The 2007 TT Pro League season opened in Tobago with the Sangre Grande based North East Stars hammering out 4-1 victory over Tobago United at the Dwight Yorke Stadium.
North East Stars were accompanied by a very supportive band of supporters and the 2004 Pro League champions stamped their authority on the game from as early as the 5th minute, when Guyanese striker Randolph Jerome benefited from a poor clearance from the Tobago United defence and he shifted expertly to his right and blasted a fierce right footed shot past goalkeeper Andrew Durant.
The game settled down with both Teams playing some good football, with excellent ground passing. Tobago Untied was playing an improved brand of football from last season and they were able to match the well-oiled North East Stars machine, both in attack and defence.
However, in the 15th minute the Tobago based team lost key player Keon Samuel through a head injury and was replaced by Jimmiel Smith. They were also denied what looked like a certain penalty when referee Lester Alleyne failed to make the call.
The first half ended 1-0 in favour of North East Stars and in the second half it was the turn of the skillful forward Kendall Jagdeosingh to stamp his authority on the game.
The North East Team continued to play basic football, knocking the ball around and spreading their play around the lush Dwight Yorke Stadium ground and it was the nippy Jagdeosingh who delivered the goods for his team with a well-taken hat-trick of goals in the 56th, 69th, and 85th minutes.
Unfortunately for the Tobago Team, they lost their inspiration captain Kevin Adams midway in the second half. He was sent for an ‘early shower’ by referee Alleyne.
The Tobago Team did pull a goal back in the 87th minute through a well-taken goal from the hardworking Handel Williams.
Tobago United
AndrewDurant (GK)
Kevin Adams (Capt)
Kern Thomas
Lorenzo Weebers
Tichard Joseph
Jimmiel Smith
Marvin Phillips
Garvin Mc Kenna
Garth Woodley
Handel Manswell
Coach: Peter Granville
North East Stars
Glenton Wolfe (Capt)
Anthony Wolfe
Akeil Guepara
Dexter Franklyn
Kendal Jagdeosingh
Kevyn Narvarro
Keston Pierre
Kendal Velox
Marc Leslie
Morvil Phillip
Randolph Jerome
Coach: James Mc Lean
Match Referee – Lester Alleyne
Man of the Match – Kendall Jagdeosingh (Caledonia AIA)
Game Statistics
North East Stars Tobago United
4 Goals 1
8 Shots on Target 7
2 Offsides 2
8 Corners 0
2 Fouls 2
0 Yellow Cards 3
0 Red Cards 1