NE Stars look to outshine Connection

NORTH EAST Stars will be looking to steal a spot in next week’s final of the First Citizens Bank (FCB) Cup if they can avoid defeat at the hands of W Connection today.

Victory or a draw at least for NE Stars in their second leg semi-final clash at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo from 6 pm will send the Sangre Grande-based team into their first major national football final in the club’s history. At the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on Wednesday last, the Stars outfit staged a come-from-behind 2-1 triumph over Connection courtesy a late double from Carey Harris. If, at the end of 90 minutes, Connection hold a one-goal lead, today’s match will either be decided by sudden-death golden goal or kicks from the penalty spot. But the consistent Stars looked ragged and lethargic during their 5-2 loss to CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh in the TT Pro League, also at the Hasely Crawford Stadium last Saturday.

Connection will be trying to prevent an upset today, and will have their eyes on the prolific strikers Randolph Jerome and Anthony Wolfe, as well as midfielders Harris and veteran Kendall Velox. Connection’s manager Raymond McLean noted that preparations have been “good” ahead of today’s battle. “Our backs are against the wall but we know that’s the time when we’re at our most dangerous,” said McLean. “We’re really intent on winning the match.”

The Connection squad, under new coach Leroy “Spanner” Spann, are grappling with injuries to stoppers Rawle Fletcher and Addison Belfon, as well as St Kitts’ striker George Isaac. But McLean is adamant that “whatever squad we put (on the field) we’ll be able to do the job.” Jabloteh will enter today’s confrontation against Joe Public, at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, with a 3-0 cushion following their first leg match-up at Mucurapo. With midfielders Kerry Baptiste and Otis Seaton as well as strikers Cornell Glen and Kerry Noray in excellent form, Jabloteh, the season’s lone unbeaten team, will feel secured of guaranteeing a spot in next week’s title decider. But “the Eastern Lions” will not roll over and play dead. According to coach Ron La Forest, “We had a wonderful workout (yesterday) morning at the Centre of Excellence and the team is in nice spirits.”