Stars shine bright in FA Trophy

TWELVE months after they finished in the cellar position in the 2002 T&T Pro League, North East Stars completed a fantastic transformation when they lifted the 2003 Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) FA Trophy at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Tunapuna yesterday. The Sangre Grande-based club won the title after dethroning last year’s champs W Connection 4-1 in the penalty shootout after both teams were deadlocked at 2-2 after full time and 30 minutes of sudden death injury time. While North East Stars prevailed at the end of the day, Connection’s Colombian-born goalkeeper Alejandro Figueroa was the star of the show, as he produced countless crucial saves to keep his team in the match. But, in a match with a series of twists and turns, the advantage finally swung on North East’s favour after Figueroa skied his penalty kick — and the team’s first — overbar, after conceeding the first goal by substitute Keryn Navarro.

Midfielder Carey Harris converted his kick while Ronaldo Viana’s attempt was saved by veteran goalie Trevor Nottingham. The prolific Randolph Jerome made it 3-0 before Jose Luis Seabra’s reply while national striker Jerren Nixon sent Figueroa the wrong way with his shot, sparking off a mini-pitch invasion by the vociferous North East’s supporters. Viana had earlier gave Connection a third minute lead before Stars struck back with two goals in the space of six minutes — from Jerome in the 29th and a Nixon penalty in the 35th. St Lucian striker Earl Jean equalised for Connection in the 43rd but there were non-stop drama as both teams tried desperately for the winner. Substitute striker Jason Marcano came close for Connection, sending his low shot against the cross-bar in the eighth minute of sudden death, while in the dying seconds a Nixon header, from a Kevin Jeffrey corner, was tipped overbar by Figueroa.

But one team had to win, and North East’s held their nerves to carry the silverwares back on their trek to Sangre Grande.
Teams:  NORTH EAST STARS: Trevor Nottingham; Charles Pollard (capt), Abassi McPherson, Glenton Wolffe (Wilfred Joseph 105th), Kern Thomas (Keryn Navarro 84th); Kayode McKinnon, Kendall Velox, Carey Harris, Anthony Wolffe (Kevin Jeffrey 55th); Jerren Nixon, Randolph Jerome.
W CONNECTION: Alejandro Figueroa; Reynold Carrington (capt), Kenwyne Jones, Elijah Joseph, David Atiba Charles; Jose Luis Seabra, Ronaldo Viana, Gefferson Goulart (Titus Elva 46th), Clyde Leon; Earl Jean (Jason Marcano 50th), Arnold Dwarika (Lyndon Andrews 90th).