Hector fires Connection into FA semifinals

This was in the first match of a double-header on a wet and rainy night at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.

Hector, who made his international debut for T&T in the failed 2010 South Africa Concacaf World Cup qualifying campaign, opened the scoring in the second minute before he added another in the 31st minute for a 2-0 lead.

Four minutes before the interval, Valtrin boasting a number of former Secondary Schools Football League players reduced the deficit through a strike from Nathan Lewis to give themselves hopes of an upset.

However, on the resumption, W Connection, FA winners in 1999, 2000 and 2002 asserted themselves and made it 3-1 via strike from Colombian defender Christian Viveros before Mexican Jose Carlos Diaz (81st) and Hector, four minutes from the end added to the scoring to complete a 5-1 drubbing and a chance at a second title this season, having won the Pro League's Lucozade Sports Goal Shield.

Up at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya, Kerry Daniel netted an 89th minute equaliser for title-holder, Caledonia AIA of Morvant/Laventille to earn a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation time with fellow Pro League club, Ma Pau which had taken a 13th minute lead thanks to a 13 minute header from Dwane James.

Daniel’s strike for Caledonia came as his team was applying some much needed pressure against Ma Pau which had been reduced to ten-men following the straight red card for defender Rashad Wint by referee Neil Brizan for a foul on Daniel.

In the night’s two other quarterfinal matches, Pro League champions, bmobile Joe Public came up against their EFA clubmates at the Marvin Lee Stadium, while at Couva, United Petrotrin tackled Siparia Spurs.

Caledonia wins it late against Ma Pau on penalties.
By: Randi Bando (ttproleague).

Defending FA Trophy champions Caledonia AIA of Morvant/Laventille had to be rescued by an injury time item by substitute Kerry Daniel against Ma Pau SC before winning the match 6-5 on penalties to advance into the semifinals of this year’s competition.

Ma Pau were leading following a first half item by Dwane James and thought they had the 1-0 victory with four minutes added-on time up on the board.

However following a careless challenge by midfielder Reshad Wint in the ninetieth minute—two minutes after making his appearance—on Kerry Daniel, Ma Pau were reduced to ten men followed by the Caledonia equalizer.

Daniel was left with little challenge above the area after picking up a pass from the right and the Caledonia substitute rescued his team with a low shot which eluded a fully stretched Shane Mattis to tie the score 1-1 which eventually led the match into extra time.

Either side failed to register a winning item after 30 minutes of injury time forcing the match to be decided on penalties.

And after seven kicks from either side, defending champs Caledonia were in celebration when Jamaican goalie Kevin Graham made a save on Sayid Freitas for a 6-5 penalty kicks victory.

Advancing into the semifinal stage of the FA along with Caledonia are W Connection, United Petrotrin, and Bmobile Joe Public after easing past their opponents on Monday night.

At the Ato Boldon Stadium a hattrick by Hughtun Hector and a goal each by Christian Viveros and Jose Carlos Diaz gave Connection a 5-1 win over Valtrin in the first match. And in the second match United Petrotrin registered a 3-1 over Siparia Spurs with Luis Andre Lima, Gary Glasgow and Kennedy Hinkson hitting the mark for the Oilmen.

Digicel Pro League champions Joe Public playing in the second clash at the Marvin Lee Stadium trashed the Joe Public Eastern Football Association team 6-0 led by Kerry Baptiste who registered a beavertrick. Defender Seon Powers and an own goal by Dinelvi Tinto had the other items.

The semifinal draw for the FA Trophy will be announced on Tuesday by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation.

The most competitive of clashes in the quarterfinal stage was Caledonia against Ma Pau SC in the first match at the Macoya venue. Caledonia started strong however failed to find the back of the net.

Match Play

Marcus Ambrose crashed an effort onto the crossbar in the 10th minute after meeting Akim Armstrong’s cross from the right which was just too high for a towering Randolph Jerome as Caledonia squeezed Ma Pau on the defensive.

Six minutes later Kareem Joseph was just high and wide as his curling effort from above the area missed the far corner.

Dwane James had a rare go at goal for Ma Pau in the 24th minute however his effort spilled just wide of Graham’s far upright before Ma Pau were back on the defensive.

They were rescued by a brilliant save when goalkeeper Shane Mattis pushed out Kendall Velox’s shot from above the area for a corner. Mattis denied Velox seconds later from the angle before his defence somehow managed to clear the ball after Caledonia attack.

But against the run of play Ma Pau stunned Caledonia for a 1-0 advantage in the 39th minute after a brilliant set-piece which ended with Dwane James at far post heading in Meikel Williams cross.

Ma Pau was awarded the freekick some 22 yards out after Velox clipped Rennie Britto from behind, and from a very unfamiliar set play Williams was fed inside the area after making a smart run on the left and whipping over a cross which found James who headed past goalkeeper Graham for the advantage.

Ma Pau had a much better showing in the closing stages of the first half causing a couple stirs for Caledonia when Anthony Wolfe had to be brought down by Nuru Abdallah Muhammed in the 34th minute and three minutes from the break he headed over from a deep cross.

Ma Pau failed to double their advantage in the 58th minute after goalscorer Dwane James struck the far upright and the rebound was spilled wide by Rennie Britto.

One minute later Caledonia failed to level the scores when Velox was fed a great cross from the left but the veteran attacker directed his shot at goalkeeper Shane Mattis who gathered comfortably.

And when the match looked set for a 1-0 score in favour of Ma Pau in injury time the forecast changed when midfielder Reshad Wint picked up a direct red card by referee Neil Brizan for a challenge on Kerry Daniel two minutes after coming off the bench.

Daniel who also made a his appearance in the second period then pulled the scores level 1-1 in injury time with a low shot from distance which slipped just inside the upright to beat a fully stretched Mattis to send the match into extra time.

But after 30 minutes of extra time both sides failed to net the winner forcing the match to be decided on penalties.

Caledonia AIA (6) 1—1 (5) Ma Pau SC
Dwane James 39’ ; Kerry Daniel 90’+

Penalties

Caledonia AIA (6)                  Ma Pau SC (5)
Randolph Jerome (scored)     Anthony Wolfe (scored)
Kareem Joseph (scored)        Shandel Samuel (scored)
Walter Moore (missed)          Lyndon Andrews (scored)
Stephan David(scored)          Curtis Gonzales (scored)
Kerry Daniel (scored)             Meikel Williams (missed)
Abdallah Phillips (scored)       Rennie Britto (scored)
Marcus Ambrose (scored)       Sayid Freitas (saved)                                 

Caledonia AIA—Kevin Graham, Charles Pollard (capt.), Stephan David, Kareem Joseph, Ryan Stewart, Nuru Abdallah Muhammed (Yellow), Walter Moore (Yelow), Marcus Ambrose, Kendall Velox (Kerry Daniel 64th), Randolph Jerome, Akim Armstrong (Akim Parris 73rd).

Coach—Jamal Shabaaz.

Ma Pau SC—Shane Mattis, Lyndon Andrews (capt.), Rennie Britto, Anthony Wolfe, Sayid Freitas, Kerry Noray (Aquil Selby) (Yellow), Curtis Gonzales (Yellow), Kevin Molino (Reshad Wint 88th) (Red), Meikel Williams, Dwane James, Trevin Caesar (Shandel Samuel 46th).

Coach—Michael McComie.

Full FA Trophy quarterfinal round results

Caledonia AIA (6) 1—1 (5) Ma Pau SC
Kerry Daniel 90’+ ; Dwane James 39’

Joe Public (EFA) 0—6 Joe Public (Pro League)
Kerry Baptiste 27’, 54’, 71’, 76’, Seon Powers 31’, Dinelvi Tinto 72’ (own goal)

Valtrin SC 1—5 W Connection
Nathan Lewis 41’ ; Hughtun Hector 2’, 30’, 86’ Christian Viveros 56’, Jose Diaz 79’

Siparia Spurs 1—3 United Petrotrin
Dave Collins 63’; Luis Lima 35’, Gary Glasgow 64’, Kennedy Hinkson 82’