W Connection and Caledonia shoot blanks in Couva Pro League affair

DIRECTV W Connection dropped two points at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva tonight but there was little else worth reporting as the runaway leaders played Caledonia AIA to an uninspiring goalless draw in Pro League action.

Picture two boxers repeatedly clinching and landing less than 40 percent of their punches and you would probably get the picture.

Caledonia had two good scoring opportunities in the first half but was denied by Connection goalkeeper Julani Archibald and defender Daneil Cyrus. Connection had two good efforts on target in the second half but could not get past Caledonia goalkeeper Shemel Louison. And that pretty much summed it up.

The point gained by Connection extended its lead over second place Point Fortin Civic to eight points while Caledonia moved ahead of Police FC in fifth spot by goal difference.

Perhaps Caledonia coach Jamaal Shabazz would regret not accomplishing more tonight.

Remarkably, Connection could not get out its own half of the field for the first 30 minutes. The “Eastern Stallions” should have gone ahead after 22 minutes but for a brilliant reflex save from Archibald to deny a Noel Williams header off a Tyrone Charles cross.

The less said about Mekeil Williams’ marking of his namesake, Noel, the better.

Keyon Edwards got a good look at the Connection goal in the 29th minute but scoffed his shot and Cyrus responded quickly with a vital block to keep out Akim Armstrong’s cracking half volley.

Joevin Jones, who moved from midfield to left back in the second half in the absence of the injured Kurt Frederick, had two half chances but could not put either on target. And Connection’s best opportunity came for the unlikely figure of its midfield hardman and captain, Gerrard Williams.

Gerrard’s swivelled at the edge of the area to send a low missile flying towards the left hand upright in the 84th minute. Somehow, Louison stuck his hand out to turn the shot around the post.

From the resulting corner kick, Connection winger Stefano Rijssel, who returned from an unsuccessful trial with MLS team Seattle Sounders, almost embarrassed Louison with an angled header that the latter juggled against the bar before finally holding on.

The draw was inevitable after that.

Pro League action continues in Couva tomorrow as third place Central FC tackles St Ann’s Rangers from 6 pm while defending champion Defence Force faces San Juan Jabloteh from 8 pm in the second game of a double header.

(Teams)

W Connection (4-2-1-3): 18.Julani Archibald (GK); 39.Alvin Jones, 4.Daneil Cyrus, 15.Mekeil Williams, 13.Devaughn Elliot (32.Dimitrie Apai 64); 7.Silvio Spann (11.Tremain Paul 10), 3.Gerard Williams (captain); 10.Joevin Jones; 12.Jerrel Britto (65.Neil Benjamin Jr 75), 14.Hashim Arcia, 20.Stefano Rijssel.

Unused substitutes: 22.Aquelius Sylvester (GK), 19.Joel Russell, 25.Christian Viveros, 40.Jomal Williams.

Coach: Stuart Charles-Fevrier

 

Caledonia AIA (4-2-3-1): 1.Shemel Louison (GK); 12.Kareem Joseph, 5.Akeem Thomas, 3.Nuru Muhammad, 2.Aubrey David; 7.Stephan David (captain), 21.Densil Theobald; 20.Noel Williams (10.Ralph Lundy Jr 77), 17.Akim Armstrong, 16.Tyrone Charles; 9.Keyon Edwards (18.Denron Frederick 77).

Unused substitutes: 34.Kevin Graham (GK), 4.Raymond Alleyne, 6.Marcus Ambrose, 8.Keron Bethelmy, 19.Nical Stephens.

Coach: Jamaal Shabazz

 

Referee: Larry Lalchan

 

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