Big guns look for first victory

WCONNECTION, CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh and Caledonia AIA/Fire will all be vying for their first win in the Lucozade-sponsored “Big Six” competition when second round action takes place today. The “Big Six” is the final round-robin phase of the T&T Pro League, with Connection atop the overall standings, followed by Jabloteh and Defence Force. In the first round of the Big Six contest on November 6, Connection were beaten 3-1 by United Petrotrin; Jabloteh went under 2-1 to Defence Force; and Caledonia lost 1-0 to North East Stars. Connection will be looking to redeem themselves with a match-up against the Army-Coast Guard combination from 4 pm at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.

The “Savonetta Lads” will have to do without the services of former national players—  Travis Mulraine, as well as fellow midfielders, the Brazil-born duo  Ronaldo Viana and Gefferson Goulart, due to their roles in the brawl at the same venue on November 4 against Jabloteh, in the Toyota Classic competition final. But coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier will have the opportunity to utilise a number of his fringe players, including Nicholson Thomas, Clyde Leon, Dwight Scott, Shane Calderon and Andrei Pacheco. For Defence Force, it will also be a chance for defender Anton Pierre to stake a recall into the national team, currently preparing for next year’s World Cup in Germany, while strikers Devon Jorsling and Kevon Carter will both be looking to continue their prolific goal-scoring form.

Caledonia and Petrotrin will square-off in the first match of a double-header at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima from 4 pm, with Caledonia relying on national midfielder Densil Theobald, as well as veterans Titus Elva, Nigel Pierre and Stokely Mason. Petrotrin will pin their hopes on the evergreen Anthony Rougier and the youthful pair of Kevon Clement and Jerol Forbes. The other match at Arima features North East and Jabloteh. North East, who have had a troubled 2005, will still have a lot to prove, in particular, the Wolfe brothers Glenton and Anthony, as well as Gary Glasgow keen to remind national coach Leo Beenhakker that they can force their way back into the TT team.

Former national defender Michael Grayson will do the coaching duties for Jabloteh, in place of the suspended Terry Fenwick, while the centre-back pair of Dexter Franklyn and Ian Gray will be absent due to their roles in the November 4 disgrace. But the San Juan lads will welcome back midfielder Aurtis Whitley and right-back Cyd Gray from national duties, and will be looking to stamp their authority over North East.