Debutants score in 2-1 win over Guyana
Debutants score in 2-1 win over Guyana
Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior Men took care of business in the first of two friendlies against Guyana with a 2-1 win at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Monday night.
Led by captain Sheldon Bateau, T&T got goals from two debutants, Ezekiel Kesar opend the scoring on 28 minutes while Kevon “Showtime” Woodley, a former standout for the National Beach Soccer team, notched his first goal at senior level on 39 minutes. Kelsey Benjamin put Guyana on the scoresheet in the 47th.
Guyana midfielder Darron Niles had the visitors first proper attempt on goal in the 26th minute, but T&T defender Robert Primus made a heroic block at the back.
Seconds later, the hosts had another warning shot when the burly Ryan Hackett rippled a left-footed shot into the side netting after the T&T defence failed to deal with a corner.
The period of pressure from the Guyanese team seemed to spring coach Angus Eve’s meninto action, as the hosts took the lead in the 28th minute when Kesar slotted past Jamine Cumberbatch after receiving a neat through ball from Daniel David.
Kesar, Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic’s leading goal scorer in the TT Premier Football League (TTPFL), was one of three debutants in the TT starting lineup alongside David and TTPFL top scorer Woodley.
The 37-year-old Woodley delivered the goods on his maiden outing when he clinically placed a right-footed shot into the bottom corner in the 39th minute after receiving a pass from Kesar at the end of a sweet left-side move.
Woodley needed just one chance to replicate his 16-goal TTPFL form, and there was only going to be one outcome when the big Tobago striker had Cumberbatch’s goal in his sights.
Woodley lasted 67 minutes in his T8T debut, and his goal aside, the striker showed decent hold-up play and showed spurts of the skill he has become known for on the local circuit over the years.
Eve made a switch in goal at the halftime interval as Adrian Foncette replaced Christopher Biggette. The veteran Police FC goalkeeper had to pick the ball out of his net just two minutes into the second half as Benjamin calmly scored from close range after an intended back pass for midfielder Kevon Goddard went straight into the Guyanese player’s path.
In the 61st minute, T&T had one of their best chances in the second period when Isaiah Lee was played through on goal by David. However, the striker sent a tame left-footer into Cumberbatch’s grateful arms with Woodley unmarked in the middle.
In the 71st minute, the hosts’ blushes were spared after another mix-up, as Niles wildly shot over bar after miscommunication at the back. Ross Russell Jr made a superb block to deny a goal-bound shot from substitute Marcus Tudor in the 83rd minute.
Both teams will meet again on Weddnesday from 7pm at the Mucurapo venue.
