Pro League U-16, U-18 semis this weekend

W CONNECTION, CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh, Tobago United and Caledonia AIA/Fire are the four teams contesting the semi-final round of the T&T Pro League Under-16 and Under-18 Divisions. The semis would be held on Saturday from 9 am, with double-headers at St Anthony’s Ground, Westmoorings and the Ato Boldon Stadium Training Field, Couva. At Westmoorings, Jabloteh will host Fire in one U-16 semi while, also at 9 am, Tobago will oppose Connection at Couva. Two hours later, Jabloteh will square off against Tobago and, at Couva, Connection will meet Fire for a spot in the U-18 final.

The quarter-finals took place last Saturday with Jabloteh, who lead both the U-16 and U-18 categories, on a bye. On the flip side, Defence Force failed to show up for both their engagements at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, against Tobago (U-16) and Fire (U-18). Tobago also progressed to the U-18 semis after a 5-4 win, via kicks-from-the-penalty-spot, against United Petrotrin at Marabella, after both teams battled to a 1-1 score after full time. Petrotrin also went under 2-1 to Fire in an U-16 semi at Marabella.

Connection were in a no-nonsense mood against North East Stars at the Ato Boldon Stadium, as they romped to a 4-0 win in the U-16s and 9-0 in the U-18s. In the U-16s, Andre Marchan netted twice (71st and 77th minutes), with one apiece from Trent Lougheed (18th) and Marvin Manswell (45th) while, in the U-18s, national U-17 striker Matthew Bartholomew found the target six times (15th, 17th, 26th, 32nd, 52nd and 72nd), while Keron Garib notched two (16th and 87th) and Dwayne Thompson (ninth).