Ato Boldon Stadium, COUVA – Jamille Boatswain scored three times on Saturday night as Point Fortin Civic eliminated Super League powerhouse WASA FC 4-0 in semi-final two of the 2014 Toyota Classic to set up a meeting with former winners Play Whe San Juan Jabloteh in the Final on December 12.
Boatswain netted in the 10th, 54th and 90th minutes, scoring against former Trinidad and Tobago youth goalkeeper Glenroy Samuel, with his hat-trick only interrupted by a 69th minute goal from teammate Garyl Doldron, to bring to an end, WASA’s surprise journey in the tournament, and in the process, book Civic’s first Final under the Pro League.
Earlier, Jabloteh, winners in 2008 and runners-up in 2005, 2007 and 2009, topped 10-man Police FC 4-3 on kicks from the penalty spot in semi-final one but not after surviving thrilling 2-2 draw against a resilient performance by the “Lawmen”.
Police team captain, Todd Ryan, who was later truly missed on kicks from the penalty spot, was ejected from the match just 11 minute inside after picking up successive yellow cards from referee Cecil Hinds for abusive language.
But that didn’t nullify the entertainment that was to follow as coach Richard Hood’s “Lawmen” produced a performance that was just shy of sending them through to a second Final this year.
Police, last season’s defeated 2014 Digicel Pro Bowl finalists, were denied by the crossbar in the first half following a crack from 30-yards out by forward Jameel Perry.
And after holding Jabloteh out in the first half, Hood’s men opened the scoring in the 64th minute thanks to a strike by fullback Christon Thomas for a 1-0 lead.
However that lead cancelled out by a superb Kerry Baptiste goal in the 69th minute for a 1-1 score after rewinding the clock to 2009 when he led, now defunct, Joe Public to the title in a year that he set a scoring record and led the “Eastern Lions” to five titles.
Jabloteh then took the lead in the 71st minute when Garth Thomas capitalised on a poor clearance by goalkeeper Adrian Foncette by hitting into an open net for a 2-1 advantage.
However Jabloteh head coach Keith Jeffrey wasn’t smiling at the final whistle as it wasn’t done yet for his side, which conceded a stoppage time goal from former player Hector Sam, tying the score at 2-2.
Jabloteh finally celebrated reaching the Final after edging Police 4-3 from the penalty spot.
Preceding the Final, which will be contested from 8 pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium, East Intercol champions San Juan North Secondary and Point Fortin East Secondary will meet from 6 pm in an exhibition match.
New to the Toyota Classic this season, each competing team were required to select an SSFL team from within their community, with the SSFL teams selected by the Finalists to compete against each other prior to the Final.
Finalists, Jabloteh and Civic, must interrupt preparations ahead of Friday’s Final when they contest Central FC and St. Ann’s Rangers, respectively, in Round One Match Day Seven of the Digicel Pro League on Tuesday 9 December.
Jabloteh will host Central from 6 pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium followed by Defence Force against defending champions W Connection from 8 pm at the Port of Spain venue.
At the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, Rangers and Civic will tackle each other from 6 pm followed by Caledonia AIA against Police FC from 8 pm.
Toyota Classic 2014 Semi Final Round Results
San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Kerry Baptiste 69’, Garth Thomas 71’) vs Police FC 2 (Christon Thomas 64’, Hector Sam 90’+)
Jabloteh won the match 4-3 on penalty kicks
WASA FC 0 vs Point Fortin Civic 4 (Jamille Boastwain 10’, 54’, 90’, Garyl Doldron 69’)