Mahaica Oval, POINT FORTIN – Kennedy Hinkson scored late on either side of the break as visiting North East Stars came from behind to defeat Point Fortin Civic 3-1 on Saturday in their Round One Match Day Two clash of the 2014-2015 Digicel Pro League.
Just as they did a week ago in their opening match, Civic went ahead first but later lost the match.
In the 31st minute defender Weslie John’s powerful header from a left side corner proved too hot for Stars’ goalie Cleon John, who had some glove to the ball.
But nine minutes later Civic surrendered the 1-0 lead when they allowed a through-ball into the area and 25-year-old Stars’ midfielder Jayson Joseph spanked a low right-footer into the far netting of goalkeeper Akini Adams’ goal to level the score 1-1.
Hinkson, a thorn in Civic’s side, with incredible speed and stamina, got a deserving goal in the 45th minute to put the Sangre Grande club in front 2-1.
The 28-year-old diminutive wide attacker, who can also occupy wide defense, or forward roles, latched onto a Kaashif Thomas pass and powerfully struck it past Adams, hitting the underside of the crossbar before entering the net.
Then on the 90th minute Hinkson completed his double for a 3-1 Stars’ lead, after making good room and height inside the Civic area to head past Adams off substitute Jesus Perez’s cross from the left.
Civic had an excellent equalizing moment in the 66th minute but midfielder Andre Pacheco, free at the back post, headed inches over-bar off a right side cross by former Trinidad and Tobago youth player Trent Lougheed.
Substitute Kevin Rouse also tried for Civic in the 73rd minute, but goalkeeper John, who stopped an early effort by Andre Toussaint, comfortably wrapped the defender’s powerful free-kick.
The Stars’ goalie also had to make a shutout against Civic goal-scorer John in stoppage time shortly before referee Cecil Hinds’ match ending whistles were heard.
“It feels good [to win],” said Stars coach Angus Eve following the match. “The first game (against Defence Force) I thought we were very bad unlucky with a bad refereeing decision, but in saying that I don’t like to blame the referees because we had a lot of chances in that game. If we had taken our chances in that first game we would have come out winners.”
One week ago North East Stars went under 1-0 against Defence Force after a late penalty was converted by Richard Roy.
“Now it feels good to win away from home in an environment like this (Mahaica Oval). A 3-1 score is a very good victory.”
But it wasn’t an easy feat as Eve explained.
“Civic came to play. They can jam and can also pass the ball. They have good players; experienced players like Toussaint and Pacheco who are very dangerous players on the ball. We had to be switched on both for a fight and for playing football.”
He credited the performance of his players saying, “The guys really worked. They band it together. Coming off the first game disappointment I probably worked them a bit harder in the past week and you could have seen the intensity of team which really rose today and we got the rewards of the hard work.
“I wanted to win the game and I expected a response from my team after losing a very difficult game (against Defence Force). Today (Saturday) I thought the guys’ response was excellent.”
Meanwhile Civic head coach Reynold Carrington believes that his side needs to dig deep, following their opening 2-1 defeat against Caledonia AIA and Saturday’s loss to the Stars.
“We need to dig deep,” he admitted. “I know it’s really early in the season but judging from the first two games we are just one step behind.
Correction must now come individually from the players, who must know that they are representing a community and not just themselves. We are not really matching the effort that we are getting from the community support.”
Carrington, a former T&T international just as Eve, vowed to continue working hard with the Civic for a turn-around in results.
Digicel Pro League 2014-2015 Round One Match Day Two Results
Point Fortin Civic 1—3 North East Stars
Weslie John 31’ ; Jayson Joseph 40’, Kennedy Hinkson 45’, 90’
Teams
Point Fortin Civic: 52. Akini Adams, 5. Andre Ettienne (C), 3. Steven Joseph, 4. Weslie John, 12. Glen Sutton, 18. Trent Lougheed (23. Kevin Rouse 67th), 8. Nickolson Thomas, 19. Andrei Pacheco (20. Jamille Boatswain 67th), 11. Andre Toussaint, 9. Matthew Bartholomew, 7. Kelvin Modeste (21. Andre Alexis 78th).
Unused substitutes: 24. Miguel Payne (GK), 13. Tevin Belfor, 14. Kariym Balthazar.
Coach: Reynold Carrington.
North East Stars: 22. Cleon John (C), 5. Aquil Selby, 12. Jayson Joseph (38. Jesus Perez 81st), 14. Dwane James, 15. Glenton Wolfe, 18. Kaashif Thomas (3. Kareem Richardson 81st), 23. Kennedy Hinkson, 25. Keryn Navarro, 41. Neveal Hackshaw, 42. Taryk Sampson (9. Tyrone Charles), 44. Kion Joseph.
Unused substitutes: 1. Stefan Berkeley (GK), 35. Jordan Devnish, 40. Jomoul Francois, 43. Reon Moore.
Coach: Angus Eve.
Match Referee: Cecil Hinds.