Civic drub Stars 4-1 in First Citizens Cup

POINT FORTIN Civic inflicted a 4-1 drubbing on the win-less North East Stars on Tuesday night, in the Abercrombie Group, of the 2018 First Citizens Cup.

This was the second game of a double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.

In the earlier meeting, Club Sando moved to the top of the Immortelle Group after a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Central FC.

The 10 TT Pro League teams are involved in this tournament, in two groups of five. The top two teams from each group will participate in the July 13 semi-final stage, with the final set for July 20.

In the Immortelle Group, Club Sando have seven points, with Defence Force and Central FC next with six points apiece. All three teams have one match remaining in the preliminary round.

And, in the Abercrombie Group, four teams have mathematical chances of advancing – Police, Civic, W Connection (all with six points) and Morvant Caledonia United (three points).

In the first contest on Tuesday, Central FC took the lead on the half-hour mark courtesy Rhondel Gibson, with a shot which proved too hot to handle for goalkeeper Kelvin Henry, from outside the penalty area.

But Kevon Piper tied the scores within the first minute of the second half, with a close-range shot into an open net, after veteran national goalkeeper Marvin Phillip was unable to stop a goal-bound run from Quinn Rodney.

Heavy showers affected the flow of the game, but Club Sando, who were playing less than 48 hours after the death of their technical director Muhammad Isa, dug deep to grab the winner, in the 83rd minute.

Midfielder Michael Basdeo picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty box and neatly curled his right-footed shot past the left of an outstretched Phillip.

North East have been the season’s biggest disappointment thus far, and they hardly posed a challenge against a well-organised Civic outfit.

Former national winger Hayden Tinto, playing in central midfield, has looked slower and, most definitely, a shadow of his former self. It was virtually left to goalkeeper Javon Sample to offer any resistance to the Civic attack.

After a couple of brilliant saves, Sample was beaten by a deflected shot from midfielder Justin Sadoo in the 20th minute, which struck defender Rakim Cabie and trickled in to the pack of the net.

Defender Shaquille John also tried his luck from range, to good effect, in the 40th, as his speculative left-footed effort skidded off the surface and went past the right of Sample.

Stars had a lifeline in the 65th minute, when Lashawn Roberts’ cross from the left was met by Keithen Carter, whose shot, inside the penalty box, struck the outstretched arm of defender Bevon Bass.

Referee Keilon Bacchus awarded a penalty, which was confidently dispatched by Rivaldo Coryat, who sent goalkeeper Miles Goodman the wrong way.

Stars finished the game with 10 men after captain Sean Bateau left with a leg injury – after their three allotted substitutions, and Civic took full advantage of their team’s misfortune.

Nion Lammy struck home on his second attempt, after his first try was saved, in the 83rd minute and, five minutes later, midfielder Nathaniel Garcia unleashed a 35-metre freekick which went through the wall and past a beleaguered Sample.

Standings –

Immortelle Group: 1. Club Sando 7 pts; 2. Defence Force 6 pts; 3. Central FC 6 pts; 4. San Juan Jabloteh 1 pt; 5. St Ann’s Rangers 0 pt.

Abercrombie Group: 1. Police 6 pts; 2. Point Fortin Civic 6 pts; 3. W Connection 6 pts; 4. Morvant Caledonia United 3 pts; 5. North East Stars 0 pt.