Connection storm into U-15, U-17 semis

W CONNECTION wasted little time with North East Stars in their Under-15 and Under-17 quarter-finals of the TT Pro League.

In a double-header at Gilbert Park, Couva, on Wednesday afternoon, Connection who won the league crowns in both divisions, hammered the Sangre Grande outfit 4-0 in the U-15 Division, then overran the North East Stars 16-0 in the U-17 age group to book a place in tomorrow’s semi-finals. National U-17 striker Gorean “Mickey Rat” Highley netted a hat-trick for the Savonetta-based lads while Michael Bedassie, Aaron Downing, Kennedy Hinkson and Devon Drayton scored two apiece in the rout. Also progressing to both semis were Arima Fire, who edged Defence Force 2-1 in the U-15 group at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, Arima.

Keron Ross and Uriah Bentick scored for the hosts while Keston George got a consolation for the Army-Coast Guard boys. The Fire U-17 squad had little trouble in eliminating CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh 6-1 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo with Asil Guerra and Keshon Hunte both scoring hat-tricks. But Jabloteh’s U-15s advanced to the semi-final round with a 2-0 win over South West Institute of Football (SWIF), also at the Mucurapo venue, with Dennis Williams netting a double. One U-17 semi was contested yesterday, with South Starworld Strikers edging Defence Force 1-0 at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella. The other U-15 semi-finalist is Joe Public who squeezed past Starworld 2-1 at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya. However, the “Eastern Lions” U-17 squad surrendered a 2-1 lead and were held to a 2-2 draw and then beaten 3-2 by SWIF in a penalty shootout. Adisa Alexander and Kern Peters scored a goal each for  SWIF, while  Delandro Subero and captain Kern Gardiner netted for Joe Public.