La Horquetta Sporting Academy did the improbable on Saturday, completing an already memorable season with a third successive title, the Eastern Football Association’s (EFA) President’s Cup, following a 1-0 win over T&T Prisons in the final, at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya.
The deciding factor was a solo effort from substitute winger Wesley Elcock, who less than ten minutes after his introduction, eluded two Prisons players before slotting home the winning goal in the 59th minute.
La Horquetta also enjoyed success in in the EFA Premier Division and the FA Cup, a mere two years after promotion into the zone’s top league.
Its die-hard supporters, who were credited by coaches Jude John and Aaron Greeene, as the mainstay of the team’s successes, turned up at the Tunapuna stadium to witness the finale of the club’s most successful campaign to date.
Incredibly, La Horquetta, a young club with no major sponsor, won the EFA title by a whopping 15 points. The season prior, La Horquetta finished second, behind a star-studded and a more financially secure Malabar FC, a club currently challenging for the National Super League title.
According to officials of La Horquetta, no player is paid, not even a stipend, but the team has attracted members of neighbouring communities largely due to its spirit and passion.
“The camaraderie and the passion and love for football is how we’ve gotten this far. The love for the sport gives them the extra zip to succeed,” said John.
He said Sunday’s success culminated in celebrations across the community of La Horquetta. “Players and supporters were blowing their horns and celebrating. That’s how much this means to us.”
He said the players were already motivated by the support of the community and not money.
“They know that (money) will come in time,” he said.
“We see that the people within the area are shunning a life of crime. That’s what we want. We want to show these guys that there’s something outside of crime. Sport is a tool, an avenue, whatever you want to describe it,” said John.
Turning his attention to the Super League qualifiers which begin on March 9, at home—Phase II Recreation Ground, La Horquetta, against Tobago’s Goal City, John said his team was aware of what it was up against.
“We are ready to begin more intensive training,” John said, adding that his team was relishing this opportunity for promotion.
La Horquetta opens against the Tobago outfit at home and will then face North Zone champion Queen’s Park Cricket Club three days later.
On the preceding Sunday (March 16) and Wednesday, the team will face Matura United (Eastern Counties) and Coosal’s Las Lomas, respectively, before closing the five-match competition against South Zone champion Petrotrin Palo Seco on March 23.