Rajesh Latchoo got off to a winning start as Morvant Caledonia United's head coach after he guided the "Eastern Stallions" to a 3-1 win at Point Fortin Civic on the opening night of the 2016/17 Digicel Pro League.Jameel Neptune and new signing Jair Edwards scored for the visitors at the Mahaica Oval venue in Point Fortin.
However, due to floodlights failure, match officials abandon the first game of the double-header between Club Sando and last season's runners-up San Juan Jabloteh four minutes into the second half.
However, the lights were restored following repairs and the second match was played. It took Neptune just five minutes to give Caledonia a deserving 1-0 lead after meeting Samuel's hard-worked right side cross to hit past a hapless goalkeeper Miles Goodman.
But Sylvester Teesdale pulled the home-team Civic level, 1-1, on the half hour mark when he converted from the penalty spot, beating his former Civic teammate, goalkeeper Marvin Phillip, after Akeem Redhead was sliced down in the box by Caledonia's St. Lucian defender Otev Lawrence.
It was not until ten minutes inside the second half that Caledonia were back in front. Edwards timed his jump perfectly to meet a cross from the left by Samuel to head past Goodman for a 2-1 lead while exposing Civic's weakness in defence.
Edwards returned the favour in the 72th-minute but the 31-year-old well-travelled Samuel headed overbar. Samuel had represented North East Stars, Joe Public and Caledonia during 2005 to 2011 before plying his skill in the United States (Brooklyn Italians), Malaysia (Royal Malaysia Police Association FC), Thailand (Nakhonpathom United) and El Salvador (Pasaquina FC and Chalatenango).
Kareem Joseph, however, had extended Caledonia's lead to 3-1 in the 66th-minute with a superb free kick when he guided the ball over the wall and into Goodman's top corner from 22 yards out.
"I'm happy to start with a win," said Latchoo after Caledonia's win. "And I thank the players for that. Our players did what they had to do in the second half." Latchoo–the youngest head coach in the league at 33–who replaced longstanding coach Jerry Moe this season, continued, "I felt the first half wasn't our best showing because our guys are better than (what we saw.
The score could have been better had things continue going to plan and not giving them (Civic) the fire they got when we gave them the penalty. But we took control in the second half and showed that we can play.
We still have some things to tweak in our build-up and as our players go on, they will get a little more confident because we have some youngsters in the squad."
Meanwhile, new Point Fortin Civic coach Dick Furlonge believes his youthful side gave a good effort despite the result, but promised improvement.
"As we (Civic) move on you will see improvement in the team," said the former Trinidad and Tobago international and Holland-based player during the late 60's and early 70's. "We have a young team. A lot of them are inexperienced [at this level]. We had opportunities to go ahead with the game but didn't convert and that is what the game is about... if you throw away it will come back to haunt you. But I think the guys tried well and we will go from strength to strength."
Jabloteh pips Club Sando 1-0
Earlier, Jabloteh had led Club Sando 1-0 by the 14th-minute after teenaged left-back Keston Julien smashed a half volley into the back of goalkeeper Stefan Berkeley's net. Brent Sam had beaten the Sando defence to a Tyrone Charles' corner and the ball fell in favour of Julien just inside the area.
Jamaican defender Adrian Reid preserved Jabloteh's lead before the break with a clearance off the line after goalkeeper Shemel Louison was beaten by an improvised lifted attempt by Jared London.
Jabloteh were back at it three minutes inside the second half when Keyon Edwards was denied by the upright. But soon afterwards the floodlights failed to operate and later plunged players and fans into darkness.
RESULTS
Point Fortin Civic 1 (Sylvester Teesdale 31' penalty) vs Morvant Caledonia United 3 (Jameel Neptune 5', Jair Edwards 55', Kareem Joseph 66')
Club Sando 0 vs San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Keston Julien 14')
(Game called off after 48 minutes due to flood lighting problems)
MATCHES
Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar
Defence Force vs St Ann's Rangers–3:15pm
ON TUESDAY
Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain
Ma Pau Stars (formerly North East Stars) vs Police FC–6pm
Central FC vs W Connection–8pm