CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh rising star Lester Peltier scored two first half goals to lead Trinidad and Tobago under-20 team to a 4-0 victory over Barbados under-20 at the Hasley Crawford Stadium, P.O.S. on Wednesday.
The ‘Young Warriors’ had Barbados chasing the game from the first whistle with Vibe CT 105 W Connection’s Matthew Bartholomew and Jabloteh’s Lester Peltier pairing off well in front.
Peltier had a couple of early attempts that went narrowly wide before the 28th minute when Matthew Bartholomew raced down the right flank past Barbados’ Jason Mounter and sent a low cross in the 18 yard area. The speedy player Peltier did well to get to the ball first and slammed it into the roof of the net giving Trinidad and Tobago a 1-0 lead.
Peltier continued his quest for more goals and came close in the 33rd minute when he scrambled across to meet a Dion Peters cross just to the left of the 6 yard box, only to knock it directly into the hands of Barbados goal keeper Omari Eastmond.
Connection’s Bartholomew went for goal a minute later, but his low shot slipped through the hands of goal keeper Eastmond and Jabloteh’s star of the moment Peltier was on hand for an easy tap in, the young T&T team leading 2-0.
One of the ‘Bajans’ rare attacks came in the 38th minute when Lionel Paul facing the ‘Warriors’ net, skied Jason Goodridge’s well worked cross over the bar.
Jabloteh’s Peltier then showed off his pace and dribbling skills when he burst down the left flank past Paul Alexander and sent a cross into the penalty area when Connection’s Bartholomew only met the ball with his hand – referee Lee Davis took no time in awarding him a yellow card just before the interval.
Trinidad and Tobago came out in same attacking style and in the second half, in minute 49 W Connection’s Devon Drayton rose well to meet Petrotrin’s Keon Daniel cross only to glance it wide of goal keeper Eastman’s upright.
The ‘Bajans’ looking a bit more competitive in the second half with players like Jamal Watson and Malcom Marshall worked numerous passes in midfield.
In the 60th minute Jason Goodridge showed a lot of pace and outran the ‘Warriors’ defence to get a shot on goal but substitute goal keeper Adrian Foncette did to get down on his knees for the save.
In the 70th minute Trinidad and Tobago looked destined for another goal when Lester Peltier crossed to Bartholomew and the hard working captain failed to put his header on target after a great build-up from midfield. Peltier was then rested and San Juan Jabloteh’s Elton John made his entrance in the 70th minute.
The young ‘Soca Warriors’ added a third goal in the 79th minute when W Connection’s Aaron Downing sprung into the air to volley a cross by Superstar Rangers’ Christon Thomas who came on as a half time substitute.
In the 80th minute coach Brian Williams decided to rest captain Matthew Bartholomew and replaced him with Hans Pierre.
Trinidad and Tobago wrapped things up in the 89th minute when Aaron Downing and Christon Thomas connected a couple of passes and passing to substitute Attulah Guerra who easily beat one defender and went around goal keeper Kareem Farrel and started celebrating while walking the ball into the net—the final score of 4-0.
The ‘Bajans’ then had a consolation chance in the 90th minute when a host of players tried to get a shot on goal from Trinidad and Tobago’s penalty area but failed after goalkeeper Foncette spilled substitute Michael Young’s late shot.
Teams
Trinidad and Tobago – Leston Shade (Adrian Foncette 46th), Jamal Wiggins (Christon Thomas 46th), Marvin James, Corneal Thomas, Devon Drayton, Khaleem Hyland, Dion Peters (Atullah Guerra 46th), Keon Daniel, Aaron Downing, Matthew Bartholomew (Hans Pierre 80th), Lester Peltier (Elton John 70th).
Coach – Brian Williams
Barbados – Omari Eastmond (Kereem Farrell 68th), Shane Hinkson, Jamar Sargeant, Paul Alexander, Jamar Watson, Jason Goodridge, Renaldo Gilkes, Malcom Marshall (Michael Young 68th), Jermaine Boyce, Lionel Paul (Shane Callender 68th), Jason Monter. (Andre Layne, Jermaine Caesar 46th).
Coach – Kenville Layne
Match Referee – Lee Davis (Trinidad and Tobago)
Trinidad & Tobago v Barbados
4 GOALS 0
1 YELLOW CARDS 1
0 RED CARDS 0
8 SHOTS ON TARGET 5
15 FOULS 6
9 CORNERS 3
4 OFFSIDES 0.