Two late goals rally by jamaicans falls just short in the end.
Donald Stewart and Fabian Taylor hit back in minutes 82 and 88 respectively to close the gap but could not equalize despite a last minute flurry as W-Connection had built up a very sizable 3-0 margin after 69 minutes that had already put them in a winning position.
A most competitive first half entertained the small crowd of over 300 spectators as both teams filled with good ball handlers exhibited excellent tactical awareness in combatting each others attacks after prolonged possession.
The game broke wide open as it approached the break on 43 minutes.
A quick counter-attacking movement swept the ball to the half-line in two passes as a 40 yard diagonal to the edge of the penalty area was intercepted by Jermaine Taylor ahead of the forward and his own on-rushing custodian, Dwayne Miller for the diminutive forward, Andrew Toussiant to capitalise on and tap into an empty net.
1-0 soon became 2-0 four minutes later in the most cruel way, in time added on by the referee when in defending a corner a player from each team became entangled in their attempt to go for a ball that was cleared away ahead of them.
To the chagrin if the visitors they saw the referee indicate a penalty followed by a caution to Donald Stewart and then the persistent protesting of Robert Scarlett who voiced loudly the vulgar injustice inflicted upon the jamaicans at a crucial time of the game.
2-0 down and a large damper on the spirit, while both coaches voiced there sharp disagreement to the official’s decision at the half-time, they quickly guided the team to respond positively with class, determination and a greater sense of purpose to rise above it all and win the game despite of the injustice.
A more aggressive approach imposed by the “Stars of the East” from the start of the second half meant Harbour View pounded away at the Trinidadian Champions goal-mouth with 3 shots and 3 corners in the first ten minutes as an all out assault from angles was launched with dangerous intentions.
The defense tested, midfield under pressure the smooth flowing W-Connection stood their ground while imposing their slick ball movement across the field before implementing selected counter-attacks.
Success smiled on them once more in minute 68 when another 3 passing movement orchestrated on the left about the half-line was only detoured by the retreating Oniel Smith but the last gasp toe-poke to across the face of the goal found captain,Earl John along with an empty goal to tap into despite Dwayne Miller’s most gallant effort to stop was founded to be too late.
3-0 down, and a massive mountain to climb the true spirit of Harbour View again soared as so as not to be defied, like lions they roared forward with greater determination.
Newly found vigor born out of determination, the physical superiority kicked in along with the never-say-die attitude pumping through their veins the “Stars of the East” shone brightest in the last 20 minutes to rally in amazing fashion as the largely partisan Trini crowd was dumb-struck with silence as they chopped away at the deficit minute by minute.
The Panamanian referee answered many questions of time remaining as the Trini’s desperately hung on for dear life while still managing to impose a few serious counter-attacks but with no further success the Stars of the East kept pressing forward in search of further Caribbean glory.
Unfortunately, the final whistle sounded and ended the journey towards our second Caribbean crown, 2-3.