teammates got the scoring job done and led the ‘Savonetta Boys’ to a 4-1 victory from the penalty mark.

With the NLCL Under-19 Community Cup now successfully completed, local youth football will be continued by the TTFA via the Republic Bank National Under-20 Youth League and the National Under-17 Youth League, which are yet to have an official start date.

[Tallman]

QPCC, Point Fortin top NLCL U-19 groups ahead of quarters
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)

QPCC and Point Fortin Youth Academy topped their respective groups when groups A and B of the 2023/24 Next Level Consulting Ltd (NLCL) under-19 community cup concluded on February 11 (Carnival Sunday).

QPCC amassed 29 points from their 12 matches to top group A, with Point Fortin racking up 23 points from ten matches to finish atop the six-team group B. The top three teams from groups A and B both booked automatic spots for next month’s quarter-finals.

At the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, QPCC took their season’s tally to 53 goals when they got a thumping 6-0 win over the cellar-placed Cantaro United, who finished group play without a point to their name. Both Luke Correia and Steven Griffth scored a double for QPCC, with former TT under-17 player Aydon Caruth also finding the back of the net for the Parkites.

In the second game of a doubleheader in Malabar, Athletic International Academy (AIA) consolidated third spot in group A when they hammered the fifth-placed Malabar Young Stars by a 5-1 margin. The St Anthony’s College attacking pair of Theo Crovador and Jean-Marc Thomas scored two goals apiece as AIA finished the group phase of the competition on a high. AIA ended the group on 24 points, two behind two-time reigning champions Soccer Made Simple (26 points) and five points back of group winners QPCC.

Caledonia (20 points) maintained fourth spot in group A when they got a huge 7-2 win over Blast FC in a nine-goal affair at the Morvant recreation ground. Keiron Hinds scored a hat-trick to lead the Caledonia charge, with Leikwon David also registering a double to leave the visiting Blast team empty-handed.

With their fourth-place finish in the group, Caledonia will now meet group B’s fourth-place team, Made in La Brea, in a playoff match at the Mahaica Sporting Complex, Point Fortin on Thursday for a spot in the quarter-final.

Point Fortin did not need to kick a ball to secure top spot in group B on Sunday, as they won their game against table-proppers Moruga FC by default.

Gasparillo Youths (22 points) finished a close second in group B as they came from behind to get a 3-1 win over Kamillionare FC at St Mary’s recreation ground in Moruga. Kamillionare got a 15th-minute lead through Kemarley George, but Gasparillo responded in emphatic fashion as Jerrell Griffith scored three unanswered goals to complete the comeback win for his team.

In a battle between the third-place Central Soccer World (CSW) and Made in La Brea, the former team displayed their dominance as they stormed to a 5-1 comeback victory in Balmain, Couva. Jalon Jones opened the scoring for Made in La Brea in the seventh minute, but CSW took full control of the game thereafter as they led by a 2-1 margin at the half before adding three more goals in the second half. Jelani Stoute scored in either half for CSW as they finished group play on 19 points. Made in La Brea ended the group on 13 points.

In group C action in Tobago, Ball Blasters Youth FA (12 points) continued their perfect run with a 2-1 comeback win over Eagles FC at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet. Jarion Dennis scored in the 38th minute for Eagles, but second-half goals by Imanhi Forbes and Mario Pereira cut their flight short. Ball Blasters will be Tobago’s sole representative in the quarter-final.

[Tallman]

QPCC-City FC blanks AIA for NLCL U-19 Cup
T&T Guardian

Three different players were on target in the second-half to lead QPCC-City FC to a 3-0 defeat of ZA Limity AIA in the Next Level Consulting Limited (NLCL) Under-19 Division Football Community Cup final at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, on Sunday.

Following a goalless first-half, Kade Collier opened the scoring for QPCC-City FC in the 55th minute, and they had to wait until eight minutes from full-time before national youth team player, and eventual tournament “Most Valuable Player” award recipient Caden Trestrail doubled the lead followed a penalty conversion in the first minutes of time added-on by Darius Jordan to put the cap off a stellar second-half performance.

In the semifinals last week, QPCC-City FC made certain a new champion will be crowned after two years when they edged two-time reigning champion Soccer Made Simple 1-0 at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella Collier netting a dramatic injury-time winner, while AIA blanked Ball Blasters Youth Academy of Tobago 2-0 with Jahdel Chase-Charles and Jean-Marc Thomas the scorers.

The scheduled third place match between Ball Blasters of Tobago and Soccer Made Simple was not contested after tournament organizers were unable to secure same day flight arrangements on Caribbean Airlines for the Group C winners, Ball Blasters Youth Academy.

Exhaustive further attempts were made to have team travel by sea-bridge and overnight prior to game, however, Ball Blasters found it challenging to field a team given those circumstances, and graciously advised that they would not be able to make it.

Individual Awards

Rising Star Best Upcoming Player: Malerkey Fraser (Gasparillo Youths)

Best Defender: Yohance Artherton (QPCC-City FC)

Best Goalkeeper: Joash Harris (AIA)

Best Midfielder: Theo Crovador (AIA)

Best Striker: Caden Trestrail (QPCC-City FC)

Most Goals: Caden Trestrail (QPCC-City FC)