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The Morvant Recreation Ground opened its doors to the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League yesterday evening with pomp, noise and fervour. But, as it turned out, it wasn’t the visitors who could have done with extra security in the so-called “hot spot”.
Yesterday, the baddest gun slinger in Morvant was 29-year-old San Juan Jabloteh striker Willis Plaza—a seasoned hitman who has plied his trade in three continents having worked professionally in Vietnam, Belgium and El Salvador, as well as for the Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
Morvant Caledonia United could not cope with Plaza’s pace and panache. And, at the final whistle, the 4-2 scoreline flattered the host team.
The result saw Jabloteh skip from fifth to second place while Morvant Caledonia slipped from third to fourth in the 10-team standings.
“I think the inclement weather [hampered] our passing style and changed the direction of the football [as it] turned it into a dogfight,” veteran Morvant Caledonia right back Kareem “Tiny” Joseph told Wired868. “I think with Jabloteh’s strength, physique and height, [they made better use of the conditions].
“[The muddy conditions] changed the way we played and made us leave our passing game to go direct. And you can see [Jabloteh] have big guys at the back…”
At the other end, Plaza pointed to a different quality.
“Too much speed,” said Plaza. “We beat them on pace because their defence was quite slow.”
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
Jabloteh did not take long to get the show on the road. Just two minutes into the contest, a Morvant Caledonia defender hesitated for a second on the ball. Plaza did not.
And goalkeeper Marvin Phillip barely had time to blink before his former Trinidad and Tobago international teammate, Plaza, fired past him. First lesson to Morvant/Caledonia football fans: Be punctual!
Phillip made a fine save from ex-Caledonia winger Tyrone Charles in the 37th minute, after a flowing attack that involved Plaza and his strike partner Jamal Gay. But the second goal always seemed a matter of ‘when’ and not ‘if’.
And it duly came from the penalty spot in the 42nd minute, as Jamaican specialist and Jabloteh central defender Adrian Reid cooly sent Phillip the wrong way.
Again, Plaza was instrumental as he stripped Otev Lawrence of the ball and accelerated past him before the panicked St Lucian defender chopped him down for a straightforward penalty decision.
Jabloteh won 4-2.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
The lead stretched from two to three goals within seconds with Plaza again involved, as he headed into space for Charles. Morvant Caledonia left back Taje Commissiong was nowhere to be found and Charles flew past opposing defender Seon Thomas before beating Phillip with a fine, low angled drive into the far corner.
Commissiong and Lawrence are both 19 years old while Thomas is 22. For a generation unused to the rough instant justice that was corporal punishment, facing Plaza and Charles must have been a disorienting occasion.
Morvant Caledonia got one goal back before the halftime interval but it felt like charity.
Jabloteh goalkeeper Shem Louison and opposing striker Kordell Samuel chased a lofted ball over the top and the former player realised too late that he was beaten for pace. The collision, which occurred despite Louison’s best efforts to pull out, happened at least a yard outside of the Jabloteh penalty box.
Referee Keon Yorke, who had put up with lectures from 2006 World Cup midfielder and Morvant Caledonia veteran Densill Theobald for much of the half, pointed to the spot. And “Tiny” Joseph obliged to narrow the deficit to 3-1.
By then, the attendance had swollen considerably as supporters filled all three stands, stood in the mud around the field or lined the street above the ground to catch their first glimpse of Pro League football in their neighbourhood.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
A head count was impossible but it looked to be in the range of 1,200 onlookers. Joseph estimated at least 1,500. One supporter, who was allowed to address the crowd by announcer Wayne Cunningham, came up with an even more impressive number.
“Welcome to the republic of Morvant,” he said. “We have an attendance of 2.5 million people here today…”
If only the “Eastern Stallions” could match the wit and ingenuity of their fans on the day.
“Oh gorm Plaza, don’t score no more nah!” pleaded ex-Caledonia player and long-time supporter, “Gangsta”, in the 55th minute.
Plaza smiled and held up two fingers.
“Nah man,” Gangster replied. “Don’t score no more…”
Five minutes later, Plaza scored again, after a Noel Williams flick on. Morvant Caledonia coach Rajesh Latchoo replaced Lawrence at halftime and asked holding midfielder, Maestro Mensah, to watch the talented striker. But it made little difference.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
It was as though Plaza was wearing studded boots while his opponents played in banana skins. Once the Jabloteh striker looked even remotely interested in the opposing goal, the legs of the Morvant Caledonia defenders invariably turned to jelly.
Mensah slipped when he needed to be decisive and Plaza sprinted clear before cleverly chipping the ball over Phillip to make it 4-1. Theobald stared into the heavens.
“Plaza, oh gosh…” Gangsta moaned.
“Okay, ah done, ah done,” Plaza replied, with a smile.
And he was true to his word.
“Half of the fans [today] are people from my neighbourhood,” said Plaza, who grew up in Pinto but lived in Morvant and Chaguanas at various stages in his adult life—along with, of course, Nghệ An and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Visé (Belgium) and San Salvador (El Salvador).
“Today,” said Plaza, “the atmosphere was just amazing…”
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
It will be a while before the Morvant Caledonia district forgets the sight of Jabloteh’s mercenary sharpshooter.
Stallions skipper Akim Armstrong shook off his own miserable performance to grab a consolation item in the 72nd minute, after being gifted a free header off a Joseph corner kick. But that was as good as it got on the field for the hosts, who were grateful to some fine goalkeeping from Phillip to avoid further damage.
Off the field, there was much more to savour as hundreds of spectators milled about including Sport Minister Darryl Smith, TTOC president Brian Lewis, NAAA president Ephraim Serrette and TTFA president David John-Williams.
Shabazz, the technical director and founding member of the club that once named Caledonia AIA, looked as happy as a child in a toy store.
“I think [the large crowd] proves my point that the community really wants high level sporting and cultural activities,” Shabazz told Wired868. “And not just for free but in a [close] proximity. Given the attendance yesterday, I think if we can get the grounds fenced and a better playing surface, the sky is the limit for what we can achieve.
“For us, it is an important step for self-sufficiency and we will do everything in our power to make it happen.”
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
The Stallions took advantage of having their target audience in one geographical location. Rather than radio, television, newspaper or even social media ads, the club sent out a representative with a car and a speaker for just two days.
“We had a car go through the community on Friday evening and Saturday,” said Shabazz. “And look at what we got in just two days. And, most importantly, it was incident free. So we are planning for the Army game now…”
If the Morvant Caledonia defence is anything as timid then as they were on Sunday, Defence Force striker Devorn Jorsling would be licking his lips.
Time will tell if the troubled area allows the Army/Coast Guard combination to dictate terms to them on the football field as they did before on the streets.
(Teams)
San Juan Jabloteh (4-2-2-2): 30.Shemel Louison (GK); 18.Jevon Morris, 21.Aquil Selby, 24.Adrian Reid, 6.Akeem Benjamin; 5.Elijah Manners, 12.Kion Joseph; 10.Tyrone Charles (16.Brent Sam 80), 19.Noel Williams; 7.Jamal Gay, 9.Willis Plaza (17.Josiah Trimmingham 86).
Unused substitutes: 35.Andrew Durant (GK), 8.Keyon Edwards, 15.Jerome McIntyre.
Coach: Keith Jeffrey
Morvant Caledonia United (4-1-2-3): 1.Marvin Phillip (GK); 12.Kareem Joseph, 5.Seon Thomas, 15.Otev Lawrence (18.Maestro Mensah 46), 6.Taje Commissiong; 14.Keron Bethelmy; 16.Amos Ramsay (11.Dominic Douglas 71), 17.Akim Armstrong (captain), 21.Densill Theobald, 23.Lester Joseph (10.Sheldon Holder 63); 7.Kordell Samuel.
Unused substitutes: 30.Stephon Seepersad (GK), 3.Teriq Highland, 8.Anthony Charles, 13.Jordan Devonish.
Coach: Rajesh Latchoo
Referee: Keon Yorke
Man of the Match: Willis Plaza (San Juan Jabloteh)
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
Pro League results
(Friday 14 October)
W Connection 2 (Shackiel Henry 50, Jamal Charles 70), Club Sando 1 (Kemuel Rivers 36) at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Central FC 4 (Marcus Joseph 13, 63, Jason Marcano 42, Darren Mitchell 90+1), Defence Force 1 (Hashim Arcia 57) at Ato Boldon Stadium;
(Sunday 16 October)
Morvant Caledonia United 2 (Kareem Joseph 45+3 pen, Akim Armstrong 72), San Juan Jabloteh 4 (Willis Plaza 2, 61, Adrian Reid 42 pen, Tyrone Charles 44) at Morvant Recreation Ground;
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
Upcoming fixtures
(Tuesday 18 October)
Ma Pau Stars vs St Ann’s Rangers, 6pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;
Point Fortin Civic vs Police FC, 8pm, Ato Boldon Stadium.
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We sacrificing quality of the ground and ultimately style of play for the crowd…hmmm ok (Y)
It is important that the grounds meet proper standards and hopefully this matter will be addressed when the powers that be see the communities coming out to support their home teams and ultimately – good football.
BOOM.
Kirwin we have been using quality surfaces in the past but because of the lack of community and connect with teams at stadia venues no crowds. Now as owners we are trying something different. In bringing the game back to the communities indeed the quality of the field sucks. But in the case of Caledonia we not going to HOPE as suggested by Joan that the powers that be address it. If we have to we going to do our own work on the surface. But first we will lobby the authorities to do it.
Well I guess you all will be doing you all own work because that is the same question that I asked about the Barataria complex field and I was told that the Barataria Corporation is the one that should be fixing the field but nothing is being done. Them really good yes.
Respected…just Coach Jamaal.
Just concerned if teams begin to complain about the integrity of the pitch.
I look forward to your updates on the pro league. Thanks
Thank you, Gordon. This article was well worth the wait and the pictures paint a million words. It seems that we are well on our way to the good old long time days. I love the lime on the steps. Great start.
good turnout. had almost as many people watching as that year we play Malick…musbe around 1988–89?
And after the game conclued eh, my people didn’t want to leave the area nah, fuss they just love to lime and old talk and drink plenty beers and rum, just imagine that if it was a double header eh, by the way does the field have proper lights for the night games Mr Live Wire, Gordon Pierre ?
Nah boi uncle Earl Mango Pierre but hope they fix that soon
Steeuuppss oh gorm, yuh see if meh ex corrupted sports minister had allowed the great Coach Terry Fenwick to do his thing eh, everything wudda be in place long time eh, this damn politics madness eh Them really good yes.
Would have had gates and artificial turf to
Yeah it wudda be looking like the Stadium fields the same eh hahaha
I was told that even the grannys/grand pa’s, the dogs,cats, cows, chickens and the goats really enjoyed the game to eh, and I am positively certain that some folks sold their refreshments to help out their situations and this is what I have been saying for years, the football/sports/best village always need to be in the communities to get the real crowd support instead they brought the drugs, guns, and ammunition so that meh black people will kill out themsleves steeuuppss. but all that will be over in a timing, we taking back our communities one by one with the POWER of the most beautiful game eh. Them really good yes.
Niceness!
his statements are in the story lol
Hashim wil love it. I’m sure!
We’ll see!
Well say something nah man Prof Jamaal Shabazz I am positively certain that you got a feeling in our heart to see that your vision/dream is unfolding, waiting very patiently for your wise comments eh lol
Wonderful shooting again Sean-miguel Morrison. 😉
Thanks bro
two cup ah rain fall in Morvant and that ground turns into a swamp. It really affects the style of play.
Lotta fun skate tackling doh…
Lol. Yep. But Jabloteh had waaay more fun. Did you catch the game?
That fella in the picture behind the ropes really resembles my prolific goalscorer Willis Plaza eh it must be his younger brother?
Wow. Well spotted Mango. Maybe you’re right. Narada might know.
Yeah I think it is his brother
So what happened to meh Police vs W Connection down Point on Sunday I noticed that you didn’t mentioned anything about the both games Mr. Live Wire.
You not reading properly Mango. That game is tomorrow. Lol
And it wasn’t no studded boots that meh prolific goalscorer Plaza was wearing as mentioned in the story eh, is the real goal scoring boots ah does hook them up with eh, not those boots that is made from pleather that it is sold in our sweet country so meh other goalscorer Devon Cool Droggy Jorsling will be on like boil corn the same when he visits his home town and I will surely be there to witness the game eh hahaha
hahahaha ah was reading to fast a matter of fact I skipped a few lines eh, my apologies eh I really good yes. hahaha
It is Young Plaza, his little Brother, he attends every game Willis is playing in.
And I think that he have some touches to and wants to follow in his brother’s footsteps.
Wait Eijah Manners finally got his transfer back to his home team with all the thousands of monies that was owed to him by the smart man team Central F. C. eh. Them really good yes.
Lol. You know more than me on that one.
Well as the defender of my Players Association I have to know what injustices are taking place against my players eh, and will always expose the exploiters steeeuuppss. Them really good yes.
Great stuff. How were Kion Joseph and Elijah Manners in the midfield?
Both were good. I thought Kion looked very sharp. Densill and Akim were contained pretty well I thought. But the main problem for Morvant Caledonia is they were tame on the flanks without “Shooter” and “Sam”.
And Jameel had a nice start to the season too
Yeah. Just a one game suspension I think. So he would be back in no time.
Nah I say the main problem for Caledonia is their defense eh, just imagine the team played their first home game on their new field eh, and millions of the supporters came out to see them beat up their rivals eh and my prolific goalscorer Willis Plaza along with his team mates scored 4 goals eh, ah wudda fir the Coach steuupss Them really good yes hahahaha
“Pro league match at recreation ground”