St Anthony’s, St Augustine clash in ‘semi’

ST ANTHONY’S, the 2002 and 2003 RBTT Intercol winners, will be going all out for their third successive spot in the final when they meet “Big 5” champs St Augustine in the second of today’s semi-final doubleheader at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, with Vessigny opposing Mucurapo in the earlier fixture at 4 pm. The “Westmoorings Tigers” St Anthony’s advanced to the final four with a 6-0 crushing of Fyzabad on Friday last while the “Green Machine” St Augustine disposed of Presentation Chaguanas 4-0 a week ago.

The Tigers and Green Machine, who will meet at 6 pm, will be missing a number of key players due to national youth team duties — St Anthony’s will be without defender Brendon Boucaud, midfielder Kwesi Thomas, striker Lester Peltier and reserve goalkeeper Kevin Mussio while the St Augustine will have to do without midfielders Shastri Spencer, Devon Maxwell and forward Shane Calderon. Nonetheless, St Anthony’s will pin their hopes on former Trinidad and Tobago Under-20 winger Kevon Neaves, who took over the captaincy after defender Yohance Marshall withdrew due to injury, playmaker Troy Thompson and ex-TT Under-17 striker Akil De Freitas, who netted a beaver-trick against the hapless Fyzabad outfit. St Augustine, coached by ex-national defender Michael Grayson, will rely heavily on striker Lorenzo King, captain Matthew Ramirez, Aaron Peters and hard-working defender Jesse Martinez.

Vessigny progressed to the semis with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Scarborough at Marabella on Friday while Mucurapo squeezed past San Juan 1-0 24 hours later. Mucurapo will enter today’s match without the services of goalkeeper Nigel Thomas, defender Khaleem Hyland and playmaker Atullah Guerra, who are all on national service, and captain Keron Lawrence due to suspension. But the Selris Figaro-coached team will be looking at midfielders Cyrano Glen, Christon Thomas and striker Richard Roy if they are to get the better of Vessigny, who will only miss on TT selectee, defender Kurt Williams.