Plaza spoils Morvant Caledonia home debut

Plaza later dedicated his match-winning performance to his grandmother Florentine Cipriani, girlfriend Kareena Rose, and cousin Elizabeth Plaza, who all celebrated their birthday on Sunday.

The win hurdled the Keith Jeffrey coached- Jabloteh (6 points) up four spots to occupy second position behind Digicel Pro League leaders Central FC (9 points), while Morvant Caledonia, dropped into fifth.

The 29-year-old Plaza later lauded the turnout of fans, stating: “This was a big surprise to see the amount of people coming out to support the Pro League.” Supporters included the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Darryl Smith, Member of Parliament for Laventille East/Morvant, Adrian Leonce, Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee president, Brian Lewis, Ephraim Serrette, president of the National Association of Athletics Administration, and councillor for the area Franz “Delamo” Lambkin.

Impressed by the turnout, Lambkin said, “It’s the first time I have ever seen an event like this attract such magnitude of people in Morvant. This is what the community needs, something to distract the young people from the negatives.” Plaza silenced the thousands—mos t ly made up of home supporters— surrounding the Park Street venue with the quickest goal of the season, beating national teammate and goalkeeper Marvin Phillip with a right-footed laser after just one minute and 16 seconds following a release down the right by Noel Williams and slipping beyond defender Taje Commissiong.

Jamaican defender Adrian Reid then cushioned the visitors 2-0 on 42 minutes from the penalty spot after referee Keon Yorke ruled that defender Otev Lawrence had brought down Plaza in the area.

Tyrone Charles joined in on the fun, netting against his former employers in the 45th minute for a comfortable 3-0 lead. Phillip was hung out to dry by his defence when Charles had a free run at goal after Plaza headed-on a deep pass from the back by Reid.

Morvant Caledonia did however pull a goal back in stoppage-time of the first half through Morvant resident Kareem Joseph from the penalty spot—reducing the deficit 1-3 before the break—after Tobago referee Yorke ruled that goalkeeper Shemel Louison had brought down forward Kordell Samuel just inside the area.

However, Plaza restored Jabloteh’s threegoal cushion on the hour mark for a 4-1 score by chipping goalkeeper Phillip, who had moments earlier made two separate saves to deny Plaza and Kion Joseph.

Akim Armstrong pulled back another goal for the home side in the 73rd minute for a 4-2 score after climbing in the Jabloteh area to head past Louison off a Kareem Joseph cross