A narrow victory by 4 goals to 3 for National Quarries North East Stars over the little fancied Tobago United was not what the doctor ordered—but at the end of the ninety minutes coach Jimmy Mc lean would have been thankful for the three points.
The Sangre Grande Boys determined to get maximum points and maximum goals from this encounter with Tobago United set about their mission manfully and within the first forty minutes of the game, the defending champions took a 3-0 lead over the Tobago Boys.
Fifteen minutes in, Anthony Wolfe who had an outstanding game put the Stars ahead, rifling home a neat pass he received from Kendall Velox just outside the six yard box.
Just after the half hour mark Kayode Mc kinnon doubled the North East Lions lead, and then in the 42nd minute to the delight of the home fans at the Sangre Grande Recreation Ground, their hero Jerren Nixon tapped in a 3rd goal.
Tobago were totally outplayed in the first 45 minutes, but pulled one back through Noel Williams on the stroke of half time—3-1 the score at the break.
A different looking Tobago outfit came out in the second period of play and newly signed Ashford Leggerton took advantage of a goalkeeping blunder by Trevor Nottingham and brought Tobago within one.
But a goalkeeping blunder on one end produced another goalkeeping blunder on the other end and North East Fabien Garcia was the quickest to react and sent the Stars 4-2 ahead.
Tobago’s Dwayne Jack who made all the difference in the second half, scored a 77th minute item to bring the boys from the sister isle back within one—but Tobago United were unable to find the all important equalizer in the final thirteen minutes.