St Augustine book ‘Big 5’ final spot on penalty kicks

THE “Green Machine” St Augustine booked a spot yesterday in the final of the British Gas Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) “Big 5” tournament. But they needed kicks-from-the-penalty spot to eliminate Mucurapo 8-7 before a vociferous crowd of 5,000 at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar yesterday. After the first five kicks, captain Matthew Ramirez, Elton John, Aaron Peters and Lorenzo King were on target for St Augustine while Khaleem Hyland, Christon Thomas, Nigel Arthur and Richard Roy scored for Mucurapo.

National Under-20 striker Shane Calderon’s shot hit the crossbar for St Augustine while Mucurapo’s Cyrano Glen saw his shot blocked by goalkeeper Nigel Parris. In the sudden-death phase, Jesse Martinez, John Stewart, Kevon Hall and Joel Williams netted for Gustine but, after Atullah Guerra, skipper Keon Lawrence and Shane Legerton all converted their attempts, substitute Shervon Jack sent his right-footer overbar. The match was evenly balanced throughout, with Mucurapo’s rugged and aggressive approach countered by the “Green Machine’s” smoothness on the ball. Mucurapo’s keeper Nigel Thomas was forced to save a point-blank header from Calderon in the 15th and a low drive from national Under-17 attacker Shastri Spencer in the 41st.

Jack forced a reflex save from Parris in the 86th but both teams were unable to get on the scoresheet, including the 20-minute extra time period. St Augustine will now meet the winner of today’s semi-final between Naparima and Scarborough (scheduled for the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella from 4.30 pm) in Saturday’s final.