Army whip Police, Stars shine, Caledonia shake off Rangers

Jorsling notched a double while Carter got one to his name guiding the Ross Russell coached side to maximum points in Round One Match Day One.

Meantime, Police debut coach and former goalkeeper Anthony Marshall received a three-goal learning lesson.

Jorsling had the soldiers up 1-0 in the 17th minute after stretching in at far post to guide Carter’s cross into the back of the net beating a hapless Adisa Noel.

Army veteran defender Keston Williams was later denied by Noel in the 42nd minute, and just before the half Jorsling was inches wide with a dipping free kick from 24 yards out.

Defence Force then put the match further away from Police when Carter out-ran the lawmen defence to pick up a long ball, and easily slotted it past goalkeeper Noel for a 2-0  cushion four minutes into the second period.

Noel then pulled off a fine save in the 56th minute palming away Jorsling´s attempt from the left but couldn’t do the same ten minutes later.

Jorsling chipped in his second item and Defence Force’s third in the 66th minute as the soldiers enjoyed a 3-0 score.

Defence Force were forced to replace hardworking midfielder Kerry Joseph with Anton Joseph in the 74th minute after (Kerry) picked up an injury to the head when he clashed with a Police player and had to be carried off by ambulance.

This however didn’t sour Defence Force in the closing stages, but the crossbar did a few minutes before the fulltime whistle when Jorsling’s effort slammed onto the bar and back into play as Police survived another item.

Defence Force 3—0 Police FC
Devon Jorsling 17', 66', Kevon Carter 49'

TEAMS

Defence Force—Kevin Graham, Corey Rivers (capt) (Yellow), Devin Jordon, Devon Jorsling, Kevon Carter, Keston Williams (Yellow), Jerwyn Balthazar (Richard Roy 68th), Dexter Pacheco (Anton Pierre 82nd), Kerry Joseph (Anton Joseph 74th), Sean Narcis, Aklie Edwards.

Coach—Ross Russell

Police FC—Adisa Noel, Randy Harris (capt), Keon Quow (Ricardo Peltier 60th), Akeem Marshall (Alexander Bruno 60th), Kelon Williams (Adrian Nunez 64th), Akiba Peters, Anton Elliot, Neil Marcano, Keston Pierre, Todd Ryan, Keron Clarke.

Coach—Anthony Marshall

Caledonia shake off Rangers 4-2

Debutants star for Caledonia AIA in their 4-2 victory over St. Ann’s Rangers on Saturday night at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Round One Match Day One of the 2010 Digicel Pro League Championship.

Guyanese Shawn Beveney, Daneil Cyrus, Sherron Joseph and Hayden Vincent all got their names to the score sheet in their debut with the Morvant/Laventille club’s 4-2 victory over the St. Ann’s boys.

Rangers looked a very formidable bunch in the opening periods sending Caledonia goalkeeper Kevin Graham into action very early forcing the Jamaican to blockout a decent strike by Josimar Belgrave in the 3rd minute.

Graham had to pull off another fine save in the 24th minute denying former Caledonia player Odelle Armstrong's effort from the edge of the area.

However the “Cale” goalie couldn't do the same in the 29th minute when Odelle Armstrong headed in from inside the six yard area after Beville Joseph headed across the face of goal from a corner, to gain a 1-0 advantage for Coach Anthony Streete’s side.

Caledonia took a while before settling into their game against some neat passing by Rangers with Adrian Narine orchestrating things from the middle.

Caledonia then finally equalized in the 36th minute when Beveney made a solo run down the left and into the area to slam a low shot past Daurance Williams at first post for a 1-1 score.

The Morvant/Laventille club then took a 2-1 advantage three minutes before the half when Daneil Cyrus met Sherron Joseph’s cross from the right with a half volley beating Williams.

In the second period, Caledonia enjoyed  better exchanges despite Narine holding firm in midfield for Rangers, and using the pace of Devon Modest and Josimar Belgrave down the flanks.

Goalscorer Cyrus missed out on his double later on hitting the cross bar from outside the area.

However, Rangers weren’t as lucky in the 60th minute when Sherron Joseph—younger brother of wingback Kareem Joseph—showed some neat skill sending the entire defence in one direction while turning to the other before shooting past Williams for Caledonia’s third item, and a 3-1 score in his side’s favour.

Caledonia then added another in the 72nd minute when substitute Hayden Vincent showed some great pace to run onto a long pass by Densill Theobald and control on the thigh before shooting into Williams’ far corner for a 4-1 scoreline.

Caledonia attacking wingback Walter Moore later tested Williams with a beautiful left-footed strike in which the Rangers debutant matched the inswinging effort with a great save.

Rangers didn’t collapse and reduced the deficit 4-2 when Josimar Belgrave smashed a shot onto the crossbar, and  into the net after Devon Modeste’s attempted control guided the ball into his teammate’s path at the back post in the 82nd minute.

Caledonia was inches off another item close to the end when Beveney crashed a curling effort from the top of the area onto the crossbar. But, it was all smiles for coach Shabazz who applauded his charges for the opening victory.

St. Ann’s Rangers 2—4 Caledonia AIA
Odelle Armstrong 29’, Josimar Belgrave 82'; Shawn Beveney 36’, Daneil Cyrus 42’, Sherron Joseph 60', Hayden Vincent 72'

TEAMS

St Ann's Rangers—Daurance Williams, Devon Modeste (capt), Elijah Belgrave, Javon Wilson, Beville Joseph, Josimar Belgrave (Yellow), Al-Vaughn Downes (Nicholas Valentine), Odelle Armstrong (Kaashif Thomas), Joseph Peters, Adrian Narine, Akil Clarke.

Coach—Anthony Street

Caledonia AIA—Kevin Graham, Stephan David (capt), Nuru Muhammed, Sherron Joseph (Jean-Luc Rochford), Ryan Stewart (Hayden Vincent), Kareem Joseph, Shawn Beveney, Walter Moore, Daneil Cyrus, Densill Theobald (Abdallah Phillip), Ishmael Daniel.

N/E Stars shine against South End.
North East Stars Press Release.

DIRECTV North East Stars kicked off their 2010 Digicel Pro League campaign with a competent 3-0 victory over F.C. South End on Saturday at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.

Despite the disappointing attendance, the spectators were treated to an intriguing match where decisive finishing settled the game. The game begun, as you would expect of two teams making their first outing, with a battle for midfield dominance.

After the initial 15 minutes of skirmish, the Stars midfield trio of Fitzpatrick, Dwarika and Devonish began to make their presence felt.

With Marc Leslie in the holding role in front of central defenders Brent Sancho and Charles Pollard, it looked like the only way through for FC South End was down the flanks, where most attacks fizzled out, due to the constant closing down by wing backs Glenton Wolfe and Carey Harris.

Meanwhile, North East Stars striking duo of Jamaican, Sean Fraser and Errol McFarlane caused havoc with the South End defence.

The strikers constantly switched, forcing the South End defence to lose shape, creating space for Devonish and Dwarika to exploit. Fraser's darting runs covered all areas around the South End 18 yard box, one minute striking through the middle, the next out wide, where he forced several free kicks.

Devonish also made his physical presence felt, and together with Dwarika, who thundered a shot against the post, continued to test the oppositions defensive prowess.

Combined with several forays by team captain, Fitzpatrick, it was only a matter of time before the deadline was broken. The goal, when it came, was a result of consistent pressure rather than flair, however, McFarlane's reputation as a "fox in the box" was continued as he pounced on a loose ball from 5 yards to put the Stars in the lead.

Shortly after, Stars goalkeeper Michael Woods was shaken from his spectator role when South End launched their best attacking move of the match, when some quality pass and move football saw the South End strikers two against one with the Stars defender, Sancho.

Unfortunately, the final pass wasn't perfect and with Sancho pressing down, the shot missed an open goal.

The second half continued in much the same style with North East containing and pushing forward, while the South End midfield battled to regain control. However, on the 55th minute, Stars keeper Woods was forced to make a superb save from a South End header. This may well have proved the turning point in the game, as North East saw this as a signal to up their game.

The introduction of Akiel Guevara for Devonish added a more attacking option for the Stars. Following the North Easts'  best move of the game, which began with a pinpoint pass out of defence by Sancho and some electric midfield passing, McFarlane rose high above the Southend defence to head a powerful Gary Glasgow cross into the top corner of the net.

Fitness then became a factor as the South End players, forced to work harder to chase the game, began to tire, with several being treated for cramp. McFarlane had a wonderful chance to complete his hat trick in a carbon copy of South End's first half attack.

Instead of shooting from an angle 12 yards out, McFarlane unselfishly squared the ball to strike partner Fraser, who's shot failed to hit the target. The Jamaican soon made amends, however, by slotting home the third goal to crown a competent debut performance, leaving the match to end with a comfortable 3-0 result for North East.

DIRECTV North East Stars next match is vs Police at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella on Saturday 1st May at 7pm which follows the 5pm kick off of F.C. South End v Tobago in a Digicel Pro League double header.

FC South End 0—3 North East Stars
Errol McFarlane 33’, 73’, Sean Frazer 89’

Team

North East Stars - Michael Woods; Glenton Wolfe, Brent Sancho, Charles Pollard, Carey Harris; Leslie Fitzpatrick (capt), Arnold Dwarika, Jason Devonish (Akeil Guevara), Marc Leslie; Sean Fraser, Errol McFarlane.