Former winners DIRECTV W Connection and North East Stars are into the semi-final round of the 2013 Lucozade Sport Goal Shield, joining defending champions Caledonia AIA and two-time finalists Defence Force.
Connection overpowered Police FC 4-0 in the second quarter-final clash at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Friday night, while simultaneously at the Marvin Lee Stadium, the Stars edged Central FC 1-0 with a 29th minute item from attacker Elijah Manners.
Two minutes later (31st minute) at the Couva venue, striker Hashim Arcia opened Connection’s account against the Lawmen.
And there was no chance of a comeback by Police in the second period with Connection hitting the target three more times with items by Jerrel Britto (46th minute), Stefano Rijssel (56th minute) and Joevin Jones (68th minute) to advance into the semi-final round on Friday 19 April.
Apart from the Stars’ slim victory over Central FC, the Lucozade Sport Goal Shield lived up to its name in the quarter-final round with 17 goals scored.
Clearly clubs are tempted by the unique cash for goals incentive which will see the base $20,000 for the L/S Goal Shield Champions increase by $1,000 for every goal in the QF round, $2,000 for every goal scored in the SF round, and $3,000 for every goal scored in the Final.
While the LSGS runners up will receive a base of $10,000 for the LSGS Champions and $500 for every goal in the QF round, $1,000 for every goal scored in the SF round, and $1,500 for every goal scored in the Final.
However no monies will be awarded for penalty kicks used to decide the winner of a match in the case of a draw.
Earlier Defence Force trounced T&TEC 6-1 at the Ato Boldon Stadium and Caledonia AIA advanced with a 4-1 win over St. Ann’s Rangers in Macoya.
Defence Force will meet North East Stars in semi-final one from 6pm at the Marvin Lee Stadium, followed by Connection against Caledonia AIA in semi-final two from 8pm.
Defence Force, Caledonia and Connection have all showed their scoring abilities, while North East Stars who prematurely replaced ace forward Cornell Glen a minute before the break with a suspected injury, now has a week to work on its finishing as well as returning the 2006 World Cup player to match fitness.
Despite making his early exit, Glen was influential in the Stars’ winning item following a 20th minute miss by Kern Navarro who headed overbar at the goalmouth from a Manners cross.
And six minutes later Glen was inches to high with an ambitious effort from distance.
But in the 29th minute Manners had the courtesy of tapping North East Stars ahead from close up, after Glen received a Kennedy Hinkson cross from the right and untangled his way past defender Omar Charles before slipping a pass to Manners a metre from the goalmouth.
However the Angus Eve coached-Sangre Grande club needed much more that a single goal against his former boss and present Central FC coach Terry Fenwick.
Near the end, Stars goalkeeper and captain Cleon John had to make a couple point blank saves to preserve his team’s one-goal advantage.
In the 83rd minute the Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper made a shutout on a close up effort by Central substitute Rondell Winchester, and in injury time, provided another great save by blocking out a low strike by Carey Harris.
Results
North East Stars 1—0 Central FC
Elijah Manners 29’
W Connection 4—0 Police FC
Hashim Arcia 31’, Jerrel Britto 46’, Stefano Rijssel 56’, Joevin Jones 68’
Caledonia AIA 4—1 St. Ann’s Rangers
Aubrey David 39’, Jamal Gay 47’, Aaron Lester 86’, Nathan Lewis 89’ ; Tyrone Charles 90’+
Defence Force 6—1 T&TEC FC
Devorn Jorsling 20’, 36’, Kevon Carter 65’, 67’, Richard Roy 80’, Josimar Belgrave 90’+1 ; Rodell Elcock 45’ (own goal)
Teams
North East Stars—22. Cleon John (capt.), 2. Kareem Moses (Yellow Card), 4. Kerry Baptiste, 5. Kevon Villaroel, 6. Jeromie Williams (32. Keithy Simpson 78th), 13. Cornell Glen (Yellow Card - 15. Kaydion Gabriel 45th), 7. Elijah Manners (17. Jayson Joseph 62nd), 25. Keryn Navarro (Yellow Card), 18. Kaashif Thomas, 19. Glenton Wolfe, 23. Kennedy Hinkson
Unused substitutes—1. Adrian Foncette, 12. Gary Glasgow, 16. Jean-Luc Rochford, 26. Shane Hospidales, 45. Marcus Gomez
Coach—Angus Eve
Central FC—1. Marvin Phillip (capt.), 3. Keion Goodridge, 4. Omar Charles, 10. Marvin Oliver, 14. Peter Byers, 16. Carey Harris, 32. Jason Marcano, 20. Darryl Trim (8. Rondell Winchester 46th), 19. Adrian Noel (11. Rennie Britto 60th), 7. Hayden Tinto (37. Johan Peltier 73rd), 53. Darren Mitchell.
Unused Substitutes—Shane Mattis, Mark Leslie, Anthony Wolfe, Dwight Pope.
Coach—Terry Fenwick.