Johan Peltier grabbed a beaver-trick, while Rundell Winchester claimed a brace in a sensational 8-0 win for newly crowned three-peat Digicel Pro League champions Central FC as they made light work of St. Ann's Rangers in their quarter-final clash of the Digicel Pro Bowl on Wednesday night.
Police FC also advanced out of Wednesday's quarter-final double-header by defeating W Connection—for the first time in coach Richard Hood’s era—3-2 on penalties following a fierce 1-1 draw in the second game.
Connection had taken the lead on 20 minutes through a fine strike by midfielder Hughtun Hector, but four minutes from time substitute Christon Thomas equalized for Police to send the game into kicks from the spot.
Thomas, Niquan Caruth and Dexter Alleyne were clinical from the spot as Hood’s Lawmen proved to be the sharper of the shooters as only Connection substitutes Kevon Goddard and Malik St. Prix found the back of the net for the Savonetta Boys.
Police will face either San Juan Jabloteh or Pro Bowl holders Defence Force in the semi-final round on Sunday, while Central are against either Ma Pau Stars or Club Sando—which will be decided in today's (Thursday) quarter-final day two double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
Sean De Silva put Central ahead on 28 minutes when he converted from the penalty spot—beating goalkeeper Cleon John, who was at full stretch—after Winchester was bulldozed to ground in the area by Rangers captain and defender Devon Modeste.
Winchester, who failed to capitalize on two earlier chances, finally had name on the scoresheet from close up to make it 2-0 in the 31st minute but trashed another two attempts before the break.
However a wonderful solo goal by Johan Peltier two minutes from the break saw the Couva Sharks head in with a 3-0 lead.
Central’s command on the lopsided game continued in the second half, and coach Dale Saunders had five more items to celebrate.
Winchester made it 4-0 in the 52nd-minute with a simple tap in to complete his double – on a night he should have had at least six goals to his name – after goalkeeper John was only able to parry a Darren Mitchell across the face of goal.
John's nightmare seemed never-ending as his defence continuously failed him. Not to ignore that Rangers are a side that only finished three spots off the bottom of the 10-team Pro League standings, while Central are champions a third consecutive time.
And, the Couva Sharks continued to prove their superiority by adding four more goals.
Keron Cummings made it 5-0 in the 68th-minute when he swooped in to bury a rebound after John had made a block-out on a Winchester effort.
Rangers were then awarded a penalty for handball but Jan-Michael Williams, who had brilliantly tipped over an early attempt by Kyle Bartholomew, superbly measured Jameel Antoine’s attempt from the penalty spot in the 77th-minute.
Peltier then completely stole the show netting in the 80th, 83rd and 88th minutes to end with four to his name and a convincing 8-0 win for the Couva Sharks.
Peltier's second came with a powerful header past John off a left side De Silva corner, and his third when he wrong-sided the Rangers goalie from the penalty spot after Kaydion Gabriel was brought down by Shakiyl Phillip.
But it was Peltier’s volley off substitute Derron John's cross that spectacularly sealed the 8-0 result.
Connection too, could have had a goal of the tournament contender, had there been such a prize category. And had Kurt Frederick blast on a counter-attack not cannon off the bar in the 37th-minute against Police, who reached the quarter-finals by crushing Point Fortin Civic 9-0 a week ago in the qualifying round.
It was one of the many electrifying moments that including a 51st-minute rocket by Elijah Belgrave that was matched by Connection goalkeeper Julani Archibald, who later produced a save on penalty kicks.
However there was little for Archibald after he and his defence went into chaos mode when allowing a squared Jibri Mc David pass to find the boot of Thomas, who pulled Police level in the 86th-minute.
Connection had the best effort in an attempt to settle the outcome before kicks, but Police goalkeeper Adrian Foncette made a fine save to put overbar an effort from St. Prix deep into stoppage-time.
Quarter Final - Results
Central FC 8 (Sean De Silva 28’ penalty, Rundell Winchester 31’, 52’, Johan Peltier 43’, 80’, 83’ penalty, 88’, Keron Cummings 68’) vs St. Ann’s Rangers 0 (A), at Ato Boldon Stadium;
W Connection 1 (2) (Hughtun Hector 20’) vs Police FC 1 (3) (Christon Thomas 86) (B), at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
Police FC won the game 3-2 on kicks from the penalty spot.
Kicks from the penalty spot
Police FC 3 v W Connection 2
Todd Ryan (post) Hughtun Hector (over)
Niquan Caruth (scored) Kevon Goddard (scored)
Kareem Perry (saved) Kurt Frederick (post)
Christon Thomas (scored) Malik St. Prix (scored)
Dexter Alleyne (scored) Gerard Williams (post)
Teams
Central FC: 21.Jan-Michael Williams (GK), 3.Keion Goodridge (Yellow Card), 5.Keston George, 8.Sean De Silva, 10.Keron Cummings, 11.Darren Mitchell (Capt.) (27.Derron John 56th minute) (Yellow Card), 12.Kishun Seecharan (45.Tyrik John 72nd minute), 15.Kaydion Gabriel, 17.Johan Peltier, 33.Julius James (Yellow Card) (18.Rhondel Paul 72nd minute), 77.Rundell Winchester.
Unused substitutes: 30.Akel Clarke (GK), 6.Leston Paul, 7.Jason Marcano, 29.Jabari Casaquero.
Coach: Dale Saunders
St. Ann’s Rangers: 1.Cleon John (GK), 7.Sedale Mc Lean, 8.Jameel Antoine, 10.Devon Modeste (Capt.), 11.Kazim Donald (9.Jomoul Francois 60th minute), 14.Kyle Bartholomew, 24.Jesse Williams, 27.Che Benny (29.Keshawn Hutchinson 75th minute), 28.Shakiyl Phillip, 32.Marvin Lee, 33.Osaze Springer (16.Richard Williams 60th minute).
Unused substitutes: 22.Christopher Biggette (GK), 30.Lester Durham, 34.Angelo Burgess.
Coach: Anthony Streete
Referee: Rashby Mc Phie
Teams
W Connection: 18.Julani Archibald (GK), 2.Kurt Frederick, 3.Gerard Williams, 4.Maurice Ford, 8.Briel Thomas (23.Kevon Goddard 44th minute), 10.Dimitrie Apai, 11.Neil Benjamin Jr. (43.Malik St. Prix 76th minute), 13.Hughtun Hector (Capt.), 20.Jamal Charles (5.Triston Hodge 46th minute), 30.Shaquille John, 35.Jesus Perez.
Unused substitutes: 1.Terrence Lewis (GK), 21.Ronell Paul, 26.Shaquille Bertrand, 46.Anfernee Frederick.
Coach: Stuart Charles-Fevrier
Police FC: 18.Adrian Foncette (GK), 5.Anton Hutchinson, 6.Jibri Mc David (Yellow Card), 10.Kareem Freitas, 12.Kadeem Riley (19.Christon Thomas 46th minute), 15.Jameel Perry, 17.Dexter Alleyne, 20.Elijah Belgrave (23.Micah Lewis 79th minute), 21.Todd Ryan (Capt.), 25.Kenaz Williams (7.Kareem Perry 75th minute), 38.Nequan Caruth.
Unused substitutes: 22.Theon Browne (GK), 3.Ryan O’Neil, 13.Dillon Kirton, 24.Keeron Benito.
Coach: Richard Hood
Referee: Cecile Hinds