There was disappointment on the final day of the Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League season for San Juan Jabloteh, who missed out on a spot in the Caribbean Football Union Club Shield after losing to Club Sando. Jabloteh, who sat in 4th position prior to kick-off, needed a victory to secure a place in the regional tournament.
Much was at stake in round 22, the final matchday of the Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League, as Cub Sando looked to play the role of spoiler when they took on 4th place San Juan Jabloteh at the La Horquetta Recreation Grounds.
Jabloteh needed to win to secure a spot in the Caribbean Football Union Club Shield; a defeat would mean if AC Port of Spain won their game against FC Phoenix, they would be in the Club Shield.
They got off to a horrible start, down 2-nil by the half-hour stage. Things got worse in the 36th minute when Derron John’s cross found a free Luke Phillips on the far post, who guided the ball into the net. The shots just were not falling for Jabloteh in the first half, as they went in at the break down by three. It all came down to the second 45 for Jabloteh, who needed a response.
All seemed lost for Jabloteh until Andell Fraser was taken down inside the box in the 60th minute, resulting in the official pointing to the spot.
Jabloteh top scorer Elijah Seechan would send the keeper the wrong way, giving his team a lifeline. 3-1 the score. Luke Phillips looked to put the game to bed for Club Sando when he blasted his shot over the goal.
With nine minutes left to play, Jabloteh’s Dwight Jordan found Seechan in the box, who showed great composure, scoring his second goal of the contest. 3-2 the score. Jordan came close to levelling the score but squandered two good chances.
It wasn’t to be for San Juan Jabloteh, who went down 3-2 to Club Sando, resulting in Jabloteh missing out on 4th place and a spot in the CFU Club Shield, finishing the season in 5th.