Ex-employees Kevin Jagdeosingh and Ryan Stewart served as spokes in the wheels of North East Stars on Sunday, on a very sloppy Guayaguayare Secondary School Ground surface, as Guaya United defeated the defending Toyota Classic champions 2-0 in the 2013 preliminary round.
Jagdeosingh, also the brother of ex-Stars forward and Trinidad and Tobago footballer, Kendall Jagdeosingh, scored on either side of the half to send the Ron La Forest coached-Super League outfit into the quarter-final round.
While Stewart, a former Caledonia and Stars standout, was the general in midfield for Guaya, which also had other former Pro Leaguers as Beville Joseph, Carlon Hughes and John Stewart in its starting line-up.
Guaya advances to meet second positioned Digicel Pro League club Point Fortin Civic, which defeated Super League side, Stokely Vale, 11-0 in their preliminary round clash on Saturday at the Mahaica Oval.
Other quarter-final fixtures include: Caledonia AIA against Super League leaders Club Sando, recently crowned First Citizens Cup champions Central FC against Defence Force—their third meeting this season—and two-time Toyota Classic champions DIRECTV W Connection against Malabar FC.
Jagdeosingh, headed Guaya in front in the 22nd minute, after meeting a hard-worked Hughes cross which goalkeeper Cleon John only managed to touch onto the crossbar.
And in the 59th minute, Jagdeosingh doubled Guaya’s advantage when he directed in a cross from the left—in what a couple onlookers deemed a “Hand of God” item.
However in clear view, assistant referee Marvin Pierre didn’t object to the item.
Pierre was undisturbed in another incident, five minutes before the break, when Anthony Wolfe pleaded for a foul after going down inside the area against a John Stewart tackle.
But everything, including a fierce Guayaguayare crowd, a sloppy surface—because of constant rainfall during the day—and a motivated opponent were all against the visiting Sangre Grande club.
Stars also had themselves to blame despite failing to find footing on the eventually muddy surface.
Less than a minute into the contest, speedy Stars’ forward, Trevin Caesar—the most dangerous on the day—was denied by goalkeeper Kevon Saunders.
Guaya responded in the 9th minute when Earlon Thomas headed a dangerous Ryan Stewart free-kick just wide, and in the 11th minute Jagdeosingh had a crack high over bar.
Saunders was also a hero for Guaya, pulling off two excellent saves to deny Caesar before the break and preserve his side’s advantage.
Caesar, who struck wide of the upright in the 38th minute, showed his electrifying speed down the middle on a counter-attack in the 44th minute, blowing past two defenders but Saunders, quickly off his line, made a blockout.
A minute later, Saunders was forced into action and produced another save against the Tobagonian forward.
Caesar wasn’t done trying, but just couldn’t hit the target as Guaya defended with everything.
The former T&T Under 23 forward, who has been called up by T&T Senior Team coach Stephen Hart for the “Warriors” second leg friendly against Jamaica on November 19 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, struck the side netting in the 68th minute after he was set free by a Kennedy Hinkson throughball.
Hinkson found Caesar again in the 87th minute with a right side cross, but the Tobagonian struck wide again.
And 17 minutes earlier Anthony Wolfe was denied by the crossbar after meeting a Hinkson cross with a header.
Three minutes stoppage time played by referee Gordon Maloney didn’t do the Sangre Grande club, which survived a Ryan Stewart free-kick in the 87th minute, much favours.
2013 Toyota Classic Full Preliminary Round Results
W Connection 2—0 Real Maracas
Hashim Arcia (23’), Yhon Lopez (51’)
Club Sando 3—1 Police FC
Teba McKnight (38’), (48’), Nigel Daniel (76’) ; Todd Ryan (24’)
1976 FC Phoenix 0—3 Defence Force
Jemel Seabro (29’), Richard Roy (54’), (64’)
Caledonia AIA 3—0 St. Ann’s Rangers
Noel Williams (4’), Marcus Ambrose, (72’) Kithson Bain (79’)
Saturday 9 November
Central FC 3—0 Joe Public
Dwight Pope (5’), Dwight Quintero (63’), Rundell Winchester (67’)
Malabar FC 4—3 San Juan Jabloteh
Own goal (33’), Gorian Highley (52’), (61’), (85’) ; Kerry Baptiste (9’), Rennie Britto (21’), (35’)
Point Fortin Civic 11—0 Stokely Vale
Weslie John (24’), Marcus Joseph (36’), (40’), (44’), André Toussaint (43’), Kelvin Modeste (45’), Matthew Bartholomew (50’), (57’), André Alexis (63’), (82’), Andraie Pacheco (70’)
Sunday 10 November
Guayaguayare United 2—0 North East Stars
Kevin Jagdeosingh (22'), (59') ;
Teams
Guaya United—1. Kevon Saunders, 17. Ryan Stewart (capt.), 4. Kevin Jagdeosingh, 5. John Stewart, 7. Jody Allsop (70. Kheelon Ferrier 81st), 9. Earlon Thomas, 10. Carlon Hughes, 14. Sherlon Campbell, 18. Leston Paul, 19. Beville Joseph (Yellow Card), 77. Leroy Jones
Unused substitutes—80. Marius Des-Cartes (GK), 2. Marcus Ramkhelawan, 3. Akeil Alvarez, 6. Zavion Navarro, 8. Kerdell Alfred, 27. Kheelon Mitchell
Coach—Ron La Forest
North East Stars—22. Cleon John (capt.), 5. Aquil Selby (Yellow Card), 6. Jeromie Williams, 9. Akiel Guevara (7. Elijah Manners 62nd), 11. Anthony Wolfe, 12. Jason Joseph, 18. Kaashif Thomas (2. Kareem Moses 62nd), 19. Glenton Wolfe, 20. Trevin Caesar, 23. Kennedy Hinkson, 25. Keryn Navarro (3. Kevon Villaroel 81st)
Unused substitutes—1. Stefan Berkeley (GK), 4. Keithy Simpson, 16. Neil Mitchell, 47. Andrew Smith
Coach—Angus Eve