RBNYFL 24: Webb fires Premier SC past Pro Series to semis; AIA penalise Jabloteh

Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Under-20 Team forward Malachi Webb was unplayable on the weekend, as he steered the Premier Sports Club under-20 team past favourites Pro Series as the Republic Bank National Youth Football League (RBNYFL) quarterfinal got going at three venues across Trinidad.

The Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar was the site for the RBNYFL’s top under-20 clubs—and, certainly in Webb’s case, the top players.

Pro Series coach Kerdyn Moe could not help but applaud Webb’s four-goal salvo, as the South Zone runners-up got past them 4-3.

“Webb is a terrific, terrific player—not only is he quick, he is also very skillful [and] very strong as well,” Moe told Wired868. “He gave us a little bit of problems [on Sunday].”

Premier Sports are through to the RBNYFL Under-20 semifinals on 11 May when they will battle Evolution FC. The other semifinal pits City FC against AIA, in a rehash of the 2024 NLCL U19 Community Cup final.

On Sunday, Evolution edged HVC FC 3-2 while City FC held off Crown Trace FC to win 2-1.

It was closer still in Sunday’s opening game as AIA ousted high-flying San Juan Jabloteh on penalties, after a goalless draw.

Webb produced the performance of the quarterfinal round, though, with four predatory goals for Premier SC—in a match where the San Fernando-based club gave up the lead three times.

The St Benedict’s College star put the southern visitors on the scoreboard within five minutes. Webb took the ball just inside the Pro Series half and raced clear of the defence to score after opposing goalkeeper Shemuel Cassimy saved his initial shot.

However, within nine minutes, Pro Series were level as Elijah Wong got on the end of an angled pass to slot home and tie up the scores at 1-1.

Webb restored Premier’s lead in the 39th minute, as he lobbed the ball beyond Cassimy after the Pro Series defenders fell asleep during a free kick. Only for substitute Lendelle Baptiste to smash in another equalizer, 11 minutes later, after Micha’el John slalomed past a few Premier Sports defenders.

In the 57th minute, Pro Series suffered a blow to their hopes when they lost captain Tau Lamsee after a flagrant foul on opposing winger Kern Cedeno.

The Queen’s Royal College midfielder received a straight red for a tackle that may have been deemed retaliation for a foul that Cedeno committed early in the second half.

Unfocused and stunned by Lamsee’s loss, Pro Series gave away the ball in the defensive third soon after. And Webb quickly ghosted past the lone defender in attendance, before chipping Cassimy to bring up his hat-trick and put Premier 3-2 ahead.

Remarkably, the match was not over there.

Five minutes later, Premier goalkeeper Kerdeem Duncan charitably gave the ball away from a throw-in, which allowed Jaheam Bailey to center for Baptiste to slot in his second goal.

Both defences continued to give up scoring opportunities and it was never likely to finish at 3-3.

Unsurprisingly, Webb was the one to profit from another defensive snafu. Again.

Pro Series defender Akil Henry and goalkeeper Cassimy failed to effectively deal with a hopeful lofted pass in the 70th minute, and Webb bullishly bundled Henry off the ball before lobbing Cassimy for his fourth goal of the contest.

For good measure, he slammed the ball into the back of the net twice. And he shared his frustration with Wired868 after the match.

“It is very tough when you are putting your all out and your team concedes over stupid mistakes,” said Webb. “It was very frustrating, but in the end, I held my head up and kept on going.”

Premier SC head coach Sharaz Ali gushed about his talented attacker.

“Luckily, I have Malachi Webb playing for me,” said Ali. “[He is an] excellent player [and] he really played well today. Any chance he got was a goal.

“Academy football time is coming close to an end for Malachi. Soon he will be moving on to bigger, better, and brighter things. I want to wish him the best.

“I was lucky enough to have him for the last four years and develop him into the man he is today.”

The young coach discussed some of his tactical adjustments that contributed to Premier’s triumph.

“We anticipated the changes that they would make in the second half to add pace to the game,” he said. “We tried to tuck in Kelon Williams and Joshua Gustave to counteract that.

“[…] We caught them out a bit because they came high at us and had less numbers in the back, and a ball over the top beat them and that sealed the game for us.”

Moe, who steered Fatima College to the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) National Under-16 title last year, said Pro Series were without five starters on the weekend due to injuries. And they were not at their best.

Still, he felt Webb was the difference between the teams.

“We gave up [some] soft goals as well as put ourselves under pressure with some unforced errors,” said Moe. “We cannot blame defenders or the goalkeeper—it is a team effort and, if we had put away our chances up top, things may have been a little different.

“[…] On both sides of the ball, we could have been better. That does not take away anything from Webb. I think he was terrific for his team and he carried them to the next stage.”

San Juan Jabloteh could have done with a forward of Webb’s ilk.

In Sunday’s opener, Jabloteh dominated the match and created numerous scoring chances before being knocked out on penalties by an AIA side inspired by second-choice goalkeeper Brandon Dalrymple—who was in goal due to an injury suffered by Joash Harris.

Dalrymple stuck out a right boot to deny Jabloteh’s Jadon Pierre in the opening half hour and then made another crucial save with his foot to thwart Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 Team midfielder J’lon Matthews.

Midway through the second half, AIA got the counterattack chance they were waiting on, with star attacker and captain Theo Crovador sprinting clear on goal.

However, burly Jabloteh goalkeeper Stephon “Papa” Langaigne was able to parry Crovador’s shot away to safety.

Stung by AIA’s near miss, Jabloteh laid siege on the opposing goal for the closing 20 minutes, only to be repeatedly thwarted by Dalrymple’s brilliance as the game went to penalties.

Khidr Atiba, Malachi Woodley and Hakim Lorde scored AIA’s first three kicks, while Matthews and Andell Fraser levelled for Jabloteh. However, Giovanni Goodridge, who had a solid game for Jabloteh, belted his effort off the wrong side of the bar to hand AIA the advantage at 3-2.

Jean-Marc Thomas and Crovador went on to put the match beyond Jabloteh’s reach, as AIA were perfect from the spot.

A relieved Crovador said he was lifted by the AIA coaching staff after missing a golden opportunity to win the game in normal time.

“That’s how the game goes at times, you just have to raise your head and keep going,” said Crovador. “I got a lot of motivation from my coaches, and a lot of motivation from my teammates. It was tough, but I stepped up after.”

AIA coach Adrian Romain said Sunday’s RBNYFL quarterfinal triumph was their toughest win of the season.

“We allowed [Jabloteh] to play with the ball—that’s their strategy,” said Romain. “Once we were compact and always on time to the player, that was important for us.

“In terms of our counterattacks, we were really and truly disappointed not sealing the game in the first half. We should have been at least 3-0 on top. Nevertheless, we got into the penalty shootout and we won.”

Jabloteh coach Marvin Gordon was left gutted by the loss.

“[It is] a difficult pill to swallow,” said Gordon. “I think we dominated the football game [and] we played a brilliant brand of football but we just didn’t take the chances. I thought their goalkeeper was brilliant at times and made some key saves.

“[…] Credit to the type of football that we played. But goals win matches, and if you don’t take your chances, you can dominate a game for 90 minutes and still come back and lose.”

RBNYFL Quarterfinals

Under-14

(Sunday 28 April)

Cox Coaching School 4 (Jaylon Carrington 18, Javier Martin 31, Javon Smith 65, Djbril Hamilton 69), Arima Araucans Academy 0 at Republic Bank Sports Ground;

World Class Soccer Clinic 0, Union Hall United 2 (Jeduthun Emptagee 10, Ailan Ali 35) at Republic Bank Sports Ground;

Creek Sports & Cultural Club 0, City FC 5 (Jeremai Nanton 35, Reagan Rowe 39, Mason Joel 45, 54, Lucas Shaw 77) at Republic Bank Sports Ground;

Cardinals Football Academy 2 (Malachi Polin Neaves 13, Deron Blackman 52), Ultimate Unisons 1 (Julius Caesar 70) at Republic Bank Sports Ground;

Under-16

(Saturday 27 April)

Pt Fortin Youth Academy 0, Pro Series 2 (Jaeden Samuel 69, Zain Griffith 73) at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;

Trendsetter Hawks 2 (Gershom Chase 13, 48), Gasparillo Youths 1 (Tyreeq Pompey) at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;

Beatnix SC 3 (Jahmarley Ellis 29, 35, Danniel Phillip 77), World Class Soccer Clinic 0 at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;

FC Ginga 2 (Darren De Four 21, Jakwon Howell 49), Cox Coaching School 0 at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;

Under-20

(Sunday 28 April)

San Juan Jabloteh 0, AIA 0 at Larry Gomes Stadium;

*–AIA won 5-3 via kicks from the penalty mark

Pro Series 3 (Elijah Wong 14, Lendelle Baptiste 50, 65), Premier Sports Club 4 (Malachi Webb 5, 39, 60, 70) at Larry Gomes Stadium;

Crown Trace FC 1 (Justin Lewis 26), City FC 2 (Aydon Caruth 60, Caden Trestrail 75) at Larry Gomes Stadium;

HVC FC 2 (Kmarley Pierre 16, 31), Evolution FC 3 (Ethan Trotman 5, 30, Josiah Hypolite 57 pen) at Larry Gomes Stadium;

Trinidad Girls

(Saturday 27 April)

MIC Matura ReUnited 7 (Tyeisha Griffith 10, 13, 19, Luann Craig 15, 72, Tyeisha Griffith 31, Trishell Charles 37), Crown Trace FC 2 (Jade Beekhai 24, Shania Edwards 69) at Trinity College Moka;

Pleasantville FC 3, Eastern Counties 0 at Trinity College Moka;

*–Eastern Counties did not show for game

Talent & Energy 2 (Aaqila Virgil 18, Jewel Benjamin 70), Trincity Nationals 3 (Aaqila Virgil OG 21, Evangeline Farfan 63, 92) at Trinity College Moka;

Pro Series 3, San Juan Jabloteh 0 at Trinity College Moka;

*–Jabloteh forfeited match

Semifinals

Under-14

(Saturday 11 May)

Cox Coaching School vs Union Hall United, TBD;

Cardinals FA vs City FC, TBD;

Under-16

(Saturday 11 May)

Pro Series vs Trendsetter Hawks, TBD;

Beatnix SC vs FC Ginga, TBD;

Under-20

(Saturday 11 May)

AIA vs City FC, TBD;

Premier Sports Club vs Evolution FC, TBD;

Trinidad Girls

(11 May)

MIC Matura ReUnited v Trincity Nationals, 9am, TBD;

Pleasantville FC v Pro Series, 11am, TBD.

Trinidad Finals

(18 May)

Republic Bank Sports Ground.

National Finals

(25 May)

Republic Bank Sports Ground.