Caledonia AIA retain FA Trophy

But the game was marred by a fight, shortly before the presentation ceremony, between defenders Aubrey David (Caledonia) and Keion Goodridge (Central), and referee Neal Brizan issued a red card to Goodridge after both parties were separated.

Edwards capitalised on a mental malfunction from Central’s goalkeeper and captain Marvin Phillip, in the 31st minute of play, to put the 2011/2012 champs ahead.

And Armstrong, in the 69th, followed up on a play which was broken up twice, by placing his curling left-footer beyond Phillip’s reach.

Despite the fact that no prize-money was on offer for the victorious team, the game began in a lively fashion as Caledonia’s goalkeeper Shemel Louison was forced to produce a good save to his left, in the second minute of play, to deny Peter Byers’ header.

Byers was again in the thick of things, as he saw his pass cleared by the AIA defence but the ball fell to Darrell Mitchell, whose left-footed effort was deflected for a corner.

Shortly afterwards, Caledonia forward Trevin Caesar showed the vulnerability of Central’s high back-line when he broke the offside trap but sent his right-footer wide, with only Phillip to beat.

Ex-national captain Travis Mulraine only enjoyed 28 minutes on the Central FC bench before he was ushered to the stands by referee Neal Brizan, after consultation with assistant referee Joel Davidson, for dissent.

By that time, AIA were growing in confidence and broke the deadlock when Phillip was dispossessed by his national teammate Edwards who tracked the loose ball and, coming on from the left, banged home his right-footer, to the roof of the net, past Phillip’s left.

Byers had a chance to restore parity on the scoresheet, but his left-footer failed to beat Louison from ten metres out.

Phillip was again forced into action, early in the second half, tipping a powerfully-struck right-footer from Caesar overbar, following a good move involving Argentina midfielder Miguel Romeo and Edwards.

Central had a fantastic chance to even up the scores, but only Mitchell knew how he was unable to find the back of the net, with Louison at his mercy.

In the 57th, Byers throw on the left made its way to central midfielder Justin Fojo who teed up Mitchell, inside the penalty box. After getting past his marker Colin Nelson, Mitchell only had Louison to beat, but the midfielder blasted his left-footer wide.

That lapse came back to haunt the Central squad, as Armstrong, who was later voted as the Player of the Match, put the game beyond reach.

Edwards was clearly held by left-back Adrian Noel (who had a poor match) but Brizan allowed the advantage and, after Caesar was tackled in the penalty box by Carey Harris, Armstrong showed good poise in curling his left-footed effort to the right of a stranded Phillip.

Caesar had two chances to get his name on the scoresheet, as he saw his right-footed drive miss the target in the 83rd minute and, in stoppage time, the forward drilled a freekick which was denied by the alert Phillip.

Teams –

CENTRAL FC: Marvin Phillip (capt); Fabien Lewis (Troy Dublin 50th), Keion Goodridge, Adrian Noel, Carey Harris; Marvin Oliver, Justin Fojo (Darryl Trim 70th), Anthony Wolfe, Darrell Mitchell (Hayden Tinto 70th), Jason Marcano; Peter Byers.

CALEDONIA AIA: Shemel Louison; Akeem Thomas (Nuru Muhammad 68th), Colin Nelson, Aubrey David, Kareem Joseph; Stephan David (capt), Densill Theobald (Sheldon Holder 75th), Miguel Romeo, Akim Armstrong (Vurlon Mills 86th); Trevin Caesar, Keyon Edwards.