NLCL 24: Campbell keeps AIA ahead; Central Soccer hold Point Fortin

Editor Friday 19 January 2024 Volley, Youth Football Leave a comment

Caledonia AIA continued their climb up the NLCL U19 Community Cup Group A standings yesterday with a 3-0 win away to Blast FC at the Prime Minister’s Recreation Ground in Five Rivers.

Attacking midfielder Keiron Hinds opened the scoring with his fifth goal of the season, as the “Eastern Stallions” moved above Soccer Made Simple (SMS) to third place at the end of the first round.

AIA midfielder Khadell Campbell looks for a teammate during NLCL U19 Community Cup action against City FC at Eddie Hart on 7 January 2024.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868

The top three teams from Group A and B will advance to the knockout stage. Caledonia are two points clear of fourth place SMS and trail QPCC City FC by just one point.

Elsewhere, Athletic International Academy (AIA) retained pole position as they came from behind to edge Malabar 2-1 at the Eddie Hart Recreation Ground, thanks to a late winner by a midfielder Khadell Campbell.

And City FC rebounded from a 1-0 halftime deficit in Santa Cruz to defeat table proppers Cantaro United 3-1, with attacking midfielder Caden Trestrail netting a double.

Trestrail is joint top scorer in Group A with five goals from six matches, along with AIA’s Theo Crovador and Caledonia’s Hinds.

QPCC City FC midfielder Caden Trestrail (left) looks for a passing option while AIA midfielder Khadell Campbell keeps tabs during NLCL U19 Community Cup action at Eddie Hart on 7 January 2024.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868

In Group B, there was no separating leaders Point Fortin Youth FA and second placed Central Soccer World (CSW) as they played to a 1-1 draw at Techier Recreation Ground.

Khylon Cayenne opened the scoring for Point Fortin in the 10th minute, as they looked to extend their three-point lead atop the standings. However, Central fought back with Ethan Trotman converting a second half equaliser.

In the only other contest in Group B, Gasparillo Youths spanked Moruga FC 5-1 with Malerky Fraser grabbing a hattrick. Fraser has five goals in the competition already, one short of group leader Isaiah Jacob from Point Fortin.

More important, the result saw Gasparillo move three points clear of Made In La Brea in third. At the other end, Moruga slipped to bottom place as they fell below Kamillionare FC on goal difference.

Gasparillo Youths attacker Keron Burnett (foreground) is tripped by Crown Trace FC player Ronaldo Audain during NYFL action at Edinburgh 500 on 25 March 2023.
(Copyright Daniel Prentice/ Wired868)

NLCL U19 Community Cup results

(Thursday 18 January)

Group A

Blast FC 0, Caledonia AIA 3 (Keiron Hinds 2, Kareem Richards 61, Zachery Joseph 63) at Prime Minister’s Recreation Ground;

AIA 2 (Juburili Williams OG 48, Khadell Campbell 82), Malabar Young Stars 1 (David Lewis 5) at Eddie Hart Recreation Ground;

Cantaro United 1 (Jaedon Samuel 44), QPCC – City FC 3 (Caden Trestrail 50, 67, Phillip Nelson 79) at Cantaro Recreation Ground;

Malabar Young Stars goalkeeper Jadon-Paul Alexander makes a save during NLCL U19 Community Cup action against Blast FC in Malabar on 11 January 2024.
Photo: Wired868

Group B

Moruga FC 1 (Terrel Thompson 52), Gasparillo Youths 5 (Malerky Fraser 5, 27, 76, Jabari Rodriguez 24, Jerrell Griffith 45) at Marac Recreation Ground;

Central Soccer World 1 (Ethan Trotman 64), Point Fortin Youth FA 1 (Khylon Cayenne 10) at Balmain Recreation Ground.