Make way for fresh talent! Wired868 reviews some of the Under-23 players who caught our eye with their committed, consistent play this season.
No room then for the talented upstarts who barely played or delivered for one reason or the other. So, check out who made our Ruby Tuesday/Wired868 Young Team of the Year:
Christopher Biggette (St Ann’s Rangers/Goalkeeper):
One thing is certain when you put on the goalkeeper’s gloves at St Ann’s Rangers. You are going to get lots of opportunities to prove your mettle.
Biggette has made the most of a miserable season for the Pro League’s bottom club.
Shannon Gomez (W Connection/Right back):
Gomez has had a stop-start season with absences for national youth team duty and personal reasons. But when he has played, he generally excelled with his tenacious overlaps and astute crossing.
Jibiri McDavid (Police FC/Defender):
McDavid usually played at right back for Police but we could not leave him out of the starting line-up. A consistent performer who is mobile and has a tremendous attitude on the field.
Jamali Garcia (Defence Force/Defender):
An understated player who is easy to miss. More likely than not, he pops up just as an opposing striker starts getting grand ideas.
Triston Hodge (W Connection/Left back):
Hodge has big shoes to fill as he replaces the excellent St Lucia international Kurt Frederick on the left side of the Connection defence. But he has done as well as can be expected. Comfortable going forward.
Nicholas Marcano (Caledonia AIA/Utility player):
Strong, competitive and versatile, Marcano was one of the brighter aspects of a largely forgettable season for the “Eastern Stallions.”
Neveal Hackshaw (North East Stars/Midfielder):
Arguably, the best indication of coach Angus Eve’s work at North East this season was not the TTFA FA Trophy. It was the wonderful development of this young Goliath who has grown from a defensive anchor to an all-action box-to-box midfielder. Big, bad, bustling Hackshaw gets the nod as Wired868’s Young Player of the Season.
And the Ruby Tuesday restaurant has graciously offered a Dinner for Two for the young “Soca Warrior”, which we will present to him. Enjoy Neveal!
Akeem Redhead (Point Fortin Civic/Midfielder):
Brave, athletic and composed, Redhead is the engine room at Civic. He had another fine season for the southern team; and Wired868 thinks he can do even better
Jomal Williams (W Connection/Attacking midfielder):
Williams is another young talent who sometimes looks to be playing with his handbrakes up. He can pass, shoot, dribble and run. The only limits on this young man are the ones he puts on himself.
Akeem Garcia (W Connection/Attacking midfielder):
Young master “Shimmy” is an awkward opponent for defenders with his low centre of gravity, strength and ability to seamlessly glide away to the left or right. He is fearless too and improving in the opposing penalty area. Another bright talent.
Pernell Schultz (Caledonia AIA/Striker):
The slender Guyanese striker looks about as threatening as a pillow. Right up until he has spun away to celebrate another goal out of nothing.
Schultz’s 14 Pro League goals were almost half of Caledonia’s overall tally of 31 and joint fourth highest in the competition. Wired868 will try to keep an eye on the mystery striker.
And the next best things:
Aaron Enill (San Juan Jabloteh/Goalkeeper):
The Mucurapo East Secondary student has rarely played this season. But he is one for the future.
Jameel Neptune (Caledonia AIA/Utility player):
A fine crosser of the ball and an unselfish, hardworking player. Caledonia will do well to hold on to him.
Garth Thomas (San Juan Jabloteh/Right back):
A joy to watch going forward although he can improve defensively.
Kion Joseph (North East Stars/Midfielder):
A typical North East player, Joseph is mean, committed and versatile. Always puts in a good shift.
Jamille Boatswain (Point Fortin Civic/Forward):
Fast, raw and dangerous, Boatswain is starting to emerge from Marcus Joseph’s shadow at Civic.
Notable mentions: Dario Holmes (San Juan Jabloteh), Glen Sutton (Point Fortin Civic), Brent Sam (San Juan Jabloteh).
Editor’s Note: So who did we miss? Okay, St Ann’s Rangers starlet Kadeem Corbin missed out because we felt he just did not play enough games this year.