Defence Force forward Richard Roy completed his team's 2-1 comeback against San Juan Jabloteh with a 73rd minute strike in a tense Digicel Pro Bowl quarterfinal encounter at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya on Tuesday night. In the earlier of the two matches, Caledonia defeated Ma Pau 2-0 to join Defence Force in tomorrow's semifinal. The "Teteron-boys", clad in their royal blue and white stripe away kits, were made to work for their victory as Jabloteh ended the half time with a 1-0 lead which came from a pinpoint Jason Marcano header in the 33rd minute. Terry Fenwick's side, Bowl winners in 2005 and 2006, started the more lively of the two teams beating the Defence Force offside trap on a couple of occasions. Goalkeeper Kevin Graham was brought into action, denying Jabloteh an early lead through Hector Sam. Defence Force had a sitting opportunity to open the scoring after 20 minutes when midfielder Jahvon Neptune presented a powerful low cross into the penalty box for a sliding Balthazar, who shot over the target from five yards.
Within minutes of the wasted opportunity, Jabloteh were on the attack when Kennedy Hickson played in a lofted cross to Marcano to open the scoring. In the 42nd minute, Defence Force skipper Corey Rivers was on target with a powerful free kick which Jabloteh keeper, Cleon John tipped over the bar. After the interval, the Army/coastguard unit looked a more dangerous side with Rivers again involved, sending dangerous crosses into the box. Rivers who enjoyed a solid game in the leftback position, got the first of his two assists in the 52nd minute when he lofted in a fine corner which was met by Balthazar who scored a powerful backward header to equalise.
Rivers who fancied his chances at set plays, almost scored directly from one corner in the 71st. A minute later, Roy gave his side the lead with a clinical far post finish past an onrushing rushing John. After Roy's goal, a gutted Jabloteh never looked like finding the net despite substitutions by coach Terry Fenwick who introduced Joel Russell and Nicolas Castellanos. With the win, Defence Force will meet two-time winners, W Connection (2004 & 2007) in the second semifinal of a double header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain on Friday.
Caledonia stops Ma Pau 2-0
In the first semi-final, 2010 Pro Bowl winners, Joe Public will play Caledonia AIA. Caledonia, coming off Saturday's 5-0 CFU Club Champions Cup second leg clubbing over Newtown United of St. Kitts/Nevis maintained momentum to score two goals, one in either half against Ma Pau to ensured a berth in the semifinal stage of the tournament against title holder Joe Public FC. Caledonia took the field displaying lots of confidence with one touch passing between the midfielders. Both teams were caught offside on several occasions in the first half with the defences playing their lines high up the park. The "Stallions" got the breakthrough after 38 minutes when Akim Armstrong breezed through two defenders to feed a delicate pass in the middle of the box, beating veteran Clayon Ince for a Keyon Edwards finish. Jamaal Shabaaz made a tactical change in the 65th which resulted in a second goal for AIA. Jean-Luc Rochford was sacrificed for Kevon Woodley, who looked shakey within minutes of his introduction. A persistent Woodley, however, was rewarded in the 74th minute when fullback Kareem Joseph unselfishly passed the ball in the six-yard box for the open Caledonia attacker to seal the victory.