T&TEC outshines Stars in season opener

Stars had a bright start when in the eight minute T&T defender Seon Power scored on debut for the Shurland David coached Sangre Grande outfit when his powerful back header sent Kevaughn Connell’s freekick past a fully stretched goalkeeper Clayton Ince for the early 1-0 advantage.

But T&TEC bounced back with first half goals by attacker Sylvester Teesdale and defender Anthony Noriega—both no strangers to the TT Pro League level having played with ex-clubs United Petrotrin and Joe Public respectively—to defeat North East Stars 2-1.

In the 13th minute Teesdale leveled the scores 1-1 when he showed his finishing touch to place a shot past Jamaican goalkeeper Leon Gordon after a neat sequence of passes from left wingback Corneal Thomas, to Kurlon Furguson who threaded through to Teesdale.

Moments later T&TEC and T&T U-23 player Marcus Joseph spilled overbar in what should have been T&TEC’s second item after he was played free on the right of the box by Kurlon Furguson.

And in the 20th minute, Gary Glasgow forced a low save out of goalkeeper Ince on the other end as packed Marvin Lee Stadium covered stands applauded entertaining football from the start.

Even T&T head coach German Otto Pfister and assistant coach Anton Corneal were present at the Macoya venue to witness the high intensity Round One Match Day One clash.

Ince was beaten two minutes later by Anthony Wolfe, however the T&T international’s delayed low effort crashed off the upright and the rebound item scored by Guevara was ruled offside to the T&TEC goalie’s delight.

And as it neared the halftime whistle, T&TEC took a 2-1 advantage in the 43rd minute when Noriega made an easy tap in goal after goalkeeper Gordon failed in an attempt to cut off Vurlon Mills free kick which was directed to Corneal Thomas inside the area.

North East head coach David responded with a double substitution following the break replacing midfielder Kendall Velox and striker Kaydion Gabriel with wingbacks Keryn Navarro and Glenton Wolfe.

Seven minutes after making his introduction Glenton Wolfe was denied by the upright when his powerful freekick from the edge of the penalty area crashed onto Ince’s upright and out for a goal-kick.

And on the other end T&TEC created a number of openings, just not finding the back of the net.

Midfielder Kelvin Modeste struck the upright in the 59th minute and in the 62nd minute, Teesdale spilled overbar with the goal at his mercy to the disappointment of the T&TEC supporters after another great buildup the Dexter Cyrus coached side.

Meantime the night continued to be a very unconvincing one for shaky Stars’ Jamaican import goalie Gordon in his first start in the Pro League.

Teesdale was wide again in the 73rd minute after taking loads of time to pick his spot, rifled his shot low and just wide of Leon’s far upright.

However in the end, T&TEC held on for the victory.

Round One Match Day One will continue on Saturday 10 September from 4pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium when W Connection hosts St. Ann’s Rangers.

While fixtures for Caledonia AIA against Defence Force, and Police FC against Adam’s Construction San Juan Jabloteh are to be rescheduled.

North East Stars 1 T&TEC FC 2
Seon Power 8 ; Sylvester Teesdale 13’, Anthony Noriega 43’   

North East Stars—Leon Gordon, Marc Leslie (capt.), Stephen Cruickshank, Akeil Guevara, Anthony Wolfe, Gary Glasgow (Kevin Jagdeosingh 80th), Charles Pollard (Yellow), Kaydion Gabriel (Glenton Wolfe 46th), Kendall Velox (Yellow) (Keryn Navarro 46th), Kevaughn Connell, Seon Power (Yellow).

Substitutes—Andrew Durant, Aaron Ali, Ishmael Daniel.

Coach—Shurland David.

T&TEC FC—Clayton Ince (capt.), Akeem Adams, Anthony Noreiga, Corneal Thomas, Sylvester Teesdale, Vurlon Mills (Andrei Pacheco 76th), Kevon Neaves, Kern Peters, Kerlon Furguson (Tigana Sparks 84th) (Yellow), Kevin Modeste, Marcus Joseph (Keeron Benito 60th).

Substitutes—Akini Adams, Brenton DeLeon, Javed Mohammed, Cebastian Bailey.

Coach—Dexter Cyrus.