… Caribbean United disconnect W/Connection
FORMER national striker Randolph ‘Blackhead’ Jerome marked his return to local football with the first goal for his home club CBR Mining Milerock as they scored a 2-0 defeat over West Demerara’s Seawall Football Club, as action in the 22nd edition of the Kashif and Shanghai football championships continued at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground last Friday night. In the first game of the evening, the Barbados-based Caribbean United also defeated Linden’s Winners Connection 2-0 to set up a Boxing Day clash with CBR Mining Milerock at the same venue.
Playing in the night cap of the double-header, Milerock began a bit slowly off the mark and Seawall pressed their case early, with their first run down of the match threatening the mining town team who were relieved since no goal was scored off same.
As Milerock began to settle, they soon determined that their opponents, who got rid of five-time champions Topp XX, would not be allowed to nail down a second win, so they took the fight straight to them.
Jerome, who has plied his trade in the Caribbean, North America and the Middle East and guest player Kendall Jagdeosingh, along with guest players Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard and Carey Harris marshalling the defence, Milerock began to organise themselves more sturdily against their opponents.
The first half appeared to be heading for a goalless encounter, until Jerome breached the ‘wall’ of the West Demerara side in injury time, to not only send his team into the lead, but also spark off wild celebrations among the home team fans.
It came as Jerome was able to latch on to a cross from winger Steve Brewley and plant a snapping left-foot shot past Seawall custodian Sherwin Lanferman for the 1-0 advantage.
Second-half substitute Allister Johnson scored Milerock’s second goal when he made the best of the offensive move started by Jagdeosingh on the right side, after the ball was played inside the six-yard box beating Lanferman on the near post from close range.
In the first game of the night, Caribbean United made good use of the scoring opportunities which came their way against the Winners Connection to come out victorious by a 2-0 margin.
The visiting team got their first goal as early as the 11th minute through a fine effort from right winger Marlon Sears who scored with a header after receiving a cross from Carlton Brutus – a lead they held onto even though their opponents tried to find the back of the net, at lemon time.
The second half saw neither side able to show their true form and when it seemed that the game would have petered out to a 1-0 win for the Barbadians, Zidkigah Samuels cannoned from outside the 18-yard box to double his side’s lead in the 90th minute.
Coach of CBR Mining Milerock, Bryan Joseph, was satisfied that they came away with a win but acknowledged more work has to be done to bring them to the level he expects them to play in this championship, while looking forward to the next game for which his assessment will allow him to see how his players are gelling with their imports.
The chemistry has not quite been of the best as the local players, particularly Brewley, young Clive De Nobrega, a younger Randy Jerome and the veteran Marlon Maxius are expected to hold their own to bring their side another victory.
Their opponents will be looking for an improved performance also as coach Lloydwin Semple said his players, including striker Tellon Erskine who should have netted from point blank range when he missed a sitter, need to step up and he expects them to deliver.
He said the collective effort is needed and his side is better prepared from their last visit here, while reiterating their need to step up, especially against an opponent like CBR Mining Milerock, who he said will be no pushovers.
The first game of the Boxing Night double-header will see Linden’s Amelia’s Ward United take on Bartica’s Mill Ballers, as all four teams seek a spot in the final four of this year’s championship which carries a magnificent first prize of one pound of gold worth $4M.