Three TT Pro League clubs advanced into the semi-final round of the 2013 FA Trophy competition, but with slim results on Wednesday.
DIRECTV W Connection, North East Stars and Central FC all progressed into the semi-final pool, along with Super League outfit Malabar FC, which will be drawn on Friday and contested on Wednesday 11 December.
Three-time FA winners, W Connection, overcame a passionate Guaya United, a heavy surface, and an intimidating “Green Army” crowd at the La Savanne Recreation Ground in Guayaguayare with a 1-0 score, the same score-line managed by Central FC against home team Petrotrin Palo Seco at the Palo Seco Recreation Ground.
At the Mahaica Oval in Point Fortin, North East Stars needed a 4-2 penalty win following a goalless draw against fellow Pro League outfit Point Fortin Civic, while the fourth and final team reaching the semi-final round was Malabar FC, who defeated Queen’s Park Cricket Club FC 2-1.
Kevon Woodley fired Malabar ahead in the 14 th minute before QPCC’s Vladimir Suite leveled the score 1-1 in the 30th minute. It took Malabar until the 65th minute at the Dibe Recreation Ground in Long Circular to find the match winner, scored by Gorian Highley.
On the opposite end of Trinidad, in Palo Seco, it was Keon Trim’s 45 th minute strike that earned last season’s defeated finalist Central its place in this season’s semi-final round.
And in Guayaguayare, an earlier item scored in the 22 nd minute by Tobagonian Mickaeel Jem Gordon gave Connection, still fresh from lifting this season’s Toyota Classic trophy last Friday, the much needed win.
W Connection head coach Stuart Charles Fevrier, who led the “Savonnetta Boys” to successfully defend the Digicel Charity Shield this season, occupy pole position in the Digicel Pro League table, and win the Toyota Classic Final 2-0 against Club Sando, said that Wednesday’s 1-0 FA quarterfinal round win over Guaya was definitely one of his team’s best for the season.
“Mainly because of the ground conditions,” he added, “… and mainly because Guaya don’t normally lose in Guaya.
“They were considered to be better in those conditions, than us … and with their home support … and in their own backyard, while we played with the nil.
“This is where our professionalism showed. The fact that the score ended 1-0.
“We just wanted to win the game. I told (my) players it’s just important to get the job done. 1 nil and 6 nil is the same because it’s a knockout competition. Goal average isn’t important.
“We are a professional team, because we could have made the adjustment. I really respect this win. I must give a lot of credit to my players for this win.
Gordon raced down the left before combining with Brazilian Celio Da Silva inside the area, and on the return pass the slim built forward curled his strike past Guaya goalkeeper Kevon Saunders for a 1-0 score.
But as the game progressed the rain-soaked surface became more and more difficult for both sides.
However the Ron La Forest coached-Guaya, which fell 3-0 against W Connection in the semi-final round of the Toyota Classic a week and a half ago, had a couple first chances to equalise.
In the 32 nd minute Kerdell Alfred, cheered on by a few hundred supporters, turned neatly and fired in a strike from just outside the area but directly at goalkeeper Aquelius Sylvester, who made an easy gather.
Guaya without top players Ryan Stewart and Kevin Jagdeosingh, both nursing injuries, were close in the 42 nd minute when a Jody Allsop freekick from the right crashed off the crossbar.
And in the 45 th minute a dipping strike from left-back John Stewart flew just beyond the far post.
La Forest was quite pleased following the match and didn’t dwell on the absence of R. Stewart and Jagdeosingh. Instead the Guaya coached said he was happy for the improvement displayed by his players against the side that defeated them 3-0 in the Toyota Classic.
Connection had a few openings in the second period but just couldn’t find the back of the net a second time.
Goalscorer Gordon struck wide of the upright in the 56 th minute after being picked out by a Jhon Stiven Reyes Lopez pass inside the area.
Ten minutes later Joevin Jones, who is scheduled to depart Trinidad on Saturday for a 12-day trial at Italian Serie A club Udinese, volleyed wide of the Guaya post on his first touch of the ball after replacing Camilo Ortega Diaz a minute earlier.
Jones was one of three second half introductions, striker Hashim Arcia and defensive midfielder Gerard Williams the others, made by Fevrier who utilized a second string outfit with the likes of Celio Da Silva Santos, Tremain Shayn Paul, Devaughn Elliot, goalkeeper Aquelius Sylvester, Gordon and Lopez.
“On a ground like that, you must make three substitutes,” explained Fevrier following the match. “Because to go and come for ninety minutes on those conditions, you must (add) fresh legs.
“Because our squad is small, you will find that our starters were on the bench. And because Jones is (going on trial) I kept it minimum just to keep him active.
“I also didn’t start him and other players on the bench because we have a [Digicel Pro League] game [against Central FC] on the weekend as well. And (after playing on the Guaya ground) we need at least three days to recover.”
The Connection coach also highlighted, “Not many coaches would play the team I played here today and that’s what makes the difference for W Connection. I (always) show faith and confidence in all my players. All of them train together and all of them have talent. I never make my players feel like they are reserves.
“So far, over the years, W Connection is the team that has gotten the best results using any of their players.”
Gordon, a developmental signing prior the start of the season, tried his luck at goal again in the 67 th minute, before being replaced by Arcia three minutes later, but his blast from the right whisked across the face of goal and out for a goal-kick to the delight of Guaya and its “Green Army” which on many instances verbally abused members of the W Connection technical area and match referee Gyasi Mc Donald.
Guaya goalkeeper Saunders pulled off a stop in the 76 th minute when he denied Jomal Williams and kept the hopes of the Guaya faithful alive.
But in the end, following four minutes time added on, it was Connection that left the battleground as heroes, while Guaya celebrated themselves proud soldiers of the game.
“This [victory] is not by guess,” said a proud W Connection owner/president David John Williams.
He and Fevrier gave details of their itinerary which included: a day off on Sunday, following Saturday night’s Toyota Classic Final win; a post-Final video session on Monday followed by training on the afternoon; a session with psychologist Brian Skinner on Tuesday morning before making the trip to Guayaguayare, and a training session at Amoco ground on the afternoon.
“So the result isn’t only on the field,” added Fevrier who made the trip to Guayaguayare on Sunday for a first time visit to the venue and to formalise arrangements at the Sunset Beach Resort for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Williams estimated costs at $8,000 for accommodating and meals for members of staff and its entire squad.
He said, “We have a standard to keep.”
Fevrier went further to add, “The word professional alone is a high level. What happens with other clubs is they don’t put value on being a professional club.”
Earlier this week the FA Trophy tournament organisers – Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) – unofficially revealed that there is a prize money structure to the tournament that went empty handed last season.
However, the tournament, which usually boasts an $80,000 winners’ prize along with the trophy, has been restructured to a $50,000 winners’ prize, $30,000 for the runners-up, and $20,000 going to the third place finishers.
Williams expressed his gratitude on the available prize monies.
“From zero to fifty” combined with a few chuckles, said it all.
Connection, Stars and Central will all return to Digicel Pro League action on the weekend in Round One Match Day Seven.
North East Stars will travel to the Hasely Crawford Stadium from 8 p.m. against San Juan Jabloteh on Friday following a 6 p.m. clash between St. Ann’s Rangers and Police FC.
On Saturday Point Fortin will host reigning champions Defence Force from 3:30 p.m. at the Mahaica Oval, and Connection against town-rivals Central from 5 p.m. at the Ato Boldon Stadium
FA Trophy 2013 Quarter Final Round Results
Guaya United 0—1 W Connection
Mickaeel Jem Gordon 22’
Point Fortin Civic (2)0—0(4) North East Stars
(North East Stars won 4-2 on penalties)
Petrotrin Palo Seco 0—1 Central FC
Keon Trim 45’
QPCC 1—2 Malabar FC
Vladimir Suite 30’ ; Kevon Woodley 14’, Gorian Highley 65’
Teams
Guaya United—1. Kevon Saunders, 18. Leston Paul (capt.), 5. John Stewart (Yellow Card), 7. Jody Allsop, 8. Kerdell Alfred (9. Earlon Thomas 64th), 10. Carlon Hughes, 12. Akieno Morgan (2. Marcus Ramkhelewan 68th), 14. Sherlon Campbell, 19. Beville Joseph, 27. Kheelon Mitchell (99. Russell Alfred 66th), 77. Leroy Jones
Unused substitutes—6. Zavion Navarro, 26. Kendes Garcia, 70. Kheelon Ferrier, 80. Marcus Des-Cartes (GK)
Coach—Ron La Forest
W Connection—22. Aquelius Sylvester, 15. Mekeil Williams (capt.), 6. Celio Da Silva Santos (Yellow Card), 11. Tremain Shayn Paul, 12. Camilo Ortega Diaz (Yellow Card) (10. Joevin Jones 64th), 13. Devaughn Elliot, 25. Christian Viveros, 28. Yhon Stiven Reyes Lopez (3. Gerard Williams 76th), 29. Mickaeel Jem Gordon (Yellow Card) (14. Hashim Arcia 70th), 39. Alvin Jones, 40. Jomal Williams
Unused substitutes—2. Kurt Frederick, 9. Andell Noray, 18. Julani Archibald (GK), 19. Leslie Joel Russell
Coach—Stuart Charles Fevrier