Thane Devenish proved he knows a thing or two, actually three, about scoring against goalkeepers — being a goalie himself — by netting a hat-trick to steer hosts San Juan Jabloteh to a 4-1 win over rivals W Connection in the Under-13 division of the 2019 Youth Pro League on Sunday.
Star forward Lindell Sween notched his third goal from two games after blowing past two defenders to put coach Keith Jeffrey’s bunch ahead in the 13th minute, before Devenish celebrated his first on 34 minutes at San Juan North Secondary School Ground.
Jeffrey pointed out that Devenish was used as an outfield player because of his speed against top rival Connection. Devenish later struck a quick-fire double (41st & 42nd minutes) with the last a cross-cum-shot that left Connection goalie Aidan Raymond reeling into his net.
Aidan’s brother, Aaron, a pint-sized Connection forward with a big heart for the game as teammates Josiah Barrow and Camron Burke, later saw his effort from the spot crash off the upright after winning the penalty.
It was, however, an own goal that saw Jabloteh U13s concede their first of the campaign when in the 64th minute defender Ability Hazel’s back pass beat goalkeeper Joshua Gonzales to credit a goal to the visitors.
Jeffrey, afterwards, was happy for the win, but the Jabloteh technical director felt his players showed nervousness against Connection.
Jeffrey, who also serves as the club’s first team coach, believes the YPL is tougher this time around especially as habitual champions with “teams coming after Jabloteh” to give it their best.
Jabloteh went on to defeat Connection 3-1 in the Under-15 division with a goal each from Jordan Ferguson (5’), Venezuelan Carlos Torrealba (10’) and Nkosi Ambrose (55’) before Maliki Clement (79’) pulled one back for Connection.
Jabloteh, however, were held to a 1-1 draw by the visiting “Savonetta Boys” in the Under-17 division.
Jarique Williams, Jabloteh’s U17 captain, drove home a 30-yard free kick which escaped the towering figure of Connection ‘keeper of Isaiah Williams to put the hosts in front after just three minutes.
But half hour later Jabari Lee for his third goal of the campaign levelled Connection from the penalty spot – sending the ball down the middle past goalkeeper Kahlil Oliver – after he drew a foul from Trent Weekes.
Connection took over the game for long periods but frustration overflowed near the final whistle with Joshton Thomas issuing a red card to Jabloteh’s Jean Marc Williams and the Tushawn Lawson of the visiting team.
Elsewhere, a second-half double from Michael John (41’ & 65’) and an item each from Elijah Wong (5’), Thomas Decle (50’) and Jonas Schjolberg (67’) saw Central U13s rebound from their opening loss against Jabloteh to defeat host Terminix La Horquetta Rangers 5-0 at Larry Gomes Stadium.
Central also walked away 2-0 winners in the U17 division after Rangers took full points by default in the U15 age group.
And down in the “Gallows”, Fyzabad, Police FC stunned Club Sando 3-0 in the U17 division after losing 3-0 in the U13 division and winning 2-0 in the U15 thanks to a goal each from Abdul-Quddoos Hypolite (11’) and Jovonn Gomes (52’).
In the U17 age group, an own goal by Joshua Cooper put Police ahead in the 10th minute before a Dwight Jordan (40’ & 48’) double put the match out of Sando’s reach.
Sando will look to bounce back when they welcome Point Fortin Civic next Sunday at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium while Police host Central FC. Other matchups include Morvant Caledonia United against Jabloteh, North East Stars against Defence Force FC and Connection to host Rangers.
Youth Pro League 2019
Match Day Two Results (March 24, 2019)
Under-13 Division
Police FC 0 vs Club Sando 3 (Chad Ragbir 18’, Adriano Murray 59’ pen., Leonel Linares 67’), at Delhi Road Recreation Ground, Fyzabad;
Terminix La Horquetta Rangers 0 vs Central FC 5 (Elijah Wong 5’, Michael John 41’, 65’, Thomas Decle 50’, Jonas Schjolberg 67’), at Larry Gomes Stadium;
San Juan Jabloteh 4 (Lindell Sween 13’, Thane Devenish 34’, 41’, 42’) vs W Connection 1 (Ability Hazel 64’ Own Goal), at San Juan North Secondary;
Morvant Caledonia United 3 vs North East Stars 0
Morvant Caledonia won by default;
Defence Force FC 0 vs Point Fortin Civic 3
Civic won by default.
Under-15 Division
Police FC 2 (Abdul-Quddoos Hypolite 11’, Jovonn Gomes 52’) vs Club Sando 0, at Delhi Road Recreation Ground, Fyzabad;
San Juan Jabloteh 3 (Jordan Ferguson 5’, Carlos Eduardo Torrealba Pereira 10’, Nkosi Ambrose 55’) vs W Connection 1 (Maliki Clement 79’), at San Juan North Secondary;
Terminix La Horquetta Rangers 3 vs Central FC 0
Rangers won by default;
Morvant Caledonia United 3 vs North East Stars 0
Morvant Caledonia won by default;
Defence Force FC 0 vs Point Fortin Civic 3
Civic won by default.
Under-17 Division
Police FC 3 (Own Goal Joshua Cooper 10’, Dwight Jordan 40’, 48’) vs Club Sando 0, at Delhi Road Recreation Ground, Fyzabad;
Terminix La Horquetta Rangers 0 vs Central FC 2 (Malik Robinson 8’, Ivan Dos Santos 54’), at Larry Gomes Stadium;
San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Jarique Williams 3’) vs W Connection 1 (Jabari Lee 33’ pen.), at San Juan North Secondary;
Morvant Caledonia United 3 vs North East Stars 0
Morvant Caledonia won by default;
Defence Force FC 0 vs Point Fortin Civic 3
Civic won by default.