PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Guyanese international Charles Pollard scored a first-half brace as North East Stars blanked Digicel Pro League leaders Defence Force 2-0 in their Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation FA Trophy semi-final on Wednesday night.
The 37-year-old’s heroics guided the 2003 champions into the January 26 final where they will meet San Juan Jabloteh who scored a 7-6 sudden-death penalty-kicks win over Caledonia AIA after scores were locked 2-2 after regulation and extra-time.
In the night’s second match at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Pollard headed Stars in front in the 37th minute when he connected with a right-sided cross from former France-based Trinidadian winger Kevaughn Conell.
On the stroke of half-time, Pollard started and ended a counter-attack from his own 18-yard box, when he buried a right-footed volley past goalkeeper Kevin Graham after receiving a pass from Anthony Wolfe, and eluding Defence Force’s Richard Roy and Ronald St Louis inside the area.
The lively Pollard had started the move from the edge of his box when he made a headed clearance off a Defence Force free-kick taken on the left flank.
His clearance fell straight to the speedy Wolfe who raced up the left side before playing through the onrushing Pollard who completed the sweeping move.
Defence Force, winners in 1974, 1981, 1985, 1989, 1991 and 1996 will be blaming themselves for the defeat after they left top scorer Devon Jorsling, captain Corey Rivers, Albert Thornhill and Dexter Pacheco out of the starting XI.
When they were introduced, the deficit proved too much to overcome.
In first match, San Juan Jabloteh survived a few scares before Jason Marcano fired in the opener from close range in the 37th minute.
Former England-based striker Hector Sam then doubled the lead in the 57th minute but four minutes later his team-mate Joel Russell picked up a second yellow to leave Jabloteh with 10 men.
Ryan Stewart fired past goalkeeper Cleon John from inside the 18-yard box after being set up by substitute Densil Theobold as Caledonia pulled one back, and with three minutes left in regulation time, Stewart drew Caledonia level when his one-time low volley caught John by surprise.
Jabloteh, managed to survive the extra-time period with ten men and after both teams ended the first round of penalty kicks at 4-4, with one miss each.
In sudden death, both sides scored their next two attempts before T&T senior and Under-23 defender Daniel Cyrus had his shot saved.
T&T Under-20 captain Sheldon Bateau then slammed home the decisive penalty to seal his side’s place in the final.
