Central storm to victory while Police and Jabloteh misfire

Central FC got the 2014/15 Pro League season off to a rollicking start last night with a 7-0 thrashing of St. Ann's Rangers at the Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya. Central was lead by a double of headed goals from their skipper Marvin Oliver who operated smartly at centre-half on the night. 'The Big Dread' twice profited from pin-point set piece deliveries by former National Youth player Sean De Silva. De Silva and the wily Jason Marcano were given license to roam in Central's dynamic 3-5-2 formation and their opposition never coped. When they were not creating opportunities through the middle of the pitch wing-backs Darren Mitchell and Kaydion Gabriel took up the slack down the flanks. Mitchell and Gabriel looked menacing in attack and I must say they both appeared very fit as well as they did not shirk their defensive duties. Gabriel even managed to pull off the goal of the night when he rifled a shot towards the top right-hand corner from a very acute angle on the right flank. 

All in all Central totally bossed the game and it was very difficult to pick out a Central player that did not make an impression. It was very much the opposite for Rangers though as none of their players seemed up for the occasion on the night and their lackadaisical play left goalkeeper Christopher Biggette stranded time and time again. Rangers could perhaps point to the fact that they were without Under-20 starlet Kadeem Corbin and a few other starters, but their woeful showing warranted no excuses really. Central would not have been too bothered with that as they got the perfect start in what promises to be an exciting season.

The second match on the night saw Police FC taking on San Juan Jabloteh. The game was played with a high energy and tempo but the quality(especially in front of goal) did not compliment it. Veterans Hector Sam and Kerry Baptiste turned out in midfield roles for the respective teams but even they could not supply that extra bit of quality that the spectators were bellowing out for. In hindsight the best chance of the match probably fell to Baptiste inside the first 15 minutes but the former Joe Public sharp-shooter only managed to hit the post with his one-on-one opportunity; something he usually thrives on.

                  The San Juan Jabloteh team look for answers following their goalless draw.


The game was fairly even in terms of chances and possession and both teams were gunning for the win; it so happened that those guns were not firing. Police's lanky and strapping striker Jameel Perry looked the most likely to score but he met stern opposition from Jabloteh goalie Shane Mattis whenever he found the target. Mattis was a bit vulnerable when it came to set-pieces but the big Jamaican came up trumps whenever he was called upon to make a save. His country-mate Newton Sterling nearly brought the house down in the 78th minute with an audacious volley attempt from all of 40 yards but his dipping shot went just over. Sterling's effort had the crowd on the edge of their seats while it must have left Adrian Foncette a very worried man in the Police goal. 

 The result was a fair one in the end as both teams did promise a lot but just could not deliver.

Scores
Central FC 7 (Quintero 10', Oliver 25, 35, Marcano 31', Garcia 70', De Silva 74', Gabriel 82')
St. Ann's Rangers 0

Police FC 0
San Juan Jabloteh 0