Morvant Caledonia tackle FA champs North East

Morvant Caledonia United will attempt another upset in the 2017 FA Trophy competition when they take on defending champions North East Stars from 3:30pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo one of seven Round-of-16 clashes tomorrow.

Morvant Caledonia, FA Trophy champions of 2008, 2011-12 and 2012-13, ousted current three-time Pro League holders Central FC 2-0 in the first round (Round-of-64) last month before edging Tobago’s Stokely Vale United on penalties following a 1-1 second round (Round-of-32) draw.

Last Monday’s random draw pitted Morvant Caledonia against current Pro League leaders North East Stars in the only all-Pro League match-up for a place in the FA Trophy quarter-final round on November 12. The semi-finals and final are carded for November 26 and December 17 respectively.

“[The ambition] is to go all the way and win the FA Trophy, again,” said Morvant Caledonia assistant coach Abdallah Phillips, whose side must also face North East Stars on Tuesday in Round Two Match Day Four of the Pro League.

Morvant Caledonia currently occupy fourth on the Pro League standings, eleven points adrift the Stars with six league games left.

“Going all the way and winning the FA Trophy—the most prestigious title in the land would put some gloss on the season for us,” continued Phillips. “But it won’t take away from what we are trying to achieve in the Pro League. We are fourth in the (Pro) League presently and committed to finishing as high as possible.”

Phillips continues to serve as caretaker with regular head coach Jamaal Shabazz currently away on international duty as head coach of the Trinidad and Tobago Under-17 Girls at the 2017 Caribbean Girls U17 finals in Haiti.

W Connection, four-time former champions (1999, 2000, 2002 & 2013-14) and runners-up to North East Stars when the FA Trophy was last contested, will host Cunupia FC from 3.30pm at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella one of four Pro League-versus-Super League clashes tomorrow.

Elsewhere on Sunday, MIC-IT St. Ann’s Rangers must travel to Grand Chemin against Club Sando Moruga from 3:30pm and simultaneously at the Police Barracks in St. James, Point Fortin Civic will go up against Police FC’s Super League side.

Police FC’s Pro League outfit, meanwhile, must face WASA FC’s Eastern Football Association (EFA) side from 4:30pm at WASA Ground in St. Joseph.

Defence Force FC’s Pro League and Super League outfits will host Central 500 Spartans and Guaya United respectively in a double-header (4pm and 6pm kick-off times) at the Barataria Oval.