W Connection Start Defence Against Big 6 Winners
Defending Champions W Connection will open the 2006 season against last season’s Lucozade Sport big 6 winners United Petrotrin.
In years gone by the ‘Savonetta Boys’ may have considered this clash a walk in the park—but Petrotrin have displayed last season, they were rounding off in a decent looking outfit and coach Brian Williams fresh from winning the 2005 ‘Coach of the Year’ award is promising this season his troops will be even better prepared.
So it can prove to be a dicey first encounter for the powerful ‘Savonetta Boys’ at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
Connection’s biggest challenge will be the fact that this year they will be without undoubtedly their most influential player in Brazilian Gefferson Goulart—and this year they will be fielding a number of the young players who have come up through the ranks, and its just a matter of time to see how this new look team will perform.
This year, the likes of Shane Calderdon, Lyndon Diaz, Nickcolson Thomas, Andrei Pacheco, Dwight Scott and Clyde Leon will all be under the microscope as they seek to live up to the high standards W Connection have set.
Starworld Challenge the Might of Jabloteh
Starworld Strikers have made a return this season to the T&T Pro League and they will face what will be a tough re-introduction to life in the Pro League when they face last season’s Pro Bowl and F.A. Cup Champions San Juan Jabloteh.
Jabloteh is boasting of fielding a 100% local outfit—and this year they will be led on the field by newly appointed skipper Kerry Baptiste.
Former national midfielder Angus Eve has graciously bowed out and will be now coaching Jabloteh’s under 16 team.
The Jabloteh attack looks strong on paper, as they have signed national striker Anthony Wolfe, and also has a young talent in Jason Marcano as well as experienced striker Peter Prosper.
Starworld will have their work cut out for them—the question is- Can the San Fernando based club take up from where they left off when they last played in the League?
Caledonia Take Aim At The Army
Caledonia AIA and Defence force may be very well starting on the same footing.
These two teams have been the most inconsistent teams in local professional football over the last few season—one day producing good football and the other day they will look flat.
Caledonia however, will be coming this year with a level of confidence based on their 3rd place finish last season—the Jamal Shabbazz coached outfit will be aiming to possibly better their standings this season and what better way with a good start against Defence Force.
But this encounter can go anyway—as Defence Force is promising this season they will be coming with a renewed sense of purpose.
Can Devon Jorsling, Kevon Carter, Cory Rivers, Anton Pierre and Odelle Armstrong gel as a unit and get results this year?
Tobago United vs Superstar Rangers
The boys from the sister isle will have one thing on their mind—avoid relegation.
Tobago United have escaped the prospect of being demoted for the last 3 seasons, having finished at the bottom of the standings—but this year with the promotion-relegation system firmly in place Peter Granville’s forces will be hoping to get off to a good start against the newcomers Superstar Rangers.
Coach Granville is giving a guarantee that teams coming to Tobago will have a serious fight on their hands to leave with points—so it may not be easy for Superstar Rangers in their very first season in the Pro League to take something away from the game.
Come what may it will be an interest filled encounter with these two teams trying to establish an advantage from early.
Joe Public Makes a Trip to Sangre Grande
This clash is an Eastern Derby—as it brings together the ‘Eastern Lions Joe Public and the boys from Sangre Grande, North East Stars.
Joe Public comes back into the Pro League this year with a lot to prove—Can they continue to dominate in the way they did at the Super League?
Confident coach Michael Mc Commie is not worried about his team making the transition and believes, his forces have what it takes to not only challenge, but also topple the best of the Pro League.
It won’t be an easy task however, to head up to the Sangre Grande Recreation ground to play former League Champions North East Stars in their very own back yard in front of thousands of screaming Sangre Grande supporters.
May the best Eastern Giant win.
Round 1—Saturday 8th April, 2006
W Connection vs United Petrotrin
Ato Boldon Stadium…6 p.m.
Caledonia AIA Fire vs Defence Force
Larry Gomes Stadium..6p.m
Starworld Strikers vs San Juan Jabloteh
Mannie Ramjohn Stadium..6 p.m.
Tobago United vs Superstar Rangers
Dwight Yorke Stadium..5p.m.
Round 1—Sunday 9th April 2006
North East Stars vs Joe Public
Sangre Grande Recreation Ground…4 p.m.