Naps, which had a horrid season this year in surrending both its league and knockout titles to Presentation, came out with a lot of purpose and controlled most of the first half. The Southerners got their opening goal in the 17th minute when national senior selectee Shahdon Winchester ran onto a ball and placed it just out of the reach of goalkeeper Kareem Joseph.
In the 28th minute, the lead was doubled when Andre Matthews collected a ball down the left flank. He evaded a challenge from a defender in the box and with all the time in the world, placed the ball into the net, leaving Joseph as a spectator.
The Royalians had a few chances but were unable to make anything out of them. In the 31st minute the defending champs custodian O’Shae Noel was forced to make a sliding save to keep out an effort from Akil Morris. Duane Muckette, the star of QRC’s season, continued his impressive display of skills when he made a few runs of his own. However, the 14-year-old was unable to come up with any goals.
At the end of the first half the scoreline remained 2-0 in favour of Naps. The North Intercol champs which came back from two goals down against St Anthony’s in the zone’s semifinal, tried to duplicate the effort, as they started the second half on the goal hunt. QRC had a few chances but, it seemed not to be their day.
The Royalians lost their head coach Keith Eddy in the 59th minute as he was sent to the stand-by referee Julian Drayton for protesting a call. Matters got worse for QRC as Dwayne Edwards increased the lead in the 61st minute from the penalty spot, after Ryan Frederick was adjudged to have been brought down in the box.
Muckette tried for all his worth but he was able to bail out his team this time. The defending champs will now play the winner of the East Intercol champs St Augustine and the Central champs Carapichaima which will take place tomorrow at Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, Arima.
Yesterday’s Result
NAPARIMA 3 (Shahdon Winchester 17th, Andre Matthew 28th, Dwayne Edwards (Pen) 61st) vs QUEEN’S ROYAL COLLEGE 0.
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