Defence Force avoided embarrassment on Saturday, edging St Anthony's College 3-2 in first round FA Trophy action, at the Larry Gomes Stadium, in Malabar, Arima.
The Army had a few of their first team regulars on the bench, but called on reinforcements after a 1-1 half-time scoreline.
After falling behind 2-1 to the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) League and InterCol champions in the second period, Army finished strongly to earn their passage to the second round.
Army went ahead through Balondemu Julius in the 34th minute, but just before the break Ajani Clarence levelled for St Anthony's. The Westmoorings schoolboys got Army help for Garvin Samaroo to hand them the lead. But Richard Roy (66th) and Julius (78th) struck for Defence Force, earning their team a winning 3-2 advantage.
The "Tigers" were ambitious in their attacks against the defending Pro League champs, and could have gone ahead but for better finishing in the first half.
Julius, though, took advantage of a poor St Anthony's clearance, and Jahvon Neptune returned the ball into the area from the right flank for Julius to power home from close range.
Just before the half-time whistle the Tigers equalised on a quick counter-attack, Samaroo tearing down the left and delivering the perfect cross for Clarence to beat Army goalie Kevin Graham one-on-one.
Another Army mistake led to the second Tigers goal, in the 59th minute. Keane McIvor took the right side corner, which Graham completely missed, leaving Samaroo the easy tap-in from point blank range.
The Tigers seemed to be holding their own, until the power and pace of Army took over, and an unmarked Roy—who was introduced just after the resumption along with winger Kevon Carter to assure coach Ross Russell of a positive result—slammed home after a quick move down the right and pass from Carter.
The comeback was complete when Julius again blasted home from open space and close up.
With that goal, Defence Force averted disaster, but their overall display should give them some food for thought.
Caledonia, Defence Force advance to FA last 32.
T&T Guardian Reports.
Digicel T&T Pro League duo, Defence Force and Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA both advanced to the round-of-32 when the final two matches of the T&T Football Federation FA Trophy competition continued on Saturday.
However, while Caledonia coasted to a 4-1 win over Southern Football Association’s Uprising Youths, Defence Force was made to work hard for its 3-2 win over reigning National Secondary Schools Football League Big-Five and Inter-Col as well as North Zone double-crown winners St Anthony’s College.
Caledonia used goals from four different players to turn back Uprising Youths with Kareem Joseph (22nd), Trevin Caesar (25th), Guyana’s Walter Moore (41st) and Jamal Gay (56th) all on target before Kevon Nora pulled a goal back for the losers in the encounter at Techier Village, Pt Fortin. For its win, Caledonia set up a second round meeting with Eastern Football Association, table leaders’ 1st FC Santa Rosa on Sunday.
Defence Force, meanwhile needed a double from striker Balondemu Julius in their narrow victory over the “Tigers” at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar and will next meet Eastern Counties Football Union’s Mafeking United at Mafeking, also on Sunday.
Defence Force, playing on the heels of a 1-1 draw with T&TEC in the Pro League less than 24 hours earlier took the lead in the 34th minute with Julius on target.
However, the Tigers hit back just before the interval with Anjani Clarence the scorer and within ten minutes of the re-start, the “Tigers” stunned the Pro League’s defending champion with a go-ahead item from Garvin Samaroo after goalkeeper Kevin Barthez failed to collect a corner.
But the “Tigers” were denied the upset as recently capped national striker, Richard “Shaka” Roy drew the “Teteron Boys” level in the 66th minute before Julius, netted the decisive item 12 minutes from full-time.
In the two other first round matches played earlier in the week, WASA (Super League) came from a goal down to beat EFA’s Maloney 3-1 and Club Sando (Super League) thrashed ECFU’s Damarie Hill Re-United, 6-0. The last-32 round of matches kicks off on Saturday with eight matches while the other eight will be played on Sunday.
Caledonia, Defence Force move into FA second round.
ttproleague.com.
Caledonia AIA made easy of Uprising Youths with a 4-1 victory, while Defence Force registered a 3-2 win over St. Anthony’s College on Saturday to advance into the second round of the 2012 FA Trophy competition.
Caledonia led the way with a three goal advantage before the break with items by Kareem Joseph (22nd minute), Trevin Caesar (25th minute) and Walter Moore (41st minute) in the visit to the Techier Village, Point Fortin before Makesi Lewis made it 4-0 by the 56th minute.
Kevon Nrouse netted the lone item for the sinking Uprising in the 60th minute.
And up at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Defence Force starting with a second-string outfit got the opening item from Balondemu Julius in the 34th minute.
The highly motivated St. Anthony’s playing against Defence Force leveled the scores 1-1 just before the break and then took the lead early inside the second period with goals by Ajani Clarence (44th minute) and Garvin Samaroo (51st minute).
The Soldiers didn’t buckle and bounced back with substitute Richard Roy leveling the scores 2-2 in the 66th minute and Julius completing his double in the 78th minute for the 3-2 win.
Defence Force advances into the second round against Mafeking United on Sunday 5 February at the Mafeking Recreation Ground from 3:30pm, while Caledonia is scheduled to take on FC Santa Rosa on Sunday 12 February.
Defence Force line-up—Kevin Graham, Corey Rivers (capt.), Devin Jordan, Keston Williams, Aklie Edwards, Curtis Gonzales, Anton Joseph (Kevon Carter), Michael Edwards (Richard Roy), Javon Neptune (Sterling O’Brien), Balondemu Julius, Jerwyn Balthazar.
2012 FA Trophy Round One results
Saturday 28 January
Uprising Youths 1—4 Caledonia AIA
Kevon Nrouse 60’ ; Kareem Joseph 22’, Trevin Caesar 25’, Walter Moore 41’, Makesi Lewis 56’
Defence Force 3—2 St. Anthony’s College
Balondemu Julius 34’, 78’, Richard Roy 66’ ; Ajani Clarence 44’, Garvin Samaroo 51’
Tuesday 24 January
FC Maloney 1—3 WASA (SL)
Israel Honore 20’ ; Glen Walker 36’, 61’, Shane Calderon 80’
Club Sando 6—0 Damerie Hill Reunited
Trevor Mitchell 40’, Andy London 56’, 62’, 70’, 86’, Keron Brooks 90’
Upcoming Matches
Round Two
Saturday 04 February
Dwight Yorke Stadium
Scarborough Secondary vs 1976 Phoenix(Tobago)—4pm
1976 Phoenix(SL) vs Club Sando—6pm
Gilbert Park
Caroni Samba vs Stokely Vale FC—3:30pm
Ato Boldon Stadium
Carapichima East Secondary vs OJ’s Solado—3:30pm
Queen’s Park Oval
QPCC vs WASA FC (SL)—3:30pm
Palo Seco
T&TEC FC (SFA) vs Clint Marcelle Coaching School—5pm
La Savan (New Lands)
Guaya United vs Harlem Strikers—3:30pm
Sunday 05 February
WASA Ground
WASA FC (EFA) vs St. Ann’s Rangers—5pm
El Dorado Secondary
El Dorado Secondary vs San Juan Jabloteh—3:30pm
Marvin Lee Stadium
North East Stars vs Dalthea Football Academy—3:30pm
Ato Boldon Stadium Training Ground
W Connection vs K.C. Perseverance—3:30pm
Queen’s Park Savannah
St. Francois Nationals vs T&TEC FC—3:30pm
Palo Seco
Police FC vs Youth Stars—5pm
Mafeking Recreation Ground
Mafeking United vs Defence Force—3:30pm
Sunday 12 February
Caledonia AIA vs FC Santa Rosa.