Dorian Daniel scored three minutes into extra-time as Malabar FC edged Premier Division leader 1st FC Santa Rosa 1–0 in the Emerald Apartment and Plaza Eastern Football Association League Cup final at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya on Saturday.
Santa Rosa had only itself to blame for the loss as it created multiple scoring opportunities but failed to take one on either side of half-time.
Daniel’s strike was a contentious one, with the Santa Rosa players he appeared to be in an off-side position. However the referee ruled otherwise and his team walked away with the $4,500 winner’s cheque and 25 gold medals.
The disappointed Santa Rosa players had to settle for $3,000 and 25 silver medals. Last month in the semifinal round, Malabar FC and Santa Rosa had convincing victories over La Horquetta AC and Maloney FC, 5–3 and 3–1, respectively.
Norrel George got a double in the first and 46th minutes while former St Vincent and The Grenadines international, Shandell Samuel (21st), Gorian Highley (64th) and Kevon Cornwall (75th) added one each for La Horquetta.
Keron James (38th), Justin Garcia (42nd) and Omeaku Barbou (55th) netted for the losers. Trevon Moora scored all three goals for Santa Rosa (69th, 71st pen, 77th) in its 3–1 whipping of Maloney which got its lone reply via Khalid Maloney in the 87th minute.
Yesterday, league action resumed with two matches, Maloney versus Valtrin Utd at Maloney and St John’s United against WASA at St John’s Road while the Plaza Cup kicks off tomorrow (Tuesday) and continues on Thursday.
Fixtures
Tomorrow
Boss vs Joe Public, Aranguez, 4 pm
Valtrin Utd vs WASA, NUGFW Grd, Valsayn, 5 pm
Tunapuna Titans vs Pinto Utd, Constantine Park, 4 pm
Upper Santa Cruz vs Malabar, Arnold Dwarika Grd, 5 pm.
Thursday
Maloney vs La Horquetta SA, Maloney, 5 pm
Prisons vs FC Santa Rosa, YTC Grd, 4 pm
Creek vs Carib, Arima Municipal Stadium, 4 pm
St John’s Utd vs La Horquetta XF, St John’s, 4 pm.