Caps stun Tigers 5-4 in Ormond Gabriel Trophy

Holder kept the travelling support on their feet at he weaved his way through the St Anthony’s defence to hand Caps the inaugural trophy. Simon Joseph also proved deadly for the defending Big-Five champion’s potent attack with a double. Both teams exchanged leads, but in the end Carapichaima won the match with some breathing space as the apparent second-string Tigers’ fourth and final goal was scored a minute before the end of regulation time.

Five of the nine goals came in the first half, which ended 3-2 in favour of St Anthony’s. Jabbarie Caresquero opened for the Tigers with a well struck shot from the edge of the penalty box in the 18th minute.

It was cancelled out by Holder’s first goal in the 33rd. Adriel Kerr then got the second for St Anthony’s in the 42nd, but again Caps had a reply through Joseph, two minutes later. St Anthony’s, however, made the most of the remaining seconds of the period as Shem Clauzel, one of the top remaining players from last season, put the team 3-2 up.

The half-time whistle followed immediately after. It was all Caps at the start of the second half. Holder, who was magnificent in the first half, continued his thrust for goals in the second and almost immediately doubled up in the 49th, moments before he scored a classic hat-trick by the 51st minute.

Caps then enjoyed a two-goal advantage three minutes later when Joseph scored his double. The match was an even battle from then on as St Anthony’s maintained a sturdy defence in an attempt to slowly crawl its way back into the match. Caps’ defensive line was also much better organised in the second half.

Its only real lapse was in allowing St Anthony’s a final attempt at goal, which it scored in the 89th minute courtesy of Borde. At the final whistle, the Caps players picked up their first piece of silverware for the season, which was a fitting start for Carapichaima coach Leon Carpette.

Carpette said his team was the better one, but acknowledged it not up against St Anthony’s best team. “They (St Anthony’s) started well. Hey, they were playing two touch football and were doing it well.

They played the air ball when they needed to. They will be a threat this season. I think, considering that was not their best team. They didn’t play bad. They had a B team. We played some bad blunders in the defence, some terrible blunders.”

Carpette said several of his remaining players retained their fitness due to their involvement with minor club football in the off season and should be at best for the upcoming months.

The head coach is fully aware of the challenge this year but is prepared for the challenge. “We want to win out the Central league again, as we have been doing. I think Chaguanas gave us a good run last season,” Carpette said.

“I would like us to be in the InterCol final and the Big Five, if it’s the players themselves that the ambition to come out and train. I know they have their books to see about, but the extra training will see them through.

He continued, “I wish I had 23-24 quality players. If I miss two good quality players, then I can’t replace them with the same quality.” Captain of his team last, Kern Alexis is among those who are no longer in the team. In his place is Larry Browne, a last stopper.

Carpette also issued some advice to the SSFL which recently announced a separate league, which will comprise 14 of the nations footballing schools. “I hope that If its not working they should resort back to the original idea.

Its a good idea,” he said. He said the plan will do well to keep competition as stong as possible among the nation’s top young footballers. “When you talk about players, Under 19, Under 18, Under 16, it’s a good idea to help develop the national teams, Carpette said.

Ormond Result

Carapichaima East Secondary 5 (Shaquille Holder 33rd, 49th, 51st, Simon Joseph 44th, 54th) v St Anthony’s College 4 (Jabbarie Caresquero 18th, Adriel Kerr 42nd, Shem Clauzel 45th, Raheem Borde 89th.