1976 FC Phoenix are the kings of the inaugural Trinidad and Tobago Football Association Premier League, Tier-2 division.
The Tobago boys played unbeaten in the tournament, after edging Petit Valley-Diego Martin United of Trinidad 2-1, in the final at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet on Tuesday.
The first half was punctuated by missed opportunities for both teams and ended goalless.
The level of play was more palatable in the second half, as the teams settled into their rhythm.
United sprung a counter-attack from their defence in the 65th minute and Akeil Thomas received a well-waited through ball on the right of Phoenix’s defence, where he eluded a defender and his shot found the back of the net.
While in the ascendancy United appeared to be playing for time too early, as they were delaying every infringement. After a sustained period of attack, Lejandro Williams provided the lifeline for Phoenix in the 77th minute.
Following a build-up on the left, Williams was on the end of a diagonal ball in United’s six-yard box and with only the keeper to beat, he made no mistake to level the scores at one goal each.
The winning goal came 11 minutes later.
United under no pressure, easily surrendered possession to Phoenix just inside their half, which resulted in a shot on goal that rebounded off the goalkeeper unto the feet of Mickaeel Gem Gordon, who scored from close range.
United had no answer in the remaining minutes and Phoenix celebrated the title.
Phoenix coach Nigel De Souza was thankful for the result, “playing in front a partisan crowd the pressure was on, and we did not want to lose the last game of the season, so we are elated and happy to win”. De Souza expressed.
Gordon, Phoenix’s leading goal scorer for the season, who netted the winner said, “My mindset is to score every game and the crowd energy felt like a twelfth man, so when I scored the first place i pointed was the stands”.
United manager Derek Edwards said, “Coming into the game, we felt confident, we were on a good run and when the teams met earlier in the season, we were down to ten men and the game was close, but congratulations to Phoenix”.
SOURCE: T&T Newsday
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