A Tobago XI triumphed over a host of former world class stars in Dwight Yorke and Friends, 1-0, when the former T&T national and Manchester United forward staged his second annual Dwight Yorke friendly, at his namesake Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, on Friday.
A strike from Ziko Denoon, a former T&T Under-23 player in the second half, was the only item which separated the two teams.
The star-studded line up for Dwight Yorke and Friends included his former national teammate-turned-football pundit Shaka Hislop, as well as West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara, and Yorke’s former Manchester United striking colleague, Andy Cole.
Also in the mix were several former national players, record goal-scorer Stern John, Marvin Faustin, Cyd Gray, Arnold Dwarika, Ancil Elcock, and former Signal Hill stand-out Jomo Pitt. Yorke’s team started brightly as he and Dwarika showed the supporters some of the tricks which made them household names in the sport for over two decades.
Lara, who shone brightly in the inaugural match last year, was unable to display the same this year, in the first half, and opted to take a break before returning late into the second.
The batting world record holder pushed for an equalizer late in the game but the Tobago players held their own. The local boys had several chances to take an earlier lead but Hislop, even at age 43, was solid in goal showing great agility and marshaling his defenders against a much younger and fitter team.
Christopher Morgan was intent to shine against the Yorke XI. He even attempted a snap bicycle-kick in front of goal but failed to make contact with the ball. In last year’s match Tobago won 3-0.
In the first fixture of the day, National Primary Schools champion Bon Accord Government was held to a 0-0 draw by Signal Hill Secondary’s U-14 outfit. After the match, Yorke said he was happy with the turn out the spectators.
He added that several other former international players were expected but were unable to make the trip due to late confirmations and bookings. Former England and Aston Villa defender Ugo Ehiogu played in last year match and was billed to return, but was absent.