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Fri, Mar

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Neal and Massy Caledonia AIA handed League leaders United Petrotrin their first defeat of the season, edging the Oilmen 4-2 on penalties in their 2008 Courts Pro Bowl semi-final clash on Friday at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.

Caledonia AIA, finalists of the 2007 First Citizens Cup and FA Trophy competitions are now in the final of the 2008 Courts Pro Bowl against Defence Force on May 23 at the same Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, with a 7pm kickoff time.

However their semi-final win had to be settled from the penalty spot after a gruelling match against the Pro League leaders.

Teenaged goalkeeper Glenroy Samuel in goal for Caledonia AIA denied United Petrotrin their first kick, saving on Kennedy Hinkson. His save seemed crucial as Caledonia went on to win the match 4-2 after a miss by Petrotrin’s Romauld Aguillera in the third kick.

However Petrotrin would remember their missed opportunity in the first minute of play, when striker Beville Joseph miscued inside the area.

Beville had another chance in the 7th minute and he did much better only to shoot just wide of Glenroy Samuel’s far post.

Less than a minute later Caledonia AIA’s Hayden Tinto missed the mark, after Nigel Codrington’s backpass gifted him the opportunity inside the area but he blasted high over-bar.

Abdallah Phillip also missed the target for the Stallions when in the 32nd minute after a neat build-up he struck wide of goalkeeper Curtis Granger’s post.

Caledonia captain and defender Charles Pollard also had his work cut out at the back, when in the 35th minute he made a crucial tackle on Jerol Forbes inside the area clearing the ball as the United Petrotrin ace was about to shoot on goal with goalkeeper Samuel advancing.

Caledonia’s Kendall Velox headed just over in the 38th minute when a Walter Moore right side cross seemed a little too high for the Vincentian.

Five minutes from the first half whistle a mistimed clearance by Makan Hislop opened an opportunity for Hayden Tinto, but the Caledonia player fired just wide under pressure from an advancing goalkeeper Curtis Granger.

And in the 43rd minute Beville Joseph was denied by goalkeeper Samuel dropped low to push of the effort for a corner.

Following the break Samuel was called to action in the 6th and 7th minutes. The Caledonia goalie had more work cut out in the second period.

In the 63rd minute Samuel had to make a full stretch and gather after a well struck 40 yard effort from substitute Devon Caseman was destined for the back of the net. Nine minutes later Samuel had to push behind a 23 yard free kick from Keon Daniel.

Caledonia AIA World Cup midfielder Densill Theobald  had one opening of the match but struck overbar from a cross in the 79th minute. Three minutes later teammate Nigel Codrington struck the cross bar from a set piece for Caledonia—the closest they got to scoring against Granger.

Midfielder Kerwin Jemmott made a late appearance replacing Abdallah Philip for the Stallions but that didn’t lessen work on goalkeeper Samuel, who five minutes from time tipped over a Lyndon Diaz freekick. And in added on time he pulled of two magnificent saves, back to back—first denying a Keon Daniel freekick and the follow-up by Ghymo Harper to keep a clean sheet sending the match into penalties.

Penalties

Caledonia AIA-4  -  United Petrotrin-2

Kerwin Jemmott (scored)  -  Kennedy Hinkson (saved)
Stephan David (missed)  -  Keon Daniel (scored)
Nigel Codrington (scored)  - Romauld Aguillera (missed)
Kareem Joseph (scored)  -  Devon Caseman (scored)
Densill Theobald (scored)