Clico San Juan Jabloteh motored into the Toyota Classic Cup semi-finals yesterday evening with an emphatic 5-0 win over Tobago United at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.
It might prove a tame end to a less than stellar spell in the top flight from the representatives from the "Sister Isle" who showed up with just 14 players and lacked the legs and inspiration to cope.
Tobago captain and marquee player Collie Hercules was starved of possession in threatening areas and the contest was effectively over when Willis Plaza shot Jabloteh ahead in the 20th minute. It was a worthy game-winner.
Plaza, one of five teenagers in Jabloteh's starting line-up, surprised Tobago goalkeeper Richard Reynolds with a firm low left footer from distance that flew into the far corner. The young attacking midfielder was instrumental in Jabloteh's second too, although Tobago had two opportunities to clear before Plaza set up striker Jerol Forbes for a close-range finish.
It was Forbes' 19th goal this season and Tobago stopper Jamal Jack helped him to number 20 with some suicidal defending as Forbes stripped the defender to tap home Jabloteh's third, two minutes before the interval.
Forbes completed his hat-trick in the 50th minute after being sent clear by Cyrano Glen, younger brother of 2006 World Cup standout and Jabloteh teammate Cornell Glen.
Jabloteh coach Terry Fenwick withdrew captain Trent Noel at the interval and Forbes was also rested before the hour mark. They will surely have more important assignments within the next nine days.
Jason Marcano stayed on, though, and produced his second late item in successive games with a neat "banana" shot that curled around the outstretched hands of Tobago's substitute goalkeeper Javid Joseph and nestled in the far corner.
It might be a good time for Marcano to request a raise judging by the ecstatic reaction to his goal by the Jabloteh board members. Of course, they might counter that Marcano's salary already covers the occasional brilliant goal.
But are Tobago United value for money?
The Trinidad and Tobago Pro League must make a decision soon on the fate of the domestic league's recurring whipping boys.
Yesterday's Games
San Juan Jabloteh 5 (Willis Plaza 22, Jerol Forbes 30, 43, 50, Jason Marcano 88) v Tobago United 0
Joe Public 1 (Gregory Richardson 45) v St Ann's Rangers 2 (Devon Modeste 49, Marvin James 52)
United Petrotrin 0 v Caledonia AIA 2 (Densill Theobald 51, Kareem Joseph 80)
W Connection 1 (Igor Santos 65) v North East Stars 2 (John Stewart 27, Brent Sancho 39)