CLUB NEWS:
21-Mar-2006
- There is a strong possibility that Pro League Champions
Vibe CT 105 W Connection may have to do without the services of
their experienced captain Earl Jean and National defender David
Atiba Charles for the 2006 season. ... More.
10-Feb-2006
- Devon Mitchell and Michael Celestine have been snapped up
by Vibe CT 105 W Connection for the upcoming 2006 Pro League
football season. ... More.
26-Jan-2006
- Influential Brazilian midfielder Gefferson Goulart of W
Connection has signed a 2-year deal with top South Korean club
Buscan Park. ... More.
25-Nov-2005
- W Connection stayed on course for their fourth trophy of
the season when they hammered National Super League team WASA Clean
& White by a 6-2 margin in a FA Trophy first round match at the
Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, on Wednesday night. ... More.
06-Nov-2005
- Brazilian Gefferson Da Silva Goulart goal over San Juan
Jabloteh was enought to help W Connection clinch the 2005 Toyota
Cup. ... More.
30-Oct-2005
- W Connection and San Juan Jabloteh showed how penalty kicks
should be taken as they beat Defence Force and Joe Public,
respectively, to reach the final of the inaugural Toyota Classic
competition. ... More.
20-Oct-2005 - W
Connection are just a victory away from wrapping up the T&T Pro
League title. The Central-based team stretched their lead to a clear
15 points after coming away comfortable 4-0 victors over Tobago
United on Tuesday night. ... More.
02-Oct-2005 - For
the second straight year, W Connection prevailed by penalty kicks to
lift the First Citizens Bank (FCB) Cup at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium,
Marabella on Friday. The "Savonetta Boys" walked away with
a 3-1 triumph over CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh after both teams
were goalless after regulation time. No extra time was played under
tournament rules. ... More.
25-Sept-2005 - Andre
Toussaint scored two well taken goals to steer two-time winners and
current Cup holders VIBE CT W Connection to a 4-0 win over Defence
Force in the semifinals of the First Citizens Bank Cup Tournament.
... More.
10-Sept-2005 - Already
boasting three of the league’s top goal-scorers in Andre
Toussaint, Earl Jean and Gefferson Goulart, T&T Professional
Football League Senior Division leaders VIBE CT 105 W Connection is
looking to bolster its strike force. ... More.
28-Aug-2005 - Andre
Toussaint and Atiba Charles scored first-half goals to help W
Connection maintain their 10-point lead at the top of the T&T
Professional Football League’s Senior Division standings. ... More.
18-Aug-2005 - League
Leaders W Connection have already made use of the transfer window
and have signed Jamaican defender Christopher Harvey and Guyanese
striker Randolph Jerome. ... More.
MetroStars pip W Connection
1-0. By: Nigel
Simon.
19-Mar-2005 - Striker Sergio Galvan Rey got the goal as visiting New
York/New Jersey MetroStars ended their two-match tour of Trinidad
with a 1-0 win over VIBE CT 105 W Connection at the Manny Ramjohn
Stadium in Marabella on Friday night. Each team finished the match
with 10 players as referee Ted Gordon dismissed W Connection
defender Atiba Charles in the 46th minute for a professional foul
while nine minutes from time guest player Devon Mitchell was shown
his second yellow card for diving, when it seemed he was clearly
fouled. Mitchell was one of three CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh
players used that night by the MetroStars, together with with
Nicholas Addlery and Kevaughn Connell.
But the Metro Stars must thank W Connection goalkeeper, Colombian
goalkeeper Alejandro Figueroa for handing them the lead in the 23rd
minute.
Figueroa chased down a through ball on the end-line, ten yards away
from his net, while MetroStars John Wolyniec, scorer of a double in
their 3-2 win over CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh on Tuesday also
give chase.
Wolyniec persistent seemed to throw-off Figueroa, who rushed to
clear the ball, but his errant pass was intercepted by Galvan Rey,
who fired into the vacant net before the goalkeeper managed to get
back into position.
The goal seemed to spark life into the W Connection players who
surged forward for the equaliser mainly through the play of
Brazilian midfielder Gefferson Goulart, but all their efforts
thwarted by goalkeeper Zach Wells.
Wells made an outstanding save in the 14th minute when he dove to
his right to stop a shot Ronaldo Viana.
Seven minutes later Wells met another Connection challenge when
forward William Da Silva Olivera unleashed a blast from 25 yards
out, but Wells was able to corral it.
One minute into the second-half the MetroStars were forced into a
change when W Connection defender Atiba Charles caught MetroStars
invitee Nicholas Addlery with a vicious elbow to the side of the
head.
Addlery, who scored for Jabloteh against the MLS club on Tuesday was
knocked unconscious and had to be helped off the field on a
stretcher while Charles was dismissed with a red card by referee
Gordon. Addlery was taken to hospital where he was kept overnight
and released at 6pm yesterday.
With the substitution of Oliveira, Gilberto and Earl Jean, who had a
quiet night by his standards, W Connection struggled to penetrate
the MetroStars defence as youngsters Clyde Leon, Lyndon Diaz, Bevon
Lewis and Hughton Hector found the going tough.
With nine minutes left, Mitchell seemed to be tripped over at the
edge of the penalty area by a W Connection defender, but instead of
getting the call in his favour, he was shown his second card of the
match reducing his team to 10 players. Chances were then few and far
between as the match withered away.
In the night’s first encounter, W Connection’s Under-16 players
blanked then national women’s team 4-0.
After a lacklustre performance by both teams, coach Bob Bradley of
MetroStars said he thought the W Connection players matched them in
every department but they just could not get through their very
tight defence.
He also had high praise for the three players from San Juan Jabloteh
who were drafted into his team for their final match-up-Devon
Mitchell, Kevaughn Connell and the unlucky Adderly.
Bradley and his squad left Trinidad yesterday morning for New York
where they will be going all out to better their 2004 MLS position
where they finished in mid-division. The 2005 MLS season begins on
Saturday April 2.
Scoring Summary:
MET- Galvan Rey 23'
Discipline Summary:
MET- Mendes (Caution; Professional Foul) 32'
WC- Charles (Sent Off; Professional Foul) 46'
MET- Mitchell (Caution; Professional Foul) 51'
MET- Agoos (Caution; Dissent) 58'
MET- Mitchell (Second caution, Sent off; Dive) 81'
MetroStars: Zach Wells, Jeff Agoos (Tim Regan 71'), Carlos
Mendes, Jeff Parke (Pierre Baizie 75'), Chris Leitch (Ademir Dos
Santos 75'), Amado Guevara (capt), Gilberto (Ramon Bailey 61),
Kevaughn Connell (Osni Neto 45'), Michael Bradley, John Wolyniec
(Nicholas Adderly 45', Devon Mitchell 49'), Sergio Galvan Rey.
Substitutes Not Used: Jason Hernandez, Seth Stammler, T.J
Tomasson, Mark Lisi, Jonny Walker.
W Connection: Alejandro Figueroa (Jan Michael Williams 45'),
Elijah Joseph, Gefferson Goulart (Clyde Leon 78'), David Atiba
Charles, Nicholson Thomas, Kevon Clement (Lyndon Diaz 78'), Andre
Pacheco, Andre Touissant (Hughton Hector 63'), Earl Jean (Bevon Lewis
78'), Ronaldo Viana (Dwight Scott 64'), William Da Silva Oliveira
(Brenton De Leon 78').
Substitutes Not Used: Jason Cudjoe.
Attendance: 2,124.
W Connection welcomes back
two Brazilians into the fold. By:
Joel Villafana - ttproleague.
22-Feb-2005 - The Brazilian pair of Gefferson Goulart and Ronaldo
Viana is back from their stint with Yugoslavian premier club FC
Zelnick and will don their W Connection shirts when the 2005 T&T
Pro League season gets underway.
Gefferson Goualart and Ronaldo Viana was on loan at FC
Zeleznik in Yugoslavia for the last seasons, but according to W
Connection’s chief cook and bottle washer David John Williams, FC
Zeleznik ran into some financial difficulty and was forced to release
the two Brazilians.
Hence, both Goulart and Viana are back and are expected to give the
Savonetta boys a big boost come the 2005 season.
However, there are mixed reactions coming from David John Williams,
he told the ‘ttproleague.com’ that while he will be happy the
two Brazilians are back to play for Connection, he said it would
have been nice for them to stay out in Europe and gain some
wonderful experience.
Nevertheless, John Williams is confident, come July when the
European transfer window re-opens both Goulart and Viana will be
snapped up by a European club.
Mr. John Williams also expressed the view that both Goulart and
Viana will enhance the look of the W Connection squad in the early
part of the 2005 season.
“Both players have played here for five years prior to their stint
in Europe and have helped W Connection win two championships as well
as several trophies, they have always been an integral part of our
set up, and they are very familiar with conditions in Trinidad, we
consider them senior players within the organization and this is
really a plus for us,” says Williams.
From Larne to the cool
Caribbean
and the next move for Aaron could be Holland. By
Michelle Magennis.
02-Jan-2005 - Former Northern Ireland Under-19 international Aaron
Black is carving out a new life for himself in the Caribbean having
moved from Ayr United to the slightly more glamorous surroundings of
Trinidad and Tobago.
But he may not be in the Caribbean too much longer as PSV Eindhoven
are among the clubs rumoured to be keen to acquire his signature.
Having come up through the ranks of Larne Youth, Aaron spent three
and a half years at Ayr United where he picked up two Scottish FA
Youth League medals and was a regular in the first team.
After being released at the end of last season he was due to join
recently promoted Scottish Premier League side, Inverness Caledonian
Thistle, until financial difficulties arose causing the deal to fall
through.
Aaron then turned his sights to foreign fields and with the help of
ex-Rangers player and Trinidadian international Russell Latapy a
deal was sealed with the island's top team, W-Connection.
He has settled in well to life in the Caribbean where the people
have been very welcoming to him and he feels that his move has been
extremely beneficial.
"I am really enjoying living and playing in Trinidad and it has
been a wonderful experience so far," he says thoutfully.
"It is a very technical and fast paced game here and the
standard is extremely high.
"There are a number of internationals in the team, including
Jamaicans, Trinidadias, Colombians and Brazilians and my game has
definitely improved by playing alongside such quality
players."Aaron's performance for W-Connection has brought about
interest from a number of clubs.
"I've had some inquiries from a couple of Dutch clubs and also
a few American sides, including Colorado Rapids and Charleston
Battery," he adds.
"However, there is also the option of staying here for another
season.
"So I will have to assess all of my options and make a decision
about my future." With the season finishing in December, Black
will be home for Christmas to rest and relax and decide his next
move.
Jose Luis Seabra voted W
Connection MVP.
By: Gregory Trujillo - T&T
Guardian Reports.
20-Dec-2004 - Brazilian Jose Luis Seabra crowned off a highly
successful season when he was voted “Player of the Year” of Vibe
CT 105 W Connection, at the club’s Christmas dinner and awards
function on Saturday at Gilbert Park Sports Facility in Point Lisas,
Couva.
Seabra was presented with his award by coach Reynold Carrington.
The Brazilian is awaiting word from the Ministry of National
Security to whom he has applied for citizenship. If successful, he
would qualify to represent T&T.
“I am very proud to receive the prize for the top footballer and I
hope that this will help my cause to get citizenship,” said
Seabra, who worked tirelessly in defence, midfield and attack for
his team in the T&T Professional Football League.
Seabra, who skippered the team many times during the season, helped
W Connection to win the Pro Bowl and the First Citizens Cup, and to
finish runner-up to North East Stars in the league.
St Lucian Titus Elva, who was not present because of an engagement
with his country’s national side, copped the award for the leading
goalscorer, while David Atiba Charles was chosen the “Most
Disciplined Player”.
Andre Pacheco (Under-20), Matthew Bartholomew (U-16) and Shandon
Winchester (U-14) were the MVP’s in their respective divisions.
Prizes were also presented to the top cricketers of Wanderers, which
is sponsored by W Connection.
Brent Lezama and Sangiz Gooljar were declared joint winners of the
MVP award in the Carib Division Two Senior Division for Wanderers,
which was the “Team of the Year” of the T&T Cricket Board of
Control.
Honour Roll:
U-14 Division
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Jareem Findley
MOST DISCIPLINED PLAYER: Mackenson David
MOST GOALS: Shandon Winchester
MVP: Shandon Winchester
U-16 Division:
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Abisa Hutson
MOST DISCIPLINED PLAYER: Keston Smith
MOST GOALS: Matthew Bartholomew
MVP: Matthew Bartholomew
U-20 Division:
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Kennedy Hinkson
MOST DISCIPLINED PLAYER: Devon Bristol
MOST GOALS: Gorian Highley
MVP: Andre Pacheco
Senior Division:
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Nicholson Thomas
MOST DISCIPLINED PLAYER: David Atiba Charles
MOST GOALS: Titus Elva
MVP: Jose Luis Seabra.
|
|
Search Here for W
Connection Supporters Shirts.
Partner Clubs.
Atletico
Paranaense.
FC Dallas.
Managers:
David John Williams - Trinidad.
Raymond McClean - Trinidad.
Marketing Director.
Renee John Williams - Trinidad.
Address:
Cor. Caribbean & Greenland Drives
Point Lisas Industrial Estate
Trinidad, West Indies
Phone: 1-868-679-4721 / 4726
Telefax: 1-868-679-476
Head Coach/Technical
Director:
Stuart Charles Fevrier - St
Lucia.
Assistant Coaches:
Benjamin Davies - Assistant Coach - England.
Desmond Bailey - Assistant Coach - Trinidad.
Leonson Lewis - Assistant Coach - Trinidad.
Trevor Nottingham - GK Coach - Trinidad.
Goalkeepers:
Joao Mansano -
Brazil.
Marvin Phillip - Trinidad.
Murilo Da Costa -
Brazil.
Defenders:
Andrei Pacheco - Trinidad.
André Ettienne - Trinidad.
Adisa Hutson - Trinidad.
Anthony Paris - Trinidad.
Akeem Adams - Trinidad.
Bevon Bass - Trinidad.
Christian Viveros - Colombia.
Douglas Da Costa - Brazil.
Elijah Joseph - St Lucia.
Gerrard Williams - St Kitts/Nevis.
Kern Cupid - Trinidad.
Kemmuel Rivers - Trinidad.
Marvin Manswell - Trinidad.
Nickcolson Thomas - Trinidad.
Renato Periera - Brazil.
Midfielders:
Aurtis Whitley - Trinidad.
Aurtis Whitley - Trinidad.
Atiba McKnight - Trinidad.
André Quashie - Trinidad.
Clyde Leon - Trinidad.
Dwight Scott - Trinidad.
Dwayne Thompson - Trinidad.
Eder Gilmar Aras - Colombia.
Hughton Hector - Trinidad.
Jose Luiz Seabra - Brazil.
Keron Cummings - Trinidad.
Keron Carib - Trinidad.
Ronaldo Viana
- Brazil.
Shannon Winchester - Trinidad.
William
De Silva Oliveira - Brazil.
Forwards:
Andre Toussaint - Trinidad.
Dwight Crichlow - Trinidad.
Dwight Scott - Trinidad.
Jonathan Rafael Fana Frias - Dominican Republic.
Kelvin Modeste - Trinidad.
Kerron Smith - Trinidad.
Oscar Torijano - Colombia.
Rolston James - Tobago.
(RIP - 1975 to 16th-Dec-2002).
Based:
Central - Trinidad.
Team
Photos:
Connection In Action Photo
1.
Connection In Action Photo
2.
Connection In Action Photo
3.
PFL Teams
Standings &
Scorers:
Click
Here.
Last
PFL/Big Six
Game Played:
01-Jul- 08 - W Connection 2 v 0
Defence Force.
Home Field:
Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva - Central
Trinidad/ Seating: 10,000.
Named after one of our most
recent track and field stars, Olympic medallist, Ato Boldon, the site
of this stadium lies in the central part of Trinidad, between Port of
Spain and San Fernando, with easy access from both points.
It is a regular sight to
see the cane being hauled by carriage and bull cart to the
factory where sugar, molasses bagasse board are processed. Our
fore fathers from India settled in these rural communities where
sugar cane farming and cattle rearing was their means of
livelihood.
SOME TOP W
CONNECTION GAMES:
1. FRIENDLY GAME:
W Connection 0 v 1 Venezuelan National Team.
15-Feb-00.
2. FRIENDLY GAME:
W Connection 3 v 3 Estudiantes Merida F.C. (Venezuela).
17-Feb-00.
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Valencius Joseph, Jose Manoel, Waldinei DosSantos.
3. FRIENDLY GAME:
W Connection 2 v 1 St. Lucia National Team.
17-Mar-00.
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Gefferson Goulart, Jose Manoel.
4. FRIENDLY GAME:
W Connection 2 v 1 Antigua National Team.
2-Apr-00.
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Renato Pereira, Jose Manoel.
5. FRIENDLY GAME:
W Connection 4 v 1 Hibernian (Scotland).
6. Caribbean Cup, 9-Nov-00:
W Connection 1 v 1 Tivoli Gardens FC (Jamaica).
W Connection Goal Scorer:
Reynold Carrington.
7. Caribbean Cup, 29-Nov-00:
W Connection 3 v 1 Harbour View FC (Jamaica).
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Gefferson Goulart, Titus Elva, Earl Jean.
8. Caribbean Cup:
W Connection 3 v 1 CRKSV Jong Colombia (Netherlands Antilles).
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Luciano Sato, José Manoel 2.
9. Caribbean Cup:
W Connection 8 v 0 Fruta Conquerors
(Guyana).
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Reynold Carington 2nd, Gefferson Goulart 19th, Jose Maria Manoel 20th,
Elijah Joseph 30th, Titus Elva 65th, 78th, 80th, Luciano Sato 88th.
10. FRIENDLY GAME:
W Connection 1 vs 1 Perugia (Italy).
W Connection Goal Scorer:
Earl Jean.
11.
FRIENDLY
GAME:
W Connection 0 vs 2 Perugia (Italy).
12.
FRIENDLY
GAME:
W Connection 3 vs 0 Neuenkircaten (Germany).
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Jose Manoel 2, Travis Mulraine.
13.
FRIENDLY
GAME:
W Connection 1 vs 0 St Pauli (Germany).
W Connection Goal Scorer:
Earl Jean.
14.
FRIENDLY
GAME:
W Connection 1 vs 2 Oberhausen (Germany).
15.
FRIENDLY
GAME:
W Connection 1 vs 1 Union Berlin (Germany).
W Connection Goal Scorer:
Jose Manoel.
16.
Caribbean
Cup - 11th, Oct, 01.
W Connection 4 vs 0 Racing Club (Haiti).
W Connection Goal Scorers:
David Atiba Charles 40th, 60th, Earl Jean 30th, Titus Elva.
17. FRIENDLY
GAME:
W Connection 3 v 1 Golden Star (Venezuela).
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Luciano Sato, Jose Manoel, David Charles.
18. FRIENDLY GAME - 14-Feb-2002.
W Connection 2 v 2 Portuguesa (Venezuela).
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Titus Elva, Travis Mulraine.
19. Concacaf Champions Cup.
W Connection 0 v 1 Kansas City Wizards (USA).
3-Mar-02.
20. FRIENDLY
GAME:
W Connection 0 v 3 Dallas Burn (USA).
13-Mar-02.
21. Concacaf Champions Cup.
W Connection 0 v 2 Kansas City Wizards
(USA).
16-Mar-02.
22. FRIENDLY GAME:
W Connection 2 v 1 Guyana National Team.
21-July-2002.
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Benner Walter, Kendall Davis.
23. 2002 Independence Bowl
Cup Final.
W Connection 4 v 2 Caladonia AIA.
22-Sept-2002.
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Francis Lastic, Akil Pierre, Titus Elva 2.
24. 2002 FA-Cup Final.
W Connection 5 v 1 Arima Fire.
1-Dec-2002.
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Arnold Dwarika, Silvio Spann, Jose Manoel, Ralston James, Titus Elva.
25. FRIENDLY GAME, 8-Dec-2002:
W Connection 8 v 2 Tobago Selected.
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Luciano Sato 2, Rolston James, Marc Bode, Earl Jean, Silvio
Spann, Titus Elva, Nicolson Thomas.
27. Concacaf Champions Cup.
W Connection 2 v 1 Harbour View FC (Jamaica).
13-Dec-2002.
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Earl Jean 73rd, Titus Elva 75th.
28. Concacaf Champions Cup.
W Connection 2 v 0 US Robert (Martinique).
15-Dec-2002.
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Earl Jean 66th, Titus Elva 84th.
29. Concacaf Champions Cup.
W Connection 2 v 3 Toluca (Mexico).
12-Mar-2003.
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Ronaldo Viana 18th, Kendell Davis 38th.
30. Concacaf Champions Cup.
W Connection 3 v 3 Toluca (Mexico).
02-Apr-2003.
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Earl Jean 46th, Silvio Spann 68th, George Issac.
31. Concacaf Champions Cup.
W Connection 3 v 0 FCS Nacional (Suriname).
05-Nov-2003.
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Kendall Davis 53rd, Titus Elva 78th, Gefferson Goulart 81st.
32. Concacaf Champions Cup.
W Connection 0 v 0 Portmore United (Jamaica).
26-Nov-2003.
33. Concacaf Champions Cup.
W Connection 1 v 0 Portmore United (Jamaica).
28-Nov-2003.
W Connection Goal Scorer:
Kendall Davis 24th.
34.
Concacaf Champions Cup.
W Connection 2 v 1 Jabloteh.
28-Dec-2003. (series tie).
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Gefferson Goulart 24th, Kerwyn Jemmott 51st.
AFTER PENALTIES:
W Connection 2 v 4 Jabloteh.
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Ronaldo Viana, Gefferson Goulart.
Under-16 International results from
the UK.
35. Southampton (England) 8 v
W Connection 0.
- 25-Aug-2004.
36. Wrexham (England) 0 v W
Connection 1 - (Matthew Bartholomew).
- 27-Aug-2004.
37. Dundee United (Scotland) 1 v W
Connection 1 (Matthew Bartholomew).
- 30-Aug-2004.
38. Glasgow Rangers (Scotland) 2 v W
Connection 2 (Matthew Bartholomew, Keron Smith.
- 02-Sept-2004.
18. FRIENDLY GAME:
18th-Mar-2005.
W Connection 0 vs 1 MetroStars (USA).
19. CONCACAF
Champion Cup:
11th-Dec-2006.
Hoppers FC (Antigua) 0 v W Connection 5.
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Gefferson Goulart 8th, 77th, Ronaldo Vianna 54th, 56th, Andre
Toussaint 27th.
20. CONCACAF
Champion Cup:
13th-Dec-2006.
Puerto Rico Islanders (Puerto Rico) 0 v W Connection 1.
W Connection Goal Scorer:
Andre Toussaint 5th.
21. Friendly:
13th-Jan-2007.
Panapolis FC (Brazil) 1 v W Connection 1.
W Connection Goal Scorer:
Andre Toussaint 84th.
22. CONCACAF
Champion Cup:
26th-Jan-2007.
W Connection 3 v 2 Harbour View (Jamaica).
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Andre Toussaint 44th, Earl Jean 45th, 70th.
23. CONCACAF
Champion Cup:
28th-Jan-2007.
W Connection 1 v 0 San Juan Jabloteh.
W Connection Goal Scorer:
Andrei Pacheco 11th.
24. CONCACAF
Champion Cup:
13th-Feb-2007.
W Connection 2 v 1 CD Guadalajara (MEX).
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Earl Jean 78th, Jose Luis Seabra 86th.
25. CONCACAF
Champion Cup:
28th-Feb-2007.
CD Guadalajara (MEX) 3 v 0 W Connection.
26. Friendly:
14th-Mar-2008.
Portuguesa de Desporto (Brazil) 1 v W Connection 1.
W Connection Goal Scorer:
Oscar Torijano (trialist)
55th.
27. Friendly:
15th-Mar-2008.
Clube Atletico Joseense 1 (Brazil) v W Connection 3.
W Connection Goal Scorers:
Victor Riberio (trialist) 10th, Shahdon Winchester 70th, Dwight Crichlow
80th.
|
W Connection takes FCB Cup.
By: Gregory Trujillo - T&T
Guardian Newspapers.
03-Oct-2004 - When it’s nice, do it twice.
Vibe CT 105 W Connection regained the First Citizens Bank Cup when
they defeated Defence Force 3-2 on Friday at Manny Ramjohn Stadium in
Marabella.
“Be decisive with your kicks and make sure they are struck firm,”
coach Reynold Carrington appealed to his players, who had experienced
a penalty shootout before and had something to draw on, having won the
only other final in the T&T Professional Football League earlier
in the season against Jabloteh.
Both finalists displayed quality football, with Earl Jean opening the
scoring for W Connection in the sixth minute and Defence Force
equalising through an own goal in the 39th.
“W” started the second session in the same manner as the first,
with an early strike by Silvio Spann from the penalty spot (47th) and
climaxed with a second penalty on the opposite end, taken by Kurt
Williams in the 62nd.
The atmosphere in the stands, produced by rhythm sections, overflowed
on to the field , as the players seemed energised by it all. The vocal
support by the fans helped to make the night one to remember with
football the winner all the way.
After the match people flowed out of the stadium satisfied that they
got their money’s worth.
“For the Pro League to be successful we need the public,” coach
Carrington of the winning team, said afterwards.
“Football without spectators don’t motivate the players. The
reason why the game was so good is that the players were motivated to
play because the public came out in large numbers to support the two
teams.”
W Connection’s utility player, Joseph, turned from villain to hero,
as he gave away both goals for Defence Force to get back into the
match and made up by scoring his crucial third penalty in the
shootout.
Level-headed WCFC goalkeeper Alejandro Figueroa, whose positioning has
been a key asset, must be given full credit as he made two saves to
deny Defence Force of repeating their performance of 2002 ( 2-0 win in
the final).
Alejandro saved the second kick from Christon Baptiste and the fifth
by Ronald St Louis while the third by Jerwyn Balthazar was placed
overbar.
Ordelle Armstrong kicked first for Defence Force and scored while
Anton Pierre was also successful with his kick.
Spann, Brazilian Jose Luiz Seabra and Joseph were all on target for
WCFC in that order. Nicholson “Ice” Thomas the only player to
miss.
The first 20 minutes of the match belonged to W Connection, who
created three good openings, scoring one from St Lucian Jean.
Jean, positioned on the first post, headed home a Jose Luiz Seabra
curling right side corner with his left foot.
Six minutes after the goal, Jean had to leave the field damaging his
quadriceps muscle (front thigh). He was replaced by Bevon Lewis,
formerly of Starworld Strikers.
Defence Force was lucky to equalise. Trying to defend a cross on the
ground from the left Joseph, who was just outside the six-yard box
away from the goal-line, spliced the ball with his right foot, the
error giving Alejandro no chance.
At the beginning of the second-half, a handled ball inside the area
gave W Connection a penalty and Spann made no mistake, shooting to the
left of ‘keeper Selwyn George.
Defence Force drew level a second time when Joseph fouled Armstrong in
the box and Williams converted a well-struck penalty.
W Connection missed two clear-cut opportunities to seal the game
through Kendall Davis and Bevon Lewis while Army missed one good
chance by Baptiste.
CEO of the Pro League Dexter Skeene paid tribute to the crowd and the
standard of football displayed by the players of both teams.
“In the long run, football was the winner,” said Skeene.
“Tribute must be paid to FCB and the fans for supporting the Pro
League.”
“The Pro League marketing committee is pleased that our approach to
marketing is reaping benefits as patrons came out in their numbers to
support the final.
“The committee continues to implement its marketing plan which is
focused on giving the sponsors and fans value for money, encouraging
them to keep returning.
“A conscious decision was taken to incorporate aspects of T&T
culture to enhance the package offered and improve the attractiveness
of the event.”
Teams:
Defence Force:
25.Selwyn George, 5.Kelshall Marshall (capt), 6. Michael Edwards,
13.Anton Joseph (24.Shelton Williams 53rd), 14.Anton Pierre, 8.Kurt
Williams (23.Claude Adams 83rd), 20.Ronald St Louis, 21.Kwesi Smith,
10.Christon Baptiste, 19.Devon Jorslyn (9.Odelle Armstrong 59th),
15.Jerwyn Belthazar.
Subs Not Used:
11.Kevon Carter.
Staff:
Coach: Kerry Jamerson, assistant coaches: Ross Russell, Dexter Lee,
Manager: Lieutenant Henry Charles.
W Connection:
1.Alejandro Figueroa, David Atiba Charles, 5.Ejijah Joseph, 6.Jose
Luis Seabra, 4.Kevon Clement, 13.Nicholas Thomas, 17.Silvio Spann,
10.Andre Toussaint, 11.Titus Elva (7.Luciano Vieira 61st), 9.Earl Jean
(capt - 24.Bevon Lewis 28th), 14.Kendall Davis (22.Jason Cudjoe 82nd).
Subs Not Used:
19.Aaron Black, 21.Jan Michael Williams, 30.Andre Pacheco, 36.Jerron
Johnson.
2004 FCB-Cup Results:
Final.
W Connection 2 (Earl Jean 6th, Silvio Spann pen-47th) v Defence Force
2 (Elijah Joseph (own goal-39th, Kurt Williams pen-83rd).
Connection won 3-2 on penalty-kicks.
Third Place Playoff:
Starworld Strikers 4 (Lindsie Sherwood 29th, 77th, Andre Charles 31st,
Errol Charles 54th), v North East Stars 1 (Jerren Nixon 15th).
FCB-Cup Prize Structure:
1. W Connection-$35,000.
2. Defence Force-$25,000.
3. Starworld Strikers-$20,000.
4. North East Stars-$16,000.
W Connection youths hold their
own on U.K tour.
By: Joel Villafana-
By: Joel Villafana - ttproleague.
15-Sept-2004 - W Connection under 16 team are back home from a hectic
2 week tour of the U.K. where the national under 16 club champions
learnt a few lessons and benefited tremendously from the experience as
they gave a good account of themselves.
This according to Connection’s Technical Director Stuart Charles
Fevrier—he told the Pro League Website, “it was a tough tour from
the word go and the boys had to adjust,” he said “once they
adjusted they performed creditably.”
However, in the first competitive game they played against
Southampton, the club of former W Connection midfielder Kenwyne
Jones—Connection was hammered 8-0, but the former national football
coach said the Southampton team was much bigger, stronger and much
more mature than his boys and hence Connection were totally outplayed.
Nevertheless Fevrier said when they came up against Wrexham it was a
much more even contest and the young Savonetta Boys registered their
1st win on foreign soil. Striker Matthew Bartholomew scored
Connection’s lone goal in a 1-0 victory.
As time went along the Connection Boys got in the grove and they
battled to a 1-1 draw with Dundee United youths in a game where
Connection scored first again through Matthew Bartholomew.
Their final assignment was against Glasgow Rangers and after taking a
2-0 lead with goals from Keron Smith and once again Matthew
Bartholomew, Connection allowed Rangers to equalize—the game ending
2-2. Fevrier said, at the end of it all he was satisfied with the
performance of the boys, saying, “they showed they can adapt to a
high level of football.”
He called the tour a success not only for W Connection but also for
Caribbean club football and said it speaks volumes for the youth
programme Connection has in place.
He added, “Matthew Bartholomew obviously stood out, but said there
were good performances from Keron Smith, Fellinito and Roni. The
Club’s Technical Director ended by saying “it was a tremendous
collective effort.”
RESULTS:
Southampton 8 v W Connection 0.
Wrexham 0 v W Connection 1 (Matthew Bartholomew).
Dundee United 1 v W Connection 1 (Matthew Bartholomew).
Rangers 2 v W Connection 2 (Matthew Bartholomew, Keron Smith).
W Connection U-16’s off to
tour England.
By: Joel Villafana - ttproleague.
26-Aug-2004 - The successful under-16 squad of W Connection are off on
a 2 week tour of the United Kingdom. The Sean Cooper coached team had
an outstanding season winning both the league and knockout titles and
this trip promises to be an experience of a lifetime for the young 20
man squad of which there are 16 local players.
The team in London last evening and will have to settle in quickly as
they take on the Southampton under-16 team on the 25th. The young
Savonnetta Boys will then have the privilege of watching the
Premiership clash between former W Connection player Kenwyne Jones’s
Southampton play Bolton Wanderers.
Captain Matthew Bartholomew and his team’s next assignment will be
against English 1st division side Wrexham under-16’s on the 27th.
The young talented bunch then depart for Scotland, where they will
view the game between Scottish Champions Celtics and Rangers on the
29th and on the 30th the Connection youths tackle their counterparts
from Dundee United and will round off their tour with a clash against
the Rangers youths on September 2nd.
They then depart London on September 3rd.
This is the 1st time a Connection youth squad will tour the U.K. and
the mind behind it is Connection’s Chief Cook and bottle washer
David John Williams.
John Williams said “this crop of young players possess extreme
talent and were dominant this season winning both the under-16 Pro
League and the knockout title.” The W Connection Owner admitted to
the Pro League Website, that he thought the boys needed a bigger
challenge and the opportunity to match their skills with world class
opposition and he added, “it’s all part of Connection’s
commitment to develop their young players and he hopes the young men
will attract the eyes of the international scouts.”
Mr. Williams said “he believes the likes of the leading under-16
goal scorer and skipper Matthew Bartholomew, left sided attacking
midfielder Kemuel Rivers and national under 17 midfielder Silas Spann
will all impress on the 2 week tour.”
Stuart Charles returns to W
Connection.
By Ian Prescott.
04-Jun-2004 - The two-time Trinidad and Tobago professional football
champions have also forged a relationship with Jamaican club Harbour
View and currently have four Jamaican players in their squad.
The Jamaicans-Robert Scarlette, a left side midfielder; 19-year-old
Lovell Palmer; Oneil Thompson, a defensive midfielder; and
midfielder/striker Jermaine Hue-arrived in Trinidad last week and all
had some playing time in Connection's 1-0 loss to Starworld Strikers
on Wednesday.
Yesterday, Connection owner David John-Williams confirmed that the
affable Fevrier has returned to his former Savonetta base, where he
forged a successful partnership with John-Williams five years ago,
which resulted in a league and FA Cup double, a year after the former
fete match team entered the pro competition. Charles has assumed
control over all of W Connection's teams as part of a technical staff
that also includes former players Reynold Carrington and Leonson
Lewis.
Carrington, captain of the team which finished runners-up to CL
Financial San Juan Jabloteh in last year's T&T Pro League, has
replaced Leroy Spann as coach of the senior squad.
"Stuart Charles helped to form W Connection and will always have
a place at this club," John-Williams told the Express.
As for the Jamaicans, the W Connection owner said they are part of an
exchange programme with Harbour View, whose season begins in November.
In the interim, the quartet have the opportunity to gain employment
and also give the young and re-building Connection team a boost. They
will compensate for Connection's loss of six senior players and junior
15 year old striker Aaron Downing, who have signed a professional
contracts with Scottish club Falkirk. Midfielder Silvio Spann is due
off on June 11 for pre-season training with Dinamo Zagreb of Croatia,
while defender Kenwyne Jones starts with England's Southampton on July
4.
Connection are also in the process of negotiating a contract extension
for Ronaldo Viana and Gefferson Goulart to return to FC Zeleznik.
Connection had loaned the Brazilians to the Yugoslavian club.
After finishing third to Red Star Belgrade and Partisan Belgrade in
their local league, Zeleznik have now qualified for European
competition and have sought an extension to the loan deal involving
the two Brazilians, who are now on vacation in Brazil. Goalie Kelvin
Jack and Arnold Dwarika are also out on loan to foreign clubs.
Downing is also due to leave next month to begin pre-season training
with First Division club Falkirk in Scotland. Downing, scorer of 35
goals in the 2003 T&T Pro League under-17 division, has graduated
to Connection's Under-20 team and has also been recently drafted into
the T&T under-20 team.
The return of Fevrier and the addition of the Jamaicans give
Connection's owner the confidence that his team can recapture the Pro
League title.
"It is very early days yet and we are just four points away from
the leaders. Even if Jabloteh should win their outstanding match
against Tobago, we still have 20 games to win the league. We have not
pressed the panic button. Even if we have a young team, I always see
us as a seasoned professional outfit and I feel confident that we have
the ability to win the league," said John-Williams.
H'View 'ballers off to Trinidad's W-Connection.
By: Jamaican Observer Reporter.
22-May-2004 - Harbour View, runners-up in the just-concluded Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL), will be sending four of their players on loan to top Trinidad and Tobago side, W-Connection.
Those expected to land in Port-of-Spain on Monday for a four-month spell are midfielders Jermaine Hue and Lovel Palmer, and defenders Robert Scarlett and Christopher Harvey.
The players will be back in time for the start of the new NPL season which begins in September.
Another NPL club, Portmore United, recently sent two of their top players - goalkeeper Shawn Sawyers and striker, Roen Nelson - on a season-long loan to another Trinidadian club, Joe Public.
W Connection brings Glasgow
Rangers coach.
T&T Guardian Reports.
15-May-2004 - Head of the Youth Development programme at Scotland’s
Glasgow Rangers Football Club will be in T&T from Monday as a
guest of top T&T Professional Football League club Vibe CT 105 W
Connection.
George Adams, who was instrumental in restructuring the Glasgow
Rangers youth programme, and more recently the setting-up of their
Youth Development Company, has indicated that he will be in T&T to
look at talent, as well as the structure of the Pro League, with
emphasis on the youth programme.
Adams will attend youth matches which fall under the umbrella of the
T&T Pro League and will be paying a courtesy call to the Pro
League officials. Having narrowly missed out on the signing of
Southampton-bound Kenwyne Jones — a WCFC player — Adams is keen
on scouting for good T&T soccer talent.
North East Stars humble W
Connection.
By Gregory Trujillo.
10-May-2004 - Goals by home-town boy Anthony Wolfe and
Guyanese Carey Harris set up the victory for North East Stars over W
Connection. Speedy Wolfe broke clear of the WCFC defence and beat the
goalkeeper Alejandro Figueroa and Harris was on spot to tap home a
sitter. Junior players Keston Pierre and Simeon Augustus had a big
hand in the second goal.
From a free-kick deep on the left flank Pierre found Augustus on the
other side of the goal. Augustus managed to head the ball goalward and
Harris was on the goal-line waiting to score the easiest of chances.
North East Stars coach James McClean was pleased with the performance
of his two junior players Pierre and Harris.
“The two played for their moms today and did fantastic,” said
McClean. Wolfe also said that his goal was a gift to his mom on “Mothers
Day”.
Comeback W Connection beat
Starworld in opener.
By Mervyn Stewart.
19-Apr-2004 - Andre Toussaint scored a double and Earl Jean and Elijah
Joseph scored single strikes for W Connection as they stopped
Starworld Strikers in a tough T&T Pro League opener at Ato Boldon
Stadium, yesterday.
Starworld's new acquisition Randolph Jerome scored the first goal of
the 2004 season when he beat an advancing goalkeeper Alejandro
Figueroa after a right-side lob in the 26th minute from Anton
Ramnarine. Nine minutes later it was 1-1 as a powerful 25-metre volley
from Joseph gave Marvin Phillips in goal no chance.
The San Fernando-based team was having the better of the exchanges,
and were unlucky to be reduced to ten men on the stroke of half time,
as Ramnarine was given marching orders by referee Ramesh Ramdhan for a
robust tackle on Toussaint.
At the interval, the score was 1-1.
Three minutes after the resumption, Starworld again took the lead, as
Sean Julien netted from a Jerome right-side cross. The Savonetta-based
outfit continued to pile the pressure on the ten-man outfit, and it
was no surprise when Jean levelled the score 2-2 with a powerful shot
from just outside the 18-metre box, in the 50th minute.
The game was still even as both teams looked for the decider, and in
the 67th minute, Atiba Charles almost put W Connection on top. But his
fierce header just skimmed the bar and went over.
There's an old saying, "pressure does bust pipe", and
Connection had the ten-man team under steady pressure. But only good
defence work by Sherwyn Julien, Errol Charles and Wesley Webb, plus
good goalkeeping by Phillips kept the scores level. However, two goals
in the final six minutes, from Toussaint, eventually gave the 2000 and
2001 double crown champions victory.
Arnold Dwarika set for Chinese stint.
By Ian Prescott.
04-Mar-2004 - National footballer Arnold Dwarika is expected to sign a
contract with a Chinese club as early as tomorrow.
The skilful rasta-haired Vibe CT 105 W. Connection midfielder left
Trinidad and Tobago on February 6 for a trial with Chinese club Beijing
Guoan.
Guoan, who campaign in the Chinese First Division, visited Trinidad and
Tobago in January when they were held 2-2 by a President's XI team at the
Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Dwarika is among several Trinidad and Tobago players who have had trials
in China recently. Returning just last week was North East Stars striker
Jerren Nixon, while national goalie Kelvin Jack also had a trial stint in
China.
Gary Glasgow, another T&T player, is currently on a one-year stint
with Chinese First Division team Guangzhou Ziangxue and scored four goals
in his first six matches with the club.
Yesterday, Vibe CT 105 W. Connection owner David John Williams informed
the Daily Express that Dwarika had a successful trial and was on the verge
of signing a one-year contract. The stint with the Chinese club, should it
go through, will be the second overseas assignment for Dwarika, who once
played for East Fife in the Scottish second division.
Dwarika is one of four Vibe CT 105 W. Connection players expected to take
up a professional contracts overseas this season. Already, Brazilians
Ronaldo Viana and Gefferson Da Silva Goulart have been picked up by
Yugoslav club F.C. Zeleznik for the rest of the season. The influential
Connection midfielders left here in January for a 14-day trial with F.C.
Zeleznik. During that time, they travelled to Turkey with the team which
was then on a winter break. At that stage, Zeleznik were fourth in the top
division, trailing leaders Crvena-Zvezda, Partisan Belgrade and
third-placed Sartid.
Both Brazilians, who have been with Connection for the last four years,
have reportedly excelled at the club and have started playing with the
first team since competition resumed on February 21. Their contracts see
them to the end of the season, with an option to sign them on a further
two years should F.C. Zeleznik qualify for next season's European
competition. Both Goulart and Viana were expected to play yesterday
against Red Star Belgrade.
The exodus of players from Connection has meant a restructuring of the
team who were runners up in all of the major competitions in T&T and
the Caribbean last season.
Owner John Williams said that they will be fielding a very young team,
including some of their Under-20's who were loaned out to other teams last
season.
W Connection’s reign in Caribbean ends...Jabloteh
wins CONCACAF title on penalty kicks.
T&T Guardian Reports.
30-Dec-2003 - W Connection’s reign as champion CONCACAF (Caribbean Zone)
club ended on Sunday — in the same way the club its lost hold on the FA
Trophy a week ago. Exactly seven days earlier, WCFC lost on penalties to
North-East Stars in the FA Trophy competition in similar fashion to CL
Financial San Juan Jabloteh (4-2) at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
After losing the first leg match 2-1 on December 17 at Manny Ramjohn
Stadium, WCFC rallied to lead Jabloteh by the same score at the end of
both regulation time and sudden-death extra-time.
When skipper Reynold Carrington hugged goalkeeper Alejandro Figueroa as
the goalkeeper walked off to face the spot kicks, a sense of discomfort
and nervousness was obvious in the W Connection camp.
Suffering psychologically from the episode of seven days ago when the team’s
penalty kickers made a mess of the situation, two WCFC players kicked poor
shots to opposing custodian Daurance Williams.
After Brazilian Ronaldo Viana sank the first kick, countryman Jose Luis
Seabra leisurely put a tame left-footer to the right of Williams, who had
all the time in the world to dive and keep the ball out.
Another Braziliam, Gefferson Goulart, then scored his penalty before
Kerwyn Jemmott blasted the fourth kick low and wide to give the Jabloteh
footballers their first regional club championship.
All four kickers for Jabloteh — Trent Noel, Angus Eve, Kerry Baptiste
and Cornell Glenn — approached their task with confidence and they all
scored with shots that gave ‘keeper Figueroa no chance.
Two power outages in the first-half extended the duration of the match to
four hours, much to the dismay of the crowd numbering 4,000 — one which
lasted 20 minutes, after only 11 minutes of play; and the other 10 minutes
after the restart, that took more than 40 minutes to rectify — plagued
the final.
While Jabloteh seemed to suffer most from the stoppages, WCFC seemed to
have been affected very little from it and scored four minutes when the
match restarted a second time through Goulart.
Connection, decimated by injury to the point where they were forced to
recall Under-20 coach Leonson Lewis to first team action, offered little
up front initially. Without injured Earl Jean, Kendall Davis, George Issac
and flu-hit Arnold Dwarika, Connection gave regular sub Titus Elva a
chance to start alongside Lewis.
Receiving a back-heeled pass in the 24th minute from St Lucian Titus Elva,
the Brazilian (Goulart) made no mistake with a half-volley that sent the
ball flying into the net near the far post, past an outstretched Williams.
That goal sparked some life into Jabloteh and the Easterners grabbed the
equaliser in the 41st minute, after two close shaves (28th and 38th
minutes) from headers by Cyd Gray and Keyeno Thomas.
Otis Seaton (Autis Whitley) was the architect. He outsprinted Rawle
Fletcher down the left flank and centred the ball into the heart of the
goal-mouth. Surrounded by two defenders, Figueroa partially stopped the
ball.
Glenn, standing close by, benefited most by sticking a leg out and
stabbing the ball across the line in the 41st minute.
After the resumption, Jemmott, who was brought on by coach Leroy Spann to
replace Lyndon Diaz, worked magic with his intelligent left-foot.
Six minutes into the half from an impossible angle, he booted a low,
powerful shot that beat Williams all ends up.
Two minutes after the goal, the upright denied Jabloteh the equaliser, as
an Eve free kick came off the wall and hit the post.
That same post was again in the way in the fourth minute of extra-time,
following a well-taken placement by Baptiste.
Connection might have won in sudden-death extra-time had Williams not come
up with two good saves. The big Jabloteh keeper was off his line to first
tip over a shot after Titus Elva broke through the left and from the
resulting corner, (taken by Silvio Spann), Williams somehow managed to
keep national youth team defender Kenwyne Jones' downward header from
rolling into his goal.
San Juan Jabloteh:
Daurance Williams; Keyeno Thomas, Ansil Elcock, Nigel Daniel, Cyd Gray;
Trent Noel, Angus Eve (capt), Josh Johnson (Travis Mulraine 61st), Kerry
Baptiste; Otis Seaton (Nigel Pierre 85th), Cornell Glenn.
W Connection:
Alejandro Figueroa; Reynold Carrington (capt), Lyndon Diaz (Kerwyn Jemmott
47th), Rawle Fletcher (Silvio Spann 79th), Kenwyne Jones; Elijah Joseph,
Jose Luis Seabra, Ronaldo Viana, Gefferson Goulart; Leonson Lewis (Jason
Marcano 61st), Titus Elva.
Veteran Eve stings W Connection.
By Gregory Trujillo.
19-Dec-2003 - VIBE CT 105 W Connection will have to come from behind in
order to retain the Caribbean Football Union club championship and qualify
for the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
When the “Savonetta Boys” meet CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh in the
return leg match on December 28, they will have to make up a one-goal
deficit, having gone under 1—2 to their arch-rivals on Wednesday night
at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella.
Before the game started, players from both teams took a minute to honour
the memory of slain striker Rolston James, who was murdered a year to the
date after representing Connection on December 15, 2002. Tobago-born James
had played with both clubs during his brief career.
Former national midfield standout Angus Eve netted both goals for Jabloteh
in the 20th and 41st minutes while Brazilian Gefferson Goulart scored for
W Connection in the 40th minute.
W Connection got the ball into the net a second time in the 69th minute
but their claim for a goal was disallowed by referee Jaggernauth
Goolcharan.
Coach of WCFC, Leroy Spann, members of the team’s his staff and players,
were furious with Goolcharan when he called a foul on striker Earl Jean
and gave the player a yellow card instead of pointing to the centre.
Jean, standing outside the box, jumped in anticipating a kick-out by
goalkeeper Daurance Williams and the ball struck him and went into an open
goal.
In the opinion of many, the goal was legitimate as Jean was not causing
any obstruction.
“I believe the goal was good, “ said Spann after the match.”
Some spectators, including a World Cup referee, were of the opinion that
it should have stood. The incident also left Connection a spent force and
Figueroa at the mercy of his opponents. Figueroa later had to produce an
acrobatic save to keep out Nigel Pierre's header, while Josh Johnson broke
through but never came near the goal with an errant shot.
Substitute Travais Mulraine was by far the unluckiest of the Jabloteh
attackers and twice missed with rasping shots from outside the penalty
area.
Jabloteh was quicker to the ball and more aggressive from the kick-off and
it was no surprise when it took the lead.
From a left side cross, W Connection’s central defender, Ronaldo Viana,
miskicked the ball and Eve made him pay the penalty by slotting it past
‘Colombian keeper Alejandro Figueroa.
W Connection played back into the game when Arnold Dwarika dribbled two
players and hit a cross into the path of Kendall Davis, who dummied for
Goulart to slam an outside- of-the-right-foot shot away from Williams.
Hardly before the cheers had died down, Jabloteh got back the lead.
A one-two build-up down the right flank brought a high ball from Eve move
in the air and completely beat Figueroa.
WCFC had two good chances of levelling the score — a header by Jean,
which sent the ball hitting a defender and a free-kick by Dwarika that
came off the wall and was tipped around the post beautifully by Williams.
Jemmott still had one final try for Connection in added-on time, but both
Nigel Daniel and Jabloteh were too good on the night.
The Jabloteh players applied themselves better tactically. Their team play
was also a bit more consistent than their opponents.’
Connection and their fans may have reason to feel that they had a geniune
goal disallowed and this changed the course of the game. But it was clear
that Connection made more mistakes and that was the main cause of the
defeat.
“We will now be concentrating on the FA Trophy and still have a week to
prepare for the return,” said coach Spann.
W Connection will play North-East Stars in the FA Trophy final on Sunday
at Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya, Tunapuna, from 3.30 pm.
So it will not be truly festive Christmas for players of T&T’s top
two football clubs. While the country is in the customary festive mood,
members of these two clubs will be hard at practice for the return match
of their FA Trophy final on December 28 at a venue to be announced.
“Our aim is to try and win both legs and therefore we would be training
in and around the Christmas,” said Englishman Ricky Hill, coach of
Jabloteh.
“For my players, this year’s Christmas will be slightly different from
what they have become used to, because we will be training throughout the
period,” he added.
W Connection:
Alejandro Figueroa, Lyndon Diaz, Elijah Joseph, Kenwyne Jones, Jose Luiz Seabra, Ronaldo Viana, Reynold Carrington, Gefferson Goulart, Arnold Dwarika (Kerwyn Jemmott 64th), Silvio Spann (Stokley Mason 58th), Kendall Davis (Earl Jean 46th).
Jabloteh:
Daurance Williams, Keyeno Thomas, Ansil Elcock, Cyd Gray, Nigel Daniel, Trent Noel, Kerry Baptiste, Angus Eve (Devon Mitchell 76th), Autis Whitley (Travis Mulraine 79th), Josh Johnson, Cornell Glenn (Nigel Pierre 61st).
W Connection in striking
position.
T&T Express Newspapers.
03-Dec-2003 - Vibe CT105 W Connection cut CL Financial San Juan
Jabloteh’s lead in the T&T Pro League to seven points after
scoring an emphatic 4-0 victory over Starworld Strikers at the Manny
Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella on Monday night.
With just nine matches left in their season, they put themselves in a
good position to win the competition.
Connection, currently second in the standings, still have two
outstanding matches against the leaders and could win the league
should they take full points from those encounters. The championship
may be decided on the very last day of the season in January when the
top two clash.
Connection’s emphatic victory over Strikers put them in striking
position after Jabloteh dropped two vital points in a 1-1 draw with
North East Stars at Manny Ramjohn Stadium last Sunday.
Speedy striker Kendall Davis gave Connection a flyer in just the
second minute of the match when he finished clinically after a one-two
combination with Brazilian Gefferson Da Silva Goulart.
The battle between the South teams then shifted drastically in
Connection’s favour when Goulart volleyed home a left-side cross
from fellow Brazilian Jose Luis Sebra in the 17th minute.
After going in 2-0 at the half, Connection increased their advantage
in the 53rd minute through Sebra, their vice-captain. A good pass from
midfielder Silvio Spann on the left flank was met by the gifted left
foot of the Brazilian defender, who directed the ball into the far
corner of the net.
Arnold Dwarika then produced a gem in the 88th minute when he picked
up the ball on the right flank and delivered a left foot curling shot
inside the far post of the Starworld Strikers goal.
Earlier on the night, Connection’s Under-20 footballers defeated the
Starworld youths 5-0 to remain just two points behind Jabloteh at the
top of the table. Goals were scored by Akil Pierre, Jason Marcano,
Anthony Thompson, Roderick Anthony and Keith Williams.
W Connection beat Portmore to advance.
29-Nov-2003 - Port of Spain, Trinidad, CMC - Trinidadian club W-Connection survived playing a man short and strong second half offence from Jamaica's Portmore United to win the second leg of their Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Champions Cup semi-final 1-0 at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium last night.
After their 0-0 draw in the first leg on Wednesday night, W-Connection snatched a 1-0 lead midway the first half and held on well in the second half after losing defender Atiba Charles to a red card in the 55th minute.
W-Connection, two-time T&T Professional Football League (PFL) champions, got their winning goal in the 24th minute after a quickly taken free kick by Brazilian Gefferson Goulart.
From the left side of the penalty area, while the Portmore defenders were expecting an airborne cross, Goulart slipped a pass through along the turf and Kendal Davis pounced to score a right-footer from six yards out.
W-Connection, PFL champions in 2001 and 2002, faced constant pressure after Charles was sent off, but regained their shape near the end to keep their advantage.
'The Jamaicans did well, putting us under real pressure while we were down to 10 men, but the team defended well,' W-Connection manager, David John Williams told CMC Sport.
With the 1-0 aggregate win, W-Connection are now through to the CFU final next month against the winner of the other semi-final between Trinidad and Tobago's San Juan Jabloteh and Jamaica's Arnett Gardens.
San Juan Jabloteh are taking a 3-1 lead to Kingston for Wednesday's return game after topping Arnett at the Hasely Crawford Stadium this week.
The CFU champions will earn a berth to the 2004 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
W Connection win's it 3-0.
By Patriot.
5-Nov-2003 - Goals from T&T national U-23 attacker Kendall Davis,
St Lucian striker Titus Elva and Brazilian midfielder Jefferson
Goulart were enough to secure all 3 points for W Connection of
Trinidad & Tobago as they sink Surinamese club FCS Nacional on
Wednesday afternoon at the Andres Kamperveen Stadium in Paramaribo,
however, it was a "rough" hard fought battle as W Connection
lost team captain Reynold Carrington who has a suspected torn knee
ligament after being at the wrong end of a hefty tackle, Connection
also lost Brazilian Ronaldo Viana during the match after another
strong challenge. Both players were due to see a specialist yesterday,
reports indicated that it was a VERY physical game!
Vice-captain Jose Luis Seabra said the game was played before a good
crowd but that the grass on the pitch at the venue was not very good.
The Brazilian also felt that the three Suriname officials in charge of
the match did not do enough to curb the hefty tackles of the home team
and that may have contributed to Carrington’s injury.
“He (Carrington) was going to clear the ball when the (SC National)
striker ran in with a hard tackle up to his knee. The referee didn’t
even blow for the foul and the striker tried to take the ball and
score... not fair play at all,” said Seabra.
Having successfully survived the first leg in Suriname, Seabra
believes that Connection are in an excellent position to win again
next Wednesday when the teams meet for the second-leg tie. Connection
will take on the Surimanese from 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Manny
Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.
In other CONCACAF Champion Cup matches, Jamaica’s Portmore United FC
earned a slim 1-0 victory over CS Barber of Netherlands Antilles in
Series 2 at the Ferdi Neita Park, while Jong Colombia of Netherlands
Antilles hosting on Arnett Gardens FC of Jamaica in Series 1 at the
Ergelo Hato Stadium sliped 5-1. The return-leg encounters will take
place on 12 November.
The three opening round winners will join T&T's CL Financial San
Juan Jabloteh in the semifinals two-game series set for 26 November
and 3 December 2003.
The two winners of the semifinals will battle for the CFU’s berth to
the 2004 Champions Cup at a date(s) to be determined.
The 2004 CONCACAF Champions Cup breakdown of teams feature two clubs
each from Mexico and USA, three from the UNCAF and one from the CFU.
W Connection youth trio for
English trials.
TnT Newday.
11-Sept-2003 - Ace national Under-17 striker Gorean “Mickey Rat”
Highley and two W Connection teammates striker Aaron Downing and
midfielder Kemuel Rivers, left here on Tuesday for England where they
will undergo an eight-day trial stint with English First Division team
Walsall.
Highley, who also plays for Arima in the British Gas Secondary Schools
Football League (SSFL), Downing, a student of Union Claxton Bay and
Rivers, who attends Waterloo High School, will spend seven days
attending training sessions with the Walsall youth teams and another
day showing off their wares with the Walsall senior squad.
Arrangements were made by FIFA registered agent David Baldwin in
collaboration with W Connection owner David John-Williams. Baldwin
revealed that the trio were officially invited to the English club
last Saturday by manager Colin Lee to be a part of Walsall’s youth
programme, which is set up in conjunction with English Premier League
giants Manchester United.
W Connection hold Jabloteh.
By Ian Prescott.
11-Aug-2003 - Leaders San Juan Jabloteh maintained pole position atop
the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League despite being held 1-1 by Vibe CT
105 W. Connection in a top-of-the-table clash at Hasely Crawford
Stadium, Port of Spain, yesterday.
Jabloteh, the defending champions, took the lead two minutes into the
second half through defender Nigel Daniel, but failed to hold the lead
as Connection finished strongly late in the second session, despite
being reduced to 10 men after the 83rd minute sending-off of defender
Kenwyne Jones.
Disregarding their precarious position, Connection clawed their way
back to level in the 86th through the fresh legs of St Lucian
substitute George Issac.
Yesterday's encounter rarely reached the breathtaking pace
characteristic of meetings between the teams, but instead was typified
by stern defence and stifling midfield play for much of the 90
minutes.
Jabloteh dominated the early exchanges without causing much terror for
their opponents. The defending champions tested Connection early with
Cornell Glenn getting goal-keeper Alejandro Figueroa's attention 12
minutes into the match with a long-ranged effort. Glenn had earlier
forced an acrobatic push from Connection's Colombian 'keeper and he
also directed a Josh Johnson cross just wide—the forward's finish
not matching his sweet connection with the ball.
The middle of the field was dominated by Jabloteh in the first 45
minutes.
Connection's only outlet was through Lyndon “Chubby” Andrews on
the left flank. “Chubby” found space on the inside of Jabloteh's
Cyd Gray for most of the half. On one occasion, Andrews eluded Gray
and unleached a long-ranged effort which flew just wide of the
Jabloteh first post.
Goal-keeper Kelvin Jack also had to be at his best to keep low shots
from under-20 marksman Jason Marcano and later Kerwyn “ Hardest”
Jemmott out of his citadel.
Jabloteh got the perfect start to the second half when Nigel Daniel
blasted them ahead in the 47th. But Connection could have been
levelled matters minutes later. Jack was scrambling like a crab across
the Jabloteh goalline and only just kept out a long stinging shot from
Silvio Spann.
Colombian Figueroa also found himself busy at the other end, pulling
off a last second deflection of Otis Seaton's deliberate push towards
the corner of the W. connection goal.
The pace had picked up...the football was starting to flow. Having
brought on Arnold Dwarika, Spann and Issac, Connection were getting a
greater share of the midfield play and both teams camee close to
scoring. Just when Connection were starting to look really dangerous,
they lost Kenwyn Jones who picked up twoo quick yellow cards--the
second resulting when he felled the fleet-footed Glenn, who was
accelerating towards the Jabloteh goal.
Jabloteh were guilty of letting Connection back into the game when
midfielder Travais Mulraine had his pass intercepted at the back. The
ball eventually found Connection's Brazilian Gefferson Da Silva
Goulart, who forwarded the sphere down the centre of the penalty area
to Issac. The St Lucian striker never hesitated and drilled the ball
past goalkeeper Kelvin Jack.
Still, Connection had to survive a final scare when good close control
let Michael Celestine in at their goal. The Jabloteh sub beat
Figueroa, but saw his shot rebound off the far edge of the crossbar.
W Connection prove to strong
for Tobago United.
21-Jul-2003 - W Connection closed the
gap on leaders CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh in the Trinidad and
Tobago Professional Football League with a 4-1 win yesterday over
cellar-placed Tobago United at Ato Boldon Stadium, Freeport.
The Leroy Spann-coached WCFC found itself trailing after 10 minutes
when Garth Woodley beat goalkeeper Alejandro Figueroa. Brazilian
Gefferson Goulart started the comeback for the “Savonetta Boys” in
the 22nd hitting home in a scrimmage.
League’s leading goalscorer, Kittian George Isaac netted his ninth
item in the 37th with a right footer from inside the 18-yard box.
National Under-23 striker, Kendall Davis benefitted from two excellent
build-ups to score easy goals in the 53rd and 67th to complete the
scoring.
W Connection see Stars.
TnT Express Reports.
23-Jun-2003 - North East Stars pulled off the biggest upset of the
2003 Pro League season thus far as they edged two-time domestic
champions Vibe CT 105 W Connection 2-1 at the Sangre Grande Recreation
Ground yesterday evening. The Guyanese pair of Charles Pollard and
Randolph Jerome proved decisive with a goal apiece—Jerome got the
winner from the penalty spot—while free-scoring St Kitts
international George Isaac got Connection’s lone item. It was
Isaac’s sixth league goal after just seven round of matches to keep
the talented Kittian on top the scoring charts.
W Connection and Joe Public in
two all tie.
Nigel Simon.
02-Jun-2003 - At the Ato Boldon
Stadium in Couva, W Connection had only itself to blame for its slip
up, twice blowing the lead to the youthful Eastern Lions who were
without key players Keyeno Thomas, Nigel Pierre and Derek King, all in
Africa on national duty.
W Connection, which was also without skipper Reynold Carrington,
Silvio Spann, Kerwyn Jemmott and second-string goalkeeper Jan-Michael
Williams, took the lead in the 43rd minute through ex-Joe Public
player Arnold Dwarika for a 1-0 lead at the break.
But two minutes into the second half, Andre Toussaint answered coach
Ron La Forest’s call to rediscover his scoring touch and levelled
the scores.
Kittitian midfielder George Isaac restored W Connection’s one goal
cushion in the 70th minute. However with five minutes left, Devon
Caseman earned the Eastern Lions a deserved share of the points, with
his first goal of the campaign.
W Connection battle back for
3:3 draw, but Toluca still advance.
CONCACAF NEWS.
02-Apr-2003 - W Connection valiantly fought back to claim a 3:3 tie
with Mexican power CD Toluca, but the Trinidad & Tobago club was
still eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions Cup 6:5 on aggregate.
Playing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd at Manny Ramjohn
Stadium in Marabella, W Connection looked an unfocused side in the
opening minutes and were fortunate not to find themselves behind by at
least two goals in the opening ten minutes.
It was no surprise then when Ariel Franco put the Mexicans ahead in
the 15th minute when a flat-footed Connection defence allowed him to
shoot home past goalkeeper Alejandro Figueroa from the left of the
penalty box.
But matters changed on the kickoff of the second half as Connection
leveled in the 46th minute, a neat finish by Saint Lucian
international striker Earl Jean from close range keeping alive the
dream of an incredible upset.
However, some more untidy work at the back caused Connection to fall
behind once again as a Jose Manuel Cruzalta shot firmly past Figueroa
for a 2:1 lead in the 61st minute, and then in the 66th minute the tie
was all but killed off when Franco notched his double with a deflected
shot that hit home.
But W Connection didn’t lie down and die, however, as Silvio Spann
converted a 68th minute penalty after substitute Kerwyn Jemmott was
hauled down in the area.
Another substitute, Titus Elva, missed a glorious opportunity to level
terms when his effort from point blank range trickled wide of the
right post, but soon after, substitute George Isaac scored the goal of
the match when he moved inside the box on the left and drilled a shot
into the roof of the net to tie the score at 3:3.
Yet W Connection could not grab the one more goal they needed which
would have levelled the series and sent the match into extra time.
In the first leg in Toluca, W Connection were just 20 minutes from a
famous victory with a 2:0 lead, but the current Mexican Primera
Division champion scored three late goals to carry a slim advantage
into Wednesday's return match.
Toluca stage late comeback to
record 3:2 victory.
CONCACAF NEWS.
12-Mar-2003 - Vicente Sanchez scored two goals to lead CD Toluca FC to
a 3:2 victory, ending the dreams of W Connection FC of posting a
famous victory in the teams' first-leg match in the CONCACAF Champions
Cup on Wednesday.
Sanchez hit for his goals as Toluca came back from a two-goal deficit
with three goals in the final 25 minutes at Estadio Nemesio Diaz in
Toluca, as the champions of the last short-season title in Mexico's
Primera Division received a major scare from the Trinidad & Tobago
club.
Toluca started few first-choice performers in the contest, and despite
holding the majority of possession, the visitors created the better
opportunities, mainly striking quickly on the break.
Rolando Viana gave W Connection a lead after just 18 minutes, beating
Toluca goalkeeper Mario Albarrán with a shot from the right side.
Kendall Davis then rounded Albarrán on the run to double the lead 20
minutes later for last year's T&T PFL runners-up, who are still
weeks away from beginning their 2003 season.
But the Toluca powerhouse took advantage of the lack of match fitness
over the final quarter of the match, Sanchez pegging back W Connection
with a 65th-minute strike after claiming a poor clearance.
Edgar Garcia then pulled the home side level with a goal on 77 minutes
with a shot from the left that beat WCFC 'keeper Alejandro Figueroa,
Sanchez completing the comeback six minutes later by sending a rebound
home with a right-footed blast.
W Connection cuts three
Brazilians.
TnT Guardian Reports.
6-Feb-2003 - VIBE CT 105 W Connection will be without the services of
three Brazilian players for the coming season.
Raymond McLean, manager of the “Savonneta Boys”, confirmed
yesterday that forwards Jose Maria Manoel, Luciano Sato and Daneanilo
DaSilva — who played for Connection last year, also, St Lucians
Alvin Xavier, Francis Lastic and Jonathan McVane— will not be
returning.
McLean explained that Connection has been forced to cut its foreign
roster because of the planned ruling whereby only four overseas
players will be allowed on each team a match.
Previously, Connection, the FA Trophy holders, had as much as seven
Brazilians and seven St Lucians on its squad.
The full compliment of foreign-based players on the Connection side
are due in T&T before the end of the week, to resume training for
the CONCACAF Champions Cup final round from March 12 to 26, Connection
will face CD Toluca FC the dominating winners of the first-half title
this season in Mexico.
Connection are the Caribbean Club champions, a title it also won in
2001.
W Connection striker fatally
shot.
By Lasana Liburd.
17-Dec-2002 - The Vibe CT105 W Connection Football Club was thrown
into a state of shock yesterday after the fatal shooting of striker
Rolston James at his apartment off Bridge Road, Aranjuez.
James, who represented Connection against Union Sportive du Robert on
Sunday night in the Caribbean Club Championship at the Manny Ramjohn
Stadium, Marabella, was shot in the chest and stomach just after
midday and died at the Mount Hope Medical Centre three hours later.
Outside his room, several Connection players sat and waited before
discovering that their teammate did not survive an emergency
operation.
On Sunday night, James had celebrated with them at the home of
Connection vice-captain Earl Jean after his club booked their safe
passage to the CONCACAF Club Championship.
Connection president David J Williams lamented the loss of a prolific
goalscorer and wonderful employee.
"We are in a state of shock right now to say the least,"
said Williams. "He was one of the livewires at the club
get-together last (Sunday) night. He was the lead singer in the
party."
James joined Connection in mid-season after a short stint in China but
quickly made his presence felt at the ambitious south-based club.
His five 2002 Trinidad and Tobago FA Trophy goals were the highest at
his club and joint-best in the competition as Connection won their
third FA title in four seasons.
He also struck four times in the league to end with nine goals this
year—in the process, outscoring more illustrious teammates like
Arnold Dwarika and Brazilian playmaker Gefferson Goulart.
Still, the 26-year-old James was barely at the peak of his career when
he passed away.
The lanky player first came to prominence at Signal Hill Senior
Comprehensive under former Trinidad and Tobago coach Bertille St Clair
and went on to represent Elizabeth's College and Stokelyvale before
heading to Trinidad.
At Doc's Khelwalaas, he plundered goals regularly with Tobagonian
strike partner Ashley MacMillan before he moved to CL Financial San
Juan Jabloteh.
In 2001, he was the joint-second highest scorer in the shortened
Professional Football League (PFL) season with 13 goals and he was
rewarded with three international caps by then national coach, Ian
Porterfield.
St Clair, who has been credited with unearthing English Premier League
star Dwight Yorke, believed that James was a very talented player who
also had the potential to earn his wages in a more glamorous league.
St Clair had shortlisted James during his term as national coach
although the player never wore the national shirt for him.
He also revealed that James had recently come very close to securing a
contract in England after a British coach begged Yorke to speak to him
on his behalf.
St Clair was amazed to hear of his untimely passing.
"He was such a quiet guy," said St Clair. "I had called
him twice to go to the national training and... I thought he had the
potential to make it big."
James was set to play at CONCACAF level for the first time next
February after helping Connection through a Caribbean Club
Championship group that comprised Jamaica's Harbour View and
Martinique's Union Sportive du Robert.
He was already dressed for his club's 2 p.m. annual photo shoot
yesterday when he was gunned down.
The photo shoot was subsequently cancelled by Williams.
Their short-term ambitions, though, would sorely miss the powerful six
foot three figure of James.
James was born to a large family in Plymouth, Tobago, and was the
eldest son of five sisters and four brothers. He was not married.
Connection FC eases to 2:0
victory against US Robert to advance.
CONCACAF.
16-Dec-2002 - Second-half goals from both halves of their Saint Lucian
strike partnership gave W Connection FC a 2:0 victory against 10-man
US Robert and secured their place in the first round of the CONCACAF
Champions Cup by winning their Caribbean Zone qualifying group.
The Trinidad & Tobago league runner-up and FA cup winner needed
just a draw to advance to the round-of-16 in the Confederation club
championship, but goals from Earl Jean and Titus Elva sent them
through to the first stage proper for the second year running.
W Connection had the scoreline they needed at the halftime break
against the Martinique side on Sunday at their home ground of Manny
Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella, Trinidad, but just before the hour US
Robert were left with 10 men after Phillipe Buval was sent off.
Both Saint Lucian internationals had scored second-half goals in W
Connection's 2:1 victory against Jamaica's Harbour View FC on Friday,
and took advantage of the man-up situation to continue their heroics.
Jean opened W Connection's account on 66 minutes, then Elva, a
halftime substitute, finished off the scoring six minutes from time.
As winner of Caribbean Zone Group B, W Connection FC joins Jamaican
outfit Arnett Gardens FC as the zonal representatives in the
round-of-16, which will begin early next year. The draw matching the
16 teams - including the six qualifiers from the Central Zone, and
four each from Mexico and the USA - will be held soon.
WCFC: Alejandro Figueroa - Charles Pollard, Elijah Joseph, Jose
Luiz Seabra, Ronaldo Viana, Reynold Carrington, Earl Jean, Gefferson
Goulart, Silvio Spann (46: David Atiba Charles), Jose Maria Manoel
(75: Arnold Dwarika), Rolston James (46: Titus Elva).
USR: Gilbert Coco - Stanley Anglio, Jean Limer, Rodrigue Crusol
(75: Tony Lagier), Willy Muday (88: Charles Reyal), Jacques Juneau,
Ruddy Coranson, Marcel Gibon, Phillipe Buval, Marc Lagin (75: Jose
Brulu), Dominique Paola.
W Connection get Cup win over
Jamaica club.
Written By: Shaun Fuentes.
14-Dec-2002 - Vibe CT 105 W Connection made a strong claim for honours
in Group B of the Caribbean Club Championship when they scored a 2-1
defeat of Jamaica's Harbour View on Friday night at the Manny Ramjohn
Stadium, Marabella.
Connection will now need just a draw in Sunday's final match against
Martinique’s Union Sportive Du Roberts to top the group. The
Martiniquans were trounced 4-1 by Harbour View in the opening match on
Wednesday at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
In the latest contest, goals by St Lucian strikers Earl Jean in the
73rd and Titus Elva in the 75th minute sealed the win for Connection
while Dino Williams pulled back a late item for the Jamaicans.
The game was a well contested one but Connection had only themselves
to blame for not converting more of their chances in the second half.
The introduction of Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Arnold Dwarika
added some spark to Connection's attack but neither team pulled away
from each other.
Harbour also had Donald Stewart sent off in the closing quarter of the
game for a second bookable offence.
The opening goal came when Jean collected a long pass atop the penalty
box and beat one defender before maintaining his composure to lob the
advancing goalkeeper Leon Gordon.
Soon after, Ronaldo Viana supplied the right side cross for Elva to
head home on the far post to the delight of the Connection faithful on
hand.
Dwarika missed a couple sitters to seal the match before Stewart
slammed home from close range following a right side cross. But in the
end, Connection came away with the deserved three points to have one
foot in next year's final CONCACAF Club Championship.
Sunday's game will be played at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.
W Connection beats Tobago
twice.
By Anesia Brebnor, Scarborough,
Tobago.
10-Dec-2002 - Tobago was unfortunate to suffer defeat twice at the
feet of pro team Vibe CT 105 W Connection in the double header warm-up
matches, on Sunday at the Dwight Yorke Stadium.
In preparing for the upcoming Caribbean Cup Championship, Connection
defeated a Tobago selected professional team 8-2 in the feature match.
Tobago’s Hayden Fitzwilliam excited the crowd when he scored in the
second minute of the game to put the home team ahead 1-0.
However, the lead lasted only six minutes as Connection Rolston James
equalised in the eighth minute.
The Trinidadians continued their onslaught as Marc Bode, vice-captain
Earl Jean and Silvio Spann added three in the 18th, 25th and 34th
minutes respectively, to lead 4-1 at half time.
The second half saw some missed opportunities for both teams, yet more
on the part of Connection which did not score until the 70th minute
mark through Luciano Sato, who added the fifth goal. He doubled his
score seven minutes later.
Tobago was awarded a penalty in the 72nd and Joel Alleyne stepped up
and knocked in his team’s second.
Titus Elva and Nicolson Thomas contributed two goals in the 75th and
79th to seal the one-sided victory.
The selected Tobago’s Under-23 side, also went down 4-0 by
Connection’s young team.
The Trinidad side found it difficult to launch any attacks on the
Tobago team, as the host countered with several.
However, the teams went through the first half goalless.
However Connection’s captain Kendal Davis broke the goalless
deadlock in the 75th minute to turn around the game. Then it was Jason
Marcano and Kelvin Modeste, contributing in the 77th and 81st minutes,
to keep the score out of reach for the Tobagonians.
Davis then added another in the 88th to wrap up the game for
Connection.
Arima Fire humbled.
By Lasana Liburd.
2-Dec-2002 - It was the easiest $50,000 that David J Williams ever
made and the Vibe CT 105 W Connection club president allowed himself a
jig on to the Centre of Excellence field at the final whistle.
For the majority of the Connection faithful, the celebrations began
much earlier as the “Savonetta Boys” ran out comfortable 5-1
winners over Arima Fire in yesterday’s Trinidad and Tobago Football
Federation (T&TFF) FA Trophy competition.
It was an unkind end for Fire who had progressed to the final, motored
along by a potent mixture of hard running and tactical discipline.
Team manager Clyde Ramsaroop was also encouraged by a decent record
against Connection so far this season as the teams had split their
meetings two wins apiece.
But the Firemen froze on the big occasion and Connection did not need
to be asked twice.
For extended periods, Fire captain and custodian Peter Fortune looked
like a ripe mango during the school vacation, besieged by eager school
boys.
Three minutes from time, Fortune was beaten by the goal of the match
as Silvio Spann caught him off his goalline and responded with a
superb lob from just inside the centre circle.
It is a wonder that Fortune did not vacate his area earlier in marked
protest at the sheer volume of his workload.
The view was not much better ahead of the goalie with five Firemen—him
included—collecting cautions while substitute Darryl Toussaint was
ejected for violent conduct.
It was poor fare really for their supporters who stood out for size
and sound in a crowd of near 2,000 spectators.
Their rhythm section in full flow, Fire started well but were soon on
the backfoot as the Connection three pronged attack pushed forward
ably supported by intelligent flank midfielders.
Arnold Dwarika, who was an FA winner last season with Joe Public, was
the first to benefit, executing a neat sidefooted volley from a deep
right side Ronaldo Viana cross in the 20th minute.
Jose Maria Manoel bundled home the second nine minutes later, after a
similarly deep diagonal cross—this time from left flanker Jose
Seabra—found him criminally unmarked at the far post.
The scent of blood was in the air and the dejected looks on the red
shirted Firemen left no doubt about the identity of the prey.
Fire needed an immediate response after the break and lively
midfielder Dillon Walker was sent on in the 46th minute.
He was barely on for a full minute before the situation became more
desperate.
Again, Fire’s inability to hold on to the ball cost them dearly and
Ralston James got on the scorecard following good approach work from
Brazilian playmaker Gefferson Goulart and his compatriot, Seabra.
Even the Fire supporters, by then, had been mesmerised.
“Geezan, yuh ent see that ball,” said one fan respectfully at
Goulart’s outside of foot pass.
Still, Fire managed a response in the 60th minute when Anthony Haynes
sidefooted past opposing goalkeeper Alejandro Figueroa from a Handell
Manswell corner.
But Fire’s sole accomplishment on the day was quickly sullied by the
lack of composure that blotted by their first Pro League final
appearance.
Figueroa blocked an opposing player from gathering the ball straight
away from the back of his net—not an unheard of practice—and the
Firemen went beserk.
At the end of a melee that featured all 22 players, three officials
and several swung fists, a disgraced Toussaint was on his way back to
the tunnel after just 11 minutes on the field.
Neither team was quite the same thereafter and Connection coach Stuart
Charles wisely took the precaution of substituting Dwarika who will
play a key role in their CONCACAF Champions Cup next week.
There was still time for two late classy goals though with “super
sub” Titus Elva rounding off the scoring in stoppage time by
gracefully rounding Haynes then Fortune before tapping home.
But Spann enjoyed the most memorable moment with his delightful long
range effort that caught out Fortune and showed up the lack of
goalkeeping ability by defender Dave Charles who went after the ball
with both hands.
It was Connection who had seized the opportunity though, and Spann
celebrated with an impromptu dance.
Williams followed suit as Connection waltzed away with the last major
title of the 2002 football season.
W Connection:
Alejandro Figueora, Charles Pollard (Francis Lastic 52nd), Jose Luiz
Seabra, Ronald Viana, Reynold Carrington (capt), Silvio Spann,
Gefferson Goulart, Jose Maria Manoel (Titus Elva 49th), Arnold Dwarika
(Jonathan McVane 70th), David Atiba Charles, Rolston James.
Arima Fire:
Peter Fortune (capt), Dave Charles, Romauld Aguillera (Dillon Walker
46th), Handel Manswell, Uz Taylor, Ashford Legerton, Dale Simon,
Elliot James, Daryll James (Ronald Clarke 58th), Anthony Harris,
Dwayne Ellis (Darryl Toussaint 50th).
Jabloteh’s joy - Connection
slip up.
By Lasana Liburd.
4-Nov-2002 - It took some 28 years but, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium
yesterday evening, CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh finally won the
right to declare themselves the best football club in Trinidad and
Tobago.
Only a draw was required from the final 2002 Pro League fixture to
assure them of their first league title and Jabloteh managed just that
as they held defending champions Vibe CT 105 W Connection 1-1 at their
Port of Spain home ground.
And at the final whistle, long suffering Jabloteh fans shouted and
danced in delight at their triumph.
In the midst of the spontaneous celebrations was English coach Terry
Fenwick, for once unable to maintain order from even his own troops.
After being bodily tossed in the air by his exuberant players as well
as hugged and slapped on the back by well wishers—including some of
his colleagues who flew in from England—Fenwick regained the poise
that proved to be Connection’s undoing.
“Our performance wasn’t as good as usual,” said Fenwick, after
the match. “The guys were a bit nervous. But they showed a lot of
character and dug in deep and I’m delighted with the result.”
Throughout his discourse, Fenwick made generous use of words such as
“resilient”, “strength” and “determination”.
For much of the season, they had been the hallmark of the Jabloteh
team and the qualities were still there in abundance when they were
most needed against the defending champions.
“Connection are a good team,” said Fenwick. “And we managed to
restrict them to just one chance which they scored from.”
That was an exaggeration.
Brazilian midfielder Jose Seabra and young striker Kendall Davis both
muffed excellent chances to score for Connection while substitute Marc
Borde saw his intended crossball deflected onto the Jabloteh crossbar
by Brent Sancho.
But the opportunities were few and far between for coach Stuart
Charles-Fevrier's outfit.
Charles had promised to stay true to his own philosophy of ball
possession in yesterday's decisive match but it was the hard running,
aggressive Jabloteh who imposed themselves from the start.
In the 12th minute, Connection stopper David Atiba Charles flopped
lazily to the ground as he and Jabloteh striker Kerry Noray jostled
for position to meet a right side Josh Johnson delivery.
Referee Noel Bynoe ruled in favour of the defender but it was an early
indication of Connection’s unwillingness to deal with the
“in-your-face approach” of their opponents.
And, 14 minutes before the interval, Connection cracked under the
pressure.
Jabloteh left winger Cornell Glenn was the antagonist on this
occasion, as he outfoxed opposing flanker Ronaldo Viana before beating
Elijah Joseph who instinctively stuck out a boot for the attacker to
fall over.
Like Charles, Joseph had passed the buck leaving a crucial decision in
the hands of the match official and Otis Seaton made no mistake from
the resulting penalty.
Connection now needed two unanswered goals for their third successive
league title and from the balance of play, it never looked like an
achievable target.
At the interval, Charles introduced free scoring substitute Titus Elva
while Elijah Joseph was pushed into the midfield to restore their more
traditional 3-4-3 system.
But it provided little comfort for the “Savonetta Boys”.
Fenwick himself did them no favours by promptly sacrificing the
bustling Noray with veteran defender Ansil Elcock as Jabloteh switched
to a 5-4-1 formation.
It was an open invitation for the Connection squad to try their luck
against the league's best defence and the ex-English international
defender would look back with joy at the gamble that helped him to his
first trophy as a football coach.
Still, there were some nervous moments.
A low, raking Viana cross was smacked against the post by Seabra from
just six yards out in the 65th minute while Jabloteh captain Kelvin
Jack was again saved by his crossbar in the 76th minute when Borde's
cross took a wicked deflection.
There were only two minutes remaining in regulation time when
Connection finally drew level and again, it was not with their usual
finesse.
The defending champions had found midfield space in short supply, with
Jabloteh midfielder Trent Noel a picture of defiance. They were now
leaning heavily on long, hopeful passes when Elva found space behind
the opposing defence to stab home his ninth league goal.
Jabloteh then fell a man behind in stoppage time after Travis Mulraine
was expelled for his second yellow card as a result of a provocative
fling of his arm in Seabra's direction.
But Connection were fresh out of miracles.
“The champagne is waiting in the dressing room,” said Fenwick, as
he explained his post-match plans.
The wait for the Pro League title though, was over.
Jabloteh:
Kelvin Jack (capt); Brent Sancho, Ian Gray, Nigel Daniel, Cyd Gray
(Ronald Primus 63rd); Travis Mulraine, Otis Seaton, Trent Noel, Josh
Johnson; Cornell Glenn (Gary Glasgow 78th), Kerry Noray (Ansil Elcock
49th).
W Connection:
Alejandro Figueroa; Reynold Carrington (capt), David Atiba Charles
(Marc Borde 72nd), Elijah Joseph, Francis Lastic; Jose Luis Seabra,
Ronaldo Viana, Lyndon Andrews, Kendall Davis (Gefferson Goulart 57th);
Jose Maria Manoel (Titus Elva 46th), Arnold Dwarika.
W Connection captures
Independence Bowl.
By Gregory Trujillo.
23rd-Sept-2002 - VIBE CT 105 W Connection grabbed its first trophy for
the season by defeating Caledonia AIA 4-2 last night in the
Independence Bowl final of the Trinidad and Tobago Professional
Football League at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.
Playing in front of a vocal crowd numbering 2,500, Connection settled
down quickly into a passing game, with “the Stallions” struggling
with a long-ball system in the absence of midfielder Conrad Smith,
suspended following their two-leg semi-final against Joe Public.
National player Arnold Dwarika, who was appearing in his fourth game
for the defending champion, after being “fired” by Joe Public,
engineered the moves for the first two goals scored by St Lucian,
Francis Lastic and youth player Akil Pierre.
And, after he was substituted in the 72nd minute his replacement, St
Lucian Titus Elva took over with a double that dashed the hopes of the
Morvant-based unit.
Connection took the lead in the 19th minute when sweeper-back Lastic
headed past goalkeeper Anthony Marshall.
The goal resulted from a left side corner by Brazilian Jose Luis
Seabra that found Dwarika, who flicked for Lastic on the last post.
The score stayed 1-0 until the break. But two minutes after the
players returned for the second session, Caledonia equalised through
Gary John.
John, who was once on trial with the “Savonetta Boys”, netted in a
scrimmage after defence man Renato Pereira lost the ball on the right
flank.
WCFC regained the lead nine minutes later by booting a right footer
past Marshall.
Once again, Dwarika and Lastic had a part to play in the goal. A dummy
by Dwarika worked to perfection and he slipped the ball to Lastic, who
in turn found Pierre.
Elva made his presence felt two minutes after being on the field.
After receiving a pass from Seabra, he drove a right-footer out of the
reaches of Marshall.
Then in the 88th minute Elva automatically sealed victory for the
Stuart Charles-Fevrier-coached Connection by scoring from almost the
same position from an Elijah Joseph pass.
Kareem Joseph scored a consolation goal for Caledonia a minute later
when Sean Jack ran down the right flank and squared for him to head
past goalkeeper Alejandro Figueroa.
WCFC also contested the First Citizens Bank Cup final earlier in the
season and lost 2-0 to Defence Force."
W CONNECTION TEAM:
Alejandro Figueroa; Renato Pereira, Jose Luiz Seabra, Francis Lastic,
Kern Cupid; Reynold Carrington (capt - Silvio Spann 63rd), Elijah
Joseph, Ronaldo Viana, Gefferson Goulart; Arnold Dwarika (Titus Elva
73rd), Akil Pierre.
CALADONIA AIA TEAM:
Anthony Marshall; Lyndon Diaz, Randy Ramcharan, Roger Henry (captain),
Kareem Joseph; Seon Jack, Mark Small, Ronald St Louis, Sheldon Mark
(Odelle Armstrong 67th); Valencius Joseph (Benner Walter 79th), Gary
John (Ellis Dyette 67th).
W Connection whips Guyana 2-1.
By Reshma Ragoonath.
25-July-2002 - Reigning national champions VIBE CT 105 W Connection
whipped a Guyanese team 2-1 in a friendly match at the Manny Ramjohn
stadium, Marabella, last Sunday.
Connection, made up of reserve players proved a cut above the
opposition and Halter Benner easily netted the first goal in the
fourth minute to the surprise of goalkeeper Marlon Hendricks, for a
1-0 lead.
The visitors quickly went into the search of the equaliser and
produced a good scoring chance when Neville Stanton’s18th minute
thunderous right footer rocked off the upright.
The second half was physical with the referee having to caution
several players and five yellow cards were shown.
In the 74th minute Delon Glen was able to level the scores for the
visitors. He netted a right footer from the left side of the six-yard
box, that whizzed past the Connection defense and into the back of the
net.
Two minutes later, however, substitute Kendall Davis pushed the host
back in front when he broke through their defence and scored.
In the 80th minute, Johnson Mc Vane was shown a second yellow card
which resulted in his expulsion from the match.
He followed team-mate Silvo Spann, who was “red carded” earlier.
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