Tigers crush ‘Pres’ Chaguanas 6-2

ST ANTHONY’S College began the defence of the RBTT National Intercol crown in convincing fashion with a 6-2 thrashing of Presentation College at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva yesterday.

‘Pres” tried valiantly but their defeat underlined the quality of football in the Central Zone, which they have won (both Intercol and League) for two years straight. Captain Julius James netted a hat-trick while Clevon George added a pair and Kevon Neaves one as the “Westmoorings Tigers” now await the winner of Monday’s QRC-St Benedict’s clash in the semi-finals on Thursday.  Striker Anthony O’Garro notched both goals for Pres. James opened the scoring with a 28th minute penalty while Neaves converted a freekick to give the Tigers a 2-nil lead after 33 minutes. George got his name on the scoresheet, rifling home a left-footer in the 42nd after an overlapping run through the left flank by lanky defender Yohance Marshall. However, from the restart, “Press” surged forward and, with the Tigers’ defence at a standstill, O’Garro sent his left-footer past goalkeeper Kegan Davidson.

James got his second in the 46th, heading past goalie Jeremey Haynes from a left-side centre by Neaves. But Troy Thompson saw his 53rd minute item disallowed by referee Cassie Moore after James (who supplied the pass to his fellow midfielder) for offside. O’Garro reduced the Tigers lead to 4-2, sending a low left-footer past the advancing Davidson in the 76th, but St Anthony’s restored their three-goal advantage through James, who slammed a 25-metre shot after intercepting a defensive clearance. And George put the icing on the cake in the 86th, powering a 20-metre drive past the hapless Haynes.