Trinidad and Tobago scored three unanswered second half goals to defeat Guyana in a training match before a crowd of roughly 1000 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Fans on Saturday may not have a problem with a similar scoreline in favour of the hosts but all round the scenes both on and off the pitch will be expected to be of a brighter look when the first whistle blows to signal the start of the 2010 World Cup qualifier against Guatemala.
T&T got their goals from three half time substitutes - Carlos Edwards ( 60th ), Cornell Glen (62nd) and Dennis Lawrence a penalty in the 90th.
Most of the regulars started on the bench with Jan Michael Williams, Jason Scotland, Andre Toussaint, Keon Daniel, Clyde Leon, Makan Hislop and new call up Julius James in the first eleven. Dwight Yorke was among those on the bench but he never got a taste of the action. Daniel rejoined the team yesterday after a short trial with West Ham United during which he trained with the first team for three days. Khaleem Hyland was also in England at the same time on contract-related business.
Guyana were without prolific Joe Public striker Gregory Richardson who arrived in the afternoon after Joe Public’s thumping of New England Revolution and was not up for an invitation to enter the game after half time.
Scotland had T&T's first chance in the 27th minute, but under pressure from defender Walter Moore, hit straight at keeper Ronson Williams from close up. Moments later, Caledonia AIA wide man Gyasi Joyce also put the ball wide from a short distance away. But despite territorial possession, T&T did not manage a menacing shot on goal in the first half.
Edwards put T&T ahead when a tame looking effort took a deflection off defender Moore on its way past Guyana goalie Ronson Williams..
Glen got T&T's second goal two minutes later, collecting Leon's straight pass behind the defenders and striking hitting a firm low shot home
Edwards then enjoyed a trademark surge into the box before being bundled over but referee Neil Brizan was having none of it and cautioned the Sunderland midfielder.
T&T were hardly ever pressured at the back and goalie Jan Michael Williams was a mere spectator for much of the ninety.
Then when Glen was toppled in the penalty box, Lawrence calmly converted the spot kick.
In the second game of the double header, T&T's Under 20s put on a fairly good showing in a 0-0 with El Salvador. (Sept 4,2008)
T&T: 21-Jan Michael Williams (GK), 2-Aklie Edwards, 4-Makan Hislop, 5-Julius James, 9-Keon Daniel, 10-Andre Toussaint, 11-Jason Scotland, 15-Gyasi Joyce, 16-Akeil Guevara, 17-Clyde Leon. SUBS: 1-Marvin Phillip, 3-Avery John, 6-Dennis Lawrence, 7-Carlos Edwards, 8-Cyd Gray, 13-Cornell Glen18-Densil Theobald, 19-Dwight Yorke.
GUYANA: Ronson Williams, 3-Howard Lowe, 4-Kestore Jacobs, 5-Walter Moore, 7-Dwain Jacob, 8-Brion. Baker, 9-Konata Mannings, 10-Anthony Abrahams, 12-Shawn Bishop, 13-Charles Polard(C), 14-Dwight Peter. SUBS: 2-Calvin Sheppard, 6-Glenorvon Edmonds, 11-Teon Sarjeant, 15-Philbert Moffat, 16-Shermayne Morris, 17-Dwayne Ali.
