“We just came out to work hard, motivated by our coach … the best coach in the league, Terry Fenwick,” Central FC’s 20-year-old Tobagonian attacker Rundell Winchester told reporters following his team’s 2-1 win in the Final of the 2014 Lucozade Sport Goal Shield (LSGS) on Friday night.
Winchester couldn’t contain his joy at the Ato Boldon Stadium, and deservingly so. He had just received his winners’ medal and the MVP award, accolades he also picked up in the Final of the First Citizens Cup last October which his side won 2-1 against Defence Force.
Back then at age 19, Winchester had set up an equalising goal before scoring the winner.
Now at age 20 and just over five months later, and still displaying his incredible and deceptive speed, the Trinidad and Tobago forward reminded the thousands of spectators, who packed the Couva venue covered stands, what he is made of.
“In a big game like this it’s about stepping up,” Winchester added. “I am really motivated by my (teammates). They always make me come and work hard and I’m now so happy we came and beat W Connection in a big Final.
“It’s a pleasure that we have put our rivals to shame. I feel so happy. We love it. I’m going to celebrate with my team … Central to the world!”
Two bites in a space of seven minutes and the “Sharks” were leading by two goals before the 20th minute mark with Winchester scoring one and setting up another.
In the 13th minute Winchester, undoubtedly the Usain Bolt of Trinidad and Tobago football, was unleashed by a Willis Plaza pass in midfield and blew past two of the quickest defenders in the league, Daneil Cyrus and Kurt Frederick, before unleashing a half volley past goalkeeper Aquelius Sylvester for a 1-0 score.
Then by the 19th minute Central led 2-0 when a deft header at the far post by 38-year-old midfielder and captain Marvin Oliver, off a Winchester cross, which sunk into Sylvester’s goal.
Winchester explained his joy also belonged to Tobago. He said, “Most Tobagonians don’t come down to Trinidad and shine. I came here and I’m making my Tobago proud and also it’s an honour to be the MVP. I just love the feeling. It’s a great feeling.”
Winchester and teammates Marvin Oliver and Willis Plaza along with Connection’s Hashim Arcia and North East Stars midfielder Keron Cummings all finished joint top scorers with two goals each, while Fenwick was presented with the Coach of the Tournament award.
Two minutes after Central’s second item, Connection were celebrating, and the “Sharks” lead was sliced in half when a 30-yard free-kick blast by Alvin Jones was too hot for former ‘Savonnetta Boys” goalie Jan Michael Williams as it struck the underside of the crossbar and down into the net.
Moments later (Alvin) Jones, who plays as a right fullback, forced a blockout by Williams, and six minutes from time from a 22-yard set piece his on-target strike was measured by the Central goalie, putting it behind for a corner following a handball ruled against Elton John by referee Neal Brizan.
On the other end in the 50th minute, Connection were rescued by (Alvin) Jones, when he wedged a boot into Winchester's within the six yard area, spinning the ball overbar.
Then in the 88th minute Plaza, playing with an injured right foot, executed excellent skill to slip away from three Connection players before having a go at goal above the area which Sylvester blocked out and followed up with a similar save against Winchester before wrapping the second rebound attempt by Jason Marcano.
In the end however, Central, the second season old club, celebrated their second title this season, revenge over the side that defeated them 6-5 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the Final of the FA Trophy last December, and $44,000 based on the Lucozade Sport Goal Shield winners prize money scheme.
While Connection, also the winners of this season’s Digicel Charity Shield and Toyota Classic, failed to defend the title they lifted in 2009 and 2013. The “Savonnetta Boys” walked away with $16,500 based on the runners-up prize money scheme and medals.
“We started well,” said Connection assistant coach and former standout forward Earl Jean following the match. “In the first 10-15 minutes the game was going well for us but I think we allowed the second goal too easy … too simple. And I think that put us on the back foot.
“We always knew it was going to be a tough game against Central.
“(Looking at the game) we want to be positive. We want to take the good side out of the game. I think we had more possession and that’s what we needed to do and try to control the game a little more.
“(But) I don’t think our strikers are firing on all cylinders and that put us back. We lost (striker) Dimitrie Apai in training (with a knee injury). And (midfielder) Joevin Jones hasn’t played in a while since coming back from injury.
“They (Central) got a victory and that’s it. It’s a big disappointment when you’re defending your trophy and lose,” settled the former St. Lucia international.
Lucozade Sport Goal Shield 2014 Final
W Connection 1—2 Central FC
Alvin Jones 21’ ; Rundell Winchester 13’, Marvin Oliver 19’
Teams
W Connection—22. Aquelius Sylvester, 3. Gerard Williams (C) (Yellow Card), 4. Daneil Cyrus, 2. Kurt Frederick, 10. Joevin Jones, 14. Hashim Arcia, 19. Leslie Joel Russell, 40. Jomal Williams (7. Silvio Spann 69th) (Yellow Card), 65. Neil Benjamin Jr. (13. Devaughn Elliot 82nd), 20. Stefano Rijssel (17. Jamal Clarence 64th), 39. Alvin Jones (Yellow Card)
Unused substitutes—18. Julani Archibald (GK) 11. Tremain Shayn Paul, 25. Christian Viveros, 15. Mekeil Williams
Coach—Stuart Charles Fevrier
Central FC—21. Jan-Michael Williams, 10. Marvin Oliver (C), 45. Ataullah Guerra, 1. Willis Plaza, 9. Dwight Quintero (6. Leston Paul 64th), 2. Elton John (Yellow Card), 3. Keion Goodridge, 7. Jason Marcano (Yellow Card) (22. Keon Trim 92nd), 17. Rundell Winchester (Yellow Card), 24. Akeem Benjamin (Yellow Card), 50. Yohance Marshall
Unused substitutes—25. Javon Sample (GK), 4. Sean de Silva, 27. Samuel Delice, 11. Darren Mitchell, 15. Kaydion Gabriel
Coach—Terry Fenwick
Match Statistics
1 Goals 2
3 Shots on Target 5
1 Shots Wide 5
2 Corners 3
2 Offsides 1
12 Fouls 14
3 Yellow Cards 3
0 Red Cards 0
Match Referee—Neal Brizan
Full 2014 Lucozade Sport Goal Shield results [Play-off Round]
San Juan Jabloteh 2—0 St. Ann’s Rangers
Jean-Luc Rochford 5’, Micah Lewis 61’
Quarter-Final Round
Central FC 4—0 Caledonia AIA
Willis Plaza 14’(PEN), 43’, Ataullah Guerra 81’, Marvin Oliver 90’ (PEN)
Point Fortin Civic 1 (4)—(3) 1 Defence Force
Akeem Redhead 41’ ; Glynn Franklyn 80’
(Point Fortin Civic won 4-3 on penalties)
Defence Force (3) Point Fortin Civic (4)
Devorn Jorsling (scored) Marcus Joseph (scored)
Richard Roy (scored) Andre Toussaint (scored)
Curtis Gonzales (saved) Andre Ettienne (scored)
Ross Russell Jr. (scored) Bevon Bass (scored)
Corey Rivers (saved)
W Connection 3—1 San Juan Jabloteh
Tremain Shayn Paul 8’, Jamal Clarence 15’, Hashim Arcia 24’ ; Kareem Smith 76’
North East Stars 2—1 Police FC
Keron Cummings 2’, 41’ ; Jameel Perry 73’
Semi-Final Round
Central FC 2—0 North East Stars
Dwight Quintero 15’, Rundell Winchester 79’
W Connection 1—0 Point Fortin Civic
Hashim Arcia 53’
Final
W Connection 1—2 Central FC
Alvin Jones 21’ ; Rundell Winchester 13’, Marvin Oliver 19’