Vessigny ready to tame ‘Tigers’

VESSIGNY Government Secondary School officials are confident of lifting the prestigious RBTT Inter-Col football championship today in what is expected to be a keenly contested final against St Anthony’s College. The boys from the Deep South, who have defied the critics in reaching the final are not intimidated by the reputation of the Westmoorings Tigers who are after a three-peat of victories in the knock-out competition. Kick-off is 4.30 pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium at Mucurapo.

Yesterday Vessigny team coach Howard Spencer exuded quiet optimism that the much vaunted St Anthony’s strike force could be tamed to enable the Inter-Col Trophy to make the long trip back to the seaside village. “We are all set for the big occasion,” Spencer said. “We feel confident that the players are psychologically prepared to match the skills of their opponents and overcome the challenge.” The Vessigny footballers are ensconced at the Halyconia Inn in St Ann’s, just outside of  Port-of-Spain and have been spared the hassle of commuting into the city today ahead of the championship match.

Yesterday they were engaged in a useful practise session on the President’s Ground near the team hotel fine-tuning their set plays and physical conditioning in a last effort to upset the apple-cart and earn the recognition they deserve for a relatively successful season in the South Zone and at the national level in the Inter-Col. Spencer pointed out that the final is especially significant for Vessigny since this is the first year they have been able to field a formidable outfit since they never had a Sixth Form before. It is also the first time the school is in with a chance of winning a national football championship and the players are intent on making the occasion a memorable one — for their school, village and parents. And Spencer insisted that they have put away memories of their 8-0 drubbing against St Anthony’s in a “Big Five” encounter earlier in the season.

Once again Vessigny will be pinning their hopes on inspirational play which was highlighted when right-back Khalid Commissiong scored a goal in the 90th minute in the semi-final against Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive to earn them a berth in the final. And they are expecting a more mature and level-headed contribution from goalkeeper Kona Modeste who will be the target of the rampant St Anthony’s attack headed by Kegan Davidson, midfielder Troy Thompson and captain Kevon Neaves. The Vessigny defence comprise captain Curtain Hendy, Anderson Hardy, Shirvon Abraham and Khalid Commissiong. The midfield of Alvin Alexander, Kwayne Paul, Kyle Williams, Kyle Blackman and Timmy Hernandez will be relied on to wrest control of the play from the St Anthony’s players.

And the forward line of Tsion Thomas, Philvaughn Jones, nephew of former Strike Squad forward Philbert Jones and Meshack Lambert will be counted on to keep the St Anthony’s goalkeeper busy. The Westmoorings Tigers beat East Zone champions and “Big Five” title-holders St Augustine 3-2 on penalty kicks to qualify for the final today. If the scores are deadlocked after 90 minutes, there will be two ten-minute periods of extra-time. If however the teams are still dead-locked there will be a replay on a date to be announced. Earlier at 2 pm, Malick Senior Comprehensive are also after a three-peat in the girls final against St George’s College of Barataria.