Rangers Under-17s get full points in Carapichaima

LAST season’s league runners-up and knockout winners Superstar Rangers had a easy passage in their first match of  the 2004 Carapichaima Under-17 Football Super League. The St Ann’s/Cascade youngsters were default winners over a depleted La Romain Lions who failed to field the required number of players for their fixture on Sunday. St James Jets escaped a similar fate when they too failed to show for their match against Gasparillo Youths, explaining to officials their maxi-taxi driver suffered a broken leg and was hospitalised.

Champions W Connection had an off day also, as their match against Trendsetter Hawks had to be re-scheduled because of unavailability of the ground. But in action on Saturday at St Mary’s Recreation Ground in Group “A”, St Mary’s FC and Presto Presto played to a 1-1 draw. Brent Roberts put The Saints ahead in the ninth minute, only for Michael Baily to grab a 34th minute equaliser. Point Fortin Civic Centre shut out Phase IV Nationals 3-0 with goals from Kieon Simeon (16th), Aaron Joseph (39th) and Vernon Thompson (65th). Cruz Internationals whipped Cap Off Youths 5-3 in the only  Group “B” match at the Roopsingh Road Recreation Ground.

Cap Off made a good start with Emilo Smith scoring a penalty in the fifth minute, but Terrence Baily put Cruz level in the ninth. Anthony Guppy sent Cruz ahead in the 18th but Richard Woodroffe knotted up the scores a second time in the 22nd. Baily scored his second in the 39th minute to restore the Cruz lead and McKenzie Cadet extended it  in the 67th,  only for Cap Off skipper  Adi Pollard to pull one back  in the 73rd before Donovan Derrick sealed the victory in the 75th.

Saturday’s fixtures:
Group “A”  — W Connection vs Presto Presto, St Mary’s Recreation Ground.
Group “B” — Superstar Rangers vs Gasparillo Youths, Roopsingh Road Recreation Ground, 4.15 pm.
Sunday matches:
Group “A” — Phase IV Nationals vs Trendsetter Hawks, 2.15 pm; Point Fortin Civic Centre vs St Mary’s FC, 4.15 pm, St Mary’s Recreation Ground.
Group “B” — La Romain Lions vs Cruz Internationals, 2.15 pm; Cap Off Youths vs St James Jets, 4.15 pm, at Roopsingh Road Recreation Ground.