Connection, Jabloteh in U-20 final

W CONNECTION will be looking to retain their T&T Pro League Under-20 knockout crown when they meet CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh in the final on June 24. In semi-final action on Thursday, Connection trounced Tobago United 6-0 at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva. Jabloteh needed kicks from the penalty spot to eliminate North East Stars 5-4 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, after they battled to a 3-3 draw after full time and sudden death injury time. Connection were never troubled by the lads from the sister isle, with Arnold Ferguson netting a double, in the seventh and 29th minutes, and Andrei Pacheco adding another in the 27th.

With a 3-0 halftime cushion, the “Savonetta Boys” added three more, courtesy of striker Aaron Downing in the 47th, midfielder Brenton De Leon in the 50th and Gorean “Mickey Rat” Highley nine minutes from time. At Mucurapo, North East went ahead through forward Kendall Jagdeosingh in the 16th before captain Jerol Forbes hit back for Jabloteh, scoring in the 24th and 39th minutes. Sean Reyes equalised for the Sangre Grande-based squad in the 77th but there was more drama to come, as Andre Alexis restored the lead for Jabloteh in the 85th before Jagdeosingh struck again two minutes later.

Jabloteh were reduced to 10 men in the 88th when defender Marcelle Francois received his second bookable offence but they held firm during the 20 minutes of sudden death. Kerron Winter, who took the first penalty for North East, sent his shot overbar but Jagdeosingh, Keston Pierre, Kitwana Abosi and Simeon Augustus converted their attempts while Adrian Cedeno, Forbes, Rennie Britto and Kyle Rudder were the successful kickers for Jabloteh; Kyle Andrews had his shot saved by North East goalkeeper Ryan Ajim. Reyes’ subsequent kick was blocked by Jabloteh keeper Thorne Holder, and Christopher Sam, brother of Wrexham-based striker Hector Sam, ensured Jabloteh victory in a pulsating affair.