St Augustine Senior Secondary moved one step closer to their goal of a National Secondary Schools Football League sweep when they easily brushed aside Presentation College of Chaguanas 4-0 at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar, Arima yesterday.
The new National "Big Five" champs did not have a
very tough time disposing of their Central Zone counterparts, but for
all their domination of the match and comfortable win, did not look as
impressive as when they clobbered El Dorado Senior 6-2 last week in the
Intercol East Zone semi-final.
But the "Green Machine" did treat their fans to some outstanding goals along with several near misses, most of which occured in the second period.
A drab start to the first half saw much come St Augustine's way in terms of chances, but they did not look like scoring early on, although National Under-20 striker Shane Calderon's shot just wide of the mark.
Presentation also had their chances early, but found penetrating their opponents' defence hard work. They showed some good touches in midfield, but time and again could not hold onto the ball long enough to make it count.
Calderon brought some life to the mostly silent supporters in a very modest crowd in the 36th minute, burying the ball with his first touch past Anthony County in the "Pres" goal, after an initial shot from Aaron Peters to give St Augustine the lead. The goal, and the belated arrival of their rhythm section seemed to put some life into a subdued crowd, and the East team supporters began to call for a goal.
They would not have to wait long, as heavy pressure forced Presentation to concede a free kick on the right flank. John Stewart was onlytoo happy to oblige with a delightful effort, bending the ball beyond County and his wall, and into the far left "vee" to send St Augustine in at the interval with a 2-0 advantage.
There was more work for County in the second half, who, apart from some diving stops in the area, had to contend with the ball whizzing by the uprights, and skimming the crossbar. The narrowest escape came in the 69th when he parried a Stewart shot overbar. But he would not be so lucky four minutes later in the 73rd when a diving Aaron Peters headed gracefully onto the inside of County's left post and into the net.
The Green Machine closed out the scoring when Elton John drilled home a 24-metre free kick in the 81st minute. Although Pres had a chance for a consolationitem two minutes from time, Marvin Manswell could only find the safe hands of St Augustine goalie Nigel Parris.
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