Defence Force relinquish FCB Cup

DEFENCE FORCE relinquished their hold on the First Citizens’ Bank (FCB) Cup on Wednesday night, when they were beaten 3-0 by W Connection at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

In an intense match played under rainy conditions, the in-form Army-Coast Guard combination were beaten 5-1 on aggregate by the better-prepared Connection squad. A low right-footed blast from midfielder Gefferson Goulart in the 42nd minute, gave Connection a 1-0 half-time lead.

This lead was doubled in the 49th when the defence failed to clear a tame shot by Ronaldo Viana, leaving fellow Brazilian Jose Luis Seabra with the simple task of slotting home from ten yards out. Defence Force threw caution to the wind and went into all out attack, but Russell Pope and Owen Matthews missed easy chances from close range while Akudu Goodridge saw his fierce 35-metre shot saved by Connection’s goalkeeper Alejandro Figueroa. After Arnold Dwarika saw his effort crash off an upright in the 82nd, with keeper Selwyn George at his mercy, fellow national midfielder Silvio Spann completed the scoring a minute later, rounding George and slotting into the open net. Connection will meet North East Stars next Wednesday in the first leg of the semi-finals. coach Angus Eve found the target in first half injury time, with striker Kerry Noray completing the rout in the 90th.