Gremio FC staged a second half comeback to grab all three points against Fishing Pond Revival on Thursday to continue their ascent in the Caribbean Welders Fishing Pond League standings.
It was not a vintage performance from last year’s losing finalists but they celebrated after the game knowing the result is what counts most. Forward Kendell Samuel led the way with a brace but was profligate in front goal and could have easily finished with at least five goals had he taken some of his chances.
It was the hosts who struck first though, Kadeem George banging in a rebound that fell to him on top the box from an early corner kick. Gremio were creating chances sporadically but failed to test the Fishing Pond goalie.
Their forward Kendon Sutton should have done better when the ball fell to him at the far post from a right-sided corner but he could not keep his volley down.
Both teams were struggling to keep possession of the ball on the bumpy surface as they half ended 1-0.
Fishing Pond switched strategy in the second half, utilising long balls to their lanky forward Samuel.
The tactic seemed to be working with his height and strength bothering the Fishing Pond defenders.
A mistake at the back saw Samuel gifted the ball just inside the Fishing Pond half with no defender in sight. Samuel raced towards goal but lingered when he should have taken a shot and somehow allowed a defender to make a lastditch block. A minute later, Samuel had another golden opportunity to score following a poor goal-kick but he skewed his left-footed shot wide following a good run down the right flank from Aleandro Jones.
Gremio were knocking on the door and won a dangerous freekick on the left. Samuel was always a threat from the dead-ball with his height but surprisingly it was the diminutive Jones who got on the end of the free-kick but his header flashed just past the right post.
Jones and Samuel finally combined for the equaliser, the former receiving a through pass and darted towards goal before squaring to an unmarked Samuel at the last post to tap in unchallenged.
The Jones/Samuel pair was proving unstoppable, the latter sent through on goal after a wonder flick-on by Jones from a long throw but his effort looked more like a rugby punt than a shot on goal.
Gremio had a setback though as their goalie Stephon Alvarez sustained an injury and had to be replaced. Defender Nicholas Carrington would assume duties between the uprights and played a crucial role in his team finding the winner.
A Fishing Pond Revival attack petered out with a tame shot accepted by Carrington who immediately kicked it long to Samuel. The forward looked to be well offside but the linesman kept his flag down and Samuel trapped the ball, rounded the advancing keeper before slotting into the empty net. It was a goal to appease his teammates, make up for his numerous missed chances and also seal the three points.
It was the second straight win for Gremio (2-0 vs Manzan United) after they had started the league with three consecutive draws.
Fishing Pond Revival however have started with two defeats. They opened their campaign with a 5-0 drubbing by G Madrid on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, 2013 champs Dream Team took care of business against Sunrisers FC 3-0.
Also recently. Keryl “Gino” Garcia and Stephan Kerr were on target in a 2-0 win for Dream Team over Fishing Pond All-Stars.
Action shifts to the La Tosca Recreation Ground this weekend for six matches. It is the first time the league will be spread to other grounds in the Sangre Grande region.
Saturday fixtures: North Oropouche vs Dragons FC (4.30pm); Take That and Cool It vs Fishing Pond All Stars (6.30 pm); Gremio vss Blu Magic (8.15pm).
Sunday’s fixtures: Manzanilla United vs Quash Trace (4.30pm); Dream Team vs Fishing Pond Revival (6.30pm); Sunrisers vs G Madrid (8.30pm).