T&T Defence Force II used a first-half goal spree to come-from-behind and whip rivals T&T Police FC 5-3 in an entertaining T&T Premier Football League Tier II ‘Big Six’ final at the Phase II Recreation Ground, La Horquetta, on Sunday night.
The spectators of the highly anticipated final hardly had time to settle into their seats when the Garfield Ambrose-coached Lawmen struck the opening blow through Clevon McFee within a minute of the kick-off.
However, the Defence Force under the supervision of coach Kelshall Alexander hit back in quick fashion, with Hashim Arcia netting the equaliser five minutes later.
Rodell Elcock then put the Defence Force ahead in the 20th minute, and it got even better for the First Citizens Cup finalist four minutes later when Police FC’s Aaron Kennedy turned the ball into his own net to give Defence a 3-1 advantage.
The Defence Force was now out to put the results beyond doubt before the half-time interval and made it 4-1 against a shell-shocked Police thanks to a strike from Dwight Quintero on the half-hour mark before teenage Theo Crovador fired a shot in the fifth minute five minutes later.
Any hopes of Police FC finding a way back depended on which team would get the next goal, and six minutes before the break, Mc Fee grabbed his second to give his team some level of hope ahead of the second half.
However, the second half proved to be much quieter than the first 45 minutes, with both teams defences showing a better level of stubbornness, before Qualanson Archibald got a third item for Police FC in the 84th minute to narrow the gap to 5-3.
In the end, Defence Force marshalled by central defender Jamal Garcia played out the remaining six minutes safely to secure the title and, with it, the $150,000 winners’ prize to add to their $50,000 collected as First Citizens Cup runners-up to their Tier counter paths last month after a 2-0 loss in the final, while Police FC took home $90,000.
In Sunday’s first match at La Horquetta, Queen’s Park Cricket Club outplayed Malabar Young Stars 4-2 to secure the $60,000 third prize.
For the Parkites, Sean Da Silva opened the scoring in the sixth minute, while Israel Joseph doubled the score five minutes later, only for Ronaldo Boyce to hit back for Malabar Young Stars in the 16th minute and then Renaldo Boyce from the penalty spot in the 34th minute for a 2-2 half-time score.
On the resumption, Giovanni Hospedales restored the Parkites lead in the 55th before semifinal hero Jaden McKree made certain of victory in the 82nd minute.
Sunday’s Tier II ‘Big Six’ results
Venue: Phase II Recreation Ground, La Horquetta:
Third place
QPCC FC 4 (Sean Da Silva 6th, Israel Joseph 11th, Giovanni Hospedales 55th, Jaden Mc Kree 82nd) vs Malabar Young Stars 2 (Ronaldo Boyce 16th, Renaldo Boyce 34th pen)
Final
Defence Force FC 5 (Hashim Arcia 6th, Rodell Elcock 20th, Aaron Kennedy o.g 24th, Dwight Quintero 30th, Theo Vrovador 35th) vs Police FC 2 (Clevon Mc Fee 1st, 39th, Qualanson Archibald 84th)
