Tigers squeeze out plucky Shiva By Kern De Freitas

St Anthony’s College got their fifth win in as many matches in the Premier Division of the BG T&T Secondary Schools Football League yesterday, with a 3-2 win over Shiva Boys Hindu College. But they were made them battle to remain the only team with a perfect record. But the result at their Westmoorings base came at a cost for the “Tigers,” with Andrew Rullow being red carded in the 77th minute.

It was also a match that should have the St Anthony’s think tank reviewing a performance that could well have seen them concede their first defeat. However, Kwesi Allen ensured the match would end in the home team’s favour with a hat-trick, including the winner in stoppage time.

Shiva Boys got their goals from Tequan Rodriguez and Kadeem Ashford on either side of half time. Shiva might feel a bit aggrieved not to share the points, or maybe even win, but made a few too many defensive errors after playing well to twice edge ahead. They also failed to capitalise on their man advantage in the last 13 minutes.

The visitors also had a shout for penalty late in the match turned down by the referee, who drew criticism from fans at both ends of the field for his officiating, and an earful from an angry St Anthony’s coach Nigel Grosvenor in protest at Rullow’s sending off.

The seesaw match saw the Tigers chasing the game from four minutes in, thanks to Shiva Boys’ determination and an error from goalkeeper Carlton Alfonso. The St Anthony’s custodian would have been better off trying to punch away the incoming ball, as he failed to gather it in and Rodriguez did not need a second invitation to knock home his team’s first.
The lead lasted 13 minutes before the Tigers were level, Allen bundling home a loose ball after Shivas’ defence seemed to forget their lines.
The Penal-based school were celebrating again on the hour when Ashford found the net, this time through a scrappy play that typified the conditions.
There was more drama when St Anthony’s won a penalty in the 75th after Shiva failed to blot out a series of corners and gave away a handball.
Rullow was sent off two minutes later to the dismay of fans and the team bench, but Shiva Boys could not take advantage and faced some late pressure of their own.

At the very least, Shiva Boys must have been level on chances with their opponents, and were upset not to be awarded a penalty of their own in the 85th that might have proved the winner.

The Tigers kept pushing and after scrambling to keep a robust Shiva outfit out of their penalty area, finally found the answer, a floating right side corner from Adriel Kerr that Allen timed perfectly, his downward header towards the far post eluding everyone and everything, except the net.
It was a hard way for Shiva Boys to lose, but they certainly provided entertainment on a gloomy afternoon.

 

Source:http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/Tigers-squeeze-out-plucky-Shiva-275549631.html