Central FC (pictured) celebrates after defeating DirecTV W Connection to win the Digicel Charity on September 11, 2015, in Couva, Trinidad & Tobago. (Photo: Dexter Phillip)
COUVA, Trinidad & Tobago – Central FC launched the domestic season in Trinidad & Tobago on Friday with a 1-0 win over DirecTV W Connection to capture the Digicel Charity Shield at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Andre Ettienne, making just his second competitive appearance for the Sharks since being acquired last month, scored the game’s only goal in the second half.
It was Central FC’s first Charity Shield triumph, ending W Connection’s three-year hold on the crown. Both sides are also competing in the current Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League (SCCL).
“The contest was a good one,” said Central FC head coach Ross Russell. “Both teams were suffering for a win having lost our (opening) CONCACAF Champions League games. It was a matter of getting on top and winning the game as we look forward to the new (domestic) season.”
Former Port Fortin Civic standout Etienne sealed the victory in the 69th minute, firing Jason Marcano’s right-sided corner kick into the bottom right corner from the top of the box.
“Since Ettienne arrived at the club he has been brilliant,” Russell expressed. “He is a great striker of the ball and tonight he had a go at it and he scored. I am very happy for him.”
W Connection had chance to take a lead in the 24th minute, but captain Alvin Jones stuck a penalty high after Jomal Williams was tripped in the box by Kaydion Gabriel.
Central FC then missed on a pair of opportunities as Willis Plaza struck directly at goalkeeper Julani Archibald in the 34th minute and then Marcus Joseph hit the post from distance.
After a two-week layoff for the international break, the Trinidadian duo returns to SCCL action next week with home games at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain. In a Group A match-up on Wednesday, W Connection (0W-0D-2L, 0 points) will face Saprissa (2W-0D-0L, 6 points), followed by Thursday’s Group D encounter between Central FC (0W-0D-2L, 0 points) and Comunicaciones (1W-0D-1L, 3 points).
NOTES: The Digicel Charity Shield is contested on annual basis between the winner of the previous season’s TT Pro League Championship (Central FC) and the winner of the Digicel Pro Bowl (Central FC). Since Central FC currently holds both titles, W Connection became the opponent as TT Pro League runner-up.
September 11, 2015: Ato Boldon Stadium – Couva, Trinidad & Tobago
Central FC-DirecTV W Connection 1-0 (0-0)
Andre Ettienne 67’
Central FC: Jan-Michael Williams; Elton John, Andre Ettienne, Marvin Oliver, Darren Mitchell (Nicholas Dillon 85’), Jamal Jack, Kaydion Gabriel, Kevon Villaroel, Willis Plaza (Mickaeel Jem Gordon 89’), Ataullah Guerra (Nathaniel Garcia 79’), Marcus Joseph (Jason Marcano 65’) Head Coach: Ross Russell
DirecTV W Connection: Julani Archibald; Kurt Frederick, Gerard Williams, Maurice Ford, Breil Thomas (Kevon Goddard 57’), Jomal Williams, Dimitrie Apai (Aikim Andrews 56’), Alvin Jones, Shannon Gomez, Stiven Lopez Concha (Jabari Mitchell 46’), Jhonathan Gherherdt (Neil Benjamin Jr. 68’) Head Coach: Stuart Charles Fevrier
R: Rodphin Harris; AR1: Ainsley Rochard; AR2: Joseph Bertrand; 4th: Cecile Hinds
