CLICO San Juan Jabloteh are one match away from three titles this season as the 2008 League and Lucozade Sport Big Six Champions are into the final of this year’s Toyota Classic against St Ann’s Rangers.
Caledonia pulled back a goal in the final minute of regular time through substitute Conrod Smith but only managed the Stallions a chance at the third place prize when they take on North East Stars in the third place playoff next Friday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium—the venue of the 2008 Toyota Classic final.
Stars went under 1-0 against Rangers in the earlier match at the Marabella venue thanks to an own goal scored by Keryn Navarro.
Rangers and Jabloteh will meet in the all-north clash from 8pm while North East Stars and Caledonia AIA will play in the earlier match from 6pm at the Port of Spain venue.
Caledonia had the ball in the back of the net in the 4th minute of play after Kendall Velox finished past goalkeeper Cleon John after a neat flick on by Walter Moore however the goal was ruled offside with the Vincentian forward a fraction offside.
Caledonia AIA continued to apply the pressure on the 2008 League Champions however it was the Terry Fenwick coached side that struck the opening item from a set piece in the 24th minute.
Cornell Glen finished with a powerfully with a volley after sneaking behind the Caledonia AIA defence to meet Trent Noel’s well taken freekick for a 1-0 advantage.
Two minutes later Jabloteh goalkeeper Cleon John pulled off a great save to deny Kareem Joseph’s header at close range after Abdallah Phillips dribbled past two defenders to ease into the area before making the cross at far post.
In the 34th minute attempted cross by Nigel Daniel into the Caledonia AIA turned out to be an effort on goal after it dipped inches wide of Michael Woods far upright after the Stallions goalie failed to gather what should have been a comfortable pick up.
And eight minutes from the half Caledonia winger Walter Moore fired just wide of John’s upright leaving the score in favour of Jabloteh 1-0 at the break.
Inside the second period Marvin Oliver was denied by goalkeeper Woods after the dreadlocked player headed on goal from a left side cross.
Oliver was later instrumental setting up Jabloteh’s second item in the 59th minute dribbling past two Caledonia players to play a low cross to teammate Elijah Manners who comfortably stab the ball into the net with Woods left beaten by the cross for a 2-0 cushion.
One minute later Cleon John made a save on a Velox effort as Caledonia never gave up the fight.
There were changes on both sides with Fenwick seeking to preserve his advantage while Caledonia’s Shabazz was seeking moments of glory.
Jerrol Forbes replaced goalscorer Cornell Glen in the 71st minute and found himself under the spot light.
Moments after clipping the Caledonia far post in the 83rd minute Jerrol Forbes had to seek medical attention after receiving a knock to his face—in what could have been contact with goalkeeper Michael Woods’ boot after the goalie raced out of his six yard area to collect mid-air ahead of the Jabloteh forward.
Forbes returned to action after seeking medical attention but collapsed at the end of the match and had to be stretchered off with a neck brace to seek further medical attention.
But prior to the end Caledonia reduced the deficit when substitute Conrod Smith slipped the ball past goalkeeper Cleon John in the final minute of regular minute after a neat interchange on passes inside the area between himself and Densil Theobald.
However four minutes of injury time wasn’t enough for the Morvant based Stallions to pull back another item leaving the victory in Jabloteh’s hands 2-1.
Jabloteh 2—1 Caledonia
Cornell Glen 24’, Elijah Manners 59’ ; Conrad Smith 90’
CLICO San Juan Jabloteh—Cleon John, Trent Noel (capt), Lester Peltier (Jason Marcano 64th), Devon Jamerson (Willis Plaza 74th), Elton John, Marvin Oliver, Cornel Glen (Jerol Forbes 71st), Nigel Daniel, Joel Russell, Elijah Manners, Anthon Hutchinson.
Coach—Terry Fenwick
Neal and Massy Caledonia AIA—Michael Woods, Charles Pollard (capt), Walter Moore, Kendall Velox (Conrad Smith 70th), Akim Armstrong (Hayden Tinto 63rd), Abdallah Phillips (Kevin Beaton 63rd), Kester Jacobs, Stephan David, Kareem Joseph, Densill Theobald, Sheldon Emmanuel
Coach—Jamaal Shabazz
Stars own goal gifts Rangers a Toyota final spot.
After 89 minutes of a deadlocked encounter St Ann’s Rangers celebrated their place in the 2008 Toyota Classic final against CLICO San Juan Jabloteh following a 1-0 win against North East Stars thanks to an own goal.
Keryn Navarro attempted clearance off the line in the final minute of regulation time saw the ball clash into the back of his goalkeeper Andrew Durrant and into their own net to hand St Ann’s Rangers a place in the next Friday’s final to be held at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain.
But it was a giveaway corner by goalkeeper Durrant which created the opportunity with Jevon Morris letting off a shot from inside the area causing the error as Rangers gladly accepted the win at the Mannie Ramjonh Stadium.
CLICO San Juan Jabloteh got past Neal and Massy Caledonia AIA 2-1 in the second match at the Marabella venue to earn their Toyota Classic final place.
But it’s not all over for Caledonia AIA and North East Stars as the two will do battle in the third place play-off.
St Ann’s Rangers may have had the slight advantage on possession but it was Akeil Guevara who had the first real chance to hit the mark when he headed wide after Carlos Gonzales headed across goal in the 25th minute.
Four minutes later Rangers’ Christon Thomas had a tame shot wrapped comfortably by North East Stars goalie Andrew Durrant.
And three minutes from the break Marc Leslie had a crack from 21 yards out which found its path through everyone catching goalkeeper Shane Mattis off guard and the ball crashed into his chest sending the Rangers goalie to the ground—however he recovered quickly and happy that the worst didn’t happen with the ball ending up in the back of his net.
St Ann’s Rangers survived a scare in the area in the final minute of play after Anthony Wolfe was kicked in the face by a defender in the bottom corner of the penalty area with referee Nigel Roberts awarding the Stars an indirect freekick which was wasted by the Leslie Fitzpatrick.
Three minutes into the second period Shem Mc Farlane went just wide of Durrant’s upright after hitting powerfully from distance.
Miguel Hackett made two changes in the 69th minute replacing defender Marlon Stoute with Keston Pierre and attacker Sean Cooper with Colombian Milton Espitia for North East Stars however their opponents didn’t have that leisure with just two substitutes—Keston Hamilton and Michael Browne—to coach Anthony Streete’s disposal.
Seven minutes from time and Streete made a change replacing Abiola Clarence with Keston Hamilton.
Rangers thought they earned themselves a penalty in the 84th minute after Keryn Navarro brought down Devon Modeste but referee Nigel Roberts ruled that the foul happened outside the area—the resulting freekick failed to harm goalkeeper Durrant with Brent Sancho clearing it to safety.
But in the final minute of regular time Rangers got the winning item from the corner with Jevon Morris having a low shot on goal which slipped under goalkeeper Durrant and an attempted clearance by Keryn Navarro clashed onto his goalie and back into the net for a 1-0 finish. Goalkeeper Durrant would be still blaming himself after it was his error that gave away the corner in what should have been and easy collect.
St Ann’s Rangers 1—0 North East Stars
Keryn Narvarro 90’ (own goal)
St Ann’s Rangers—Shane Mattis (capt), Coneal Thomas, Shem Mc Farlane, Christon Thomas, Devon Modeste, Andre Phillip (Michael Browne 90+), Keyon Edwards, Jevon Morris, Elijah Belgrave, Joseph Peters, Abiola Clarence (Keston Hamilton 83rd)
Coach—Anthony Streete
North East Stars—Andrew Durrant, Marlon Stoute (Keston Pierre 69th), Carlos Gonzales, Marc Leslie, Akeil Guevarra, Sean Cooper (Milton Espitia 69th), Sylvester Teesdale, Brent Sancho, Leslie Fitzpatrick, Keryn Navarro, Anthony Wolfe(capt).
Coach—Miguel Hackett