The Roosters (Block C – Taylor Hall) qualified for the finals of the Sagicor UWI Guild Champions League on Sunday November 24th when they beat the Preston Titans 2-1 in the first of two semi-finals at the UWI Bowl .
The Roosters (Block C – Taylor Hall) qualified for the finals of the Sagicor UWI Guild Champions League on Sunday November 24th when they beat the Preston Titans 2-1 in the first of two semi-finals at the UWI Bowl .
Powered by a brace from one of the competitions leading goal scorers, Oshane Rodney, the Roosters got by the Titans in an engaging contest played in wet and slippery conditions.
An early afternoon downpour, had left the field very slick which made passing and turning difficult in the soft underfoot conditions. The Titans was the first team to get a shot off in the third minute but the Roosters was the first to hit the target in the fourth.
A slick passing move from the left side of the field to the right saw Rodney being played in perfectly by Geran Smikle and the forward had no hesitation in unleashing a fierce drive into the far corner while the Titans keeper Ledon Evans remained rooted to the spot. His one-time effort was a thing of beauty and brought even the neutrals to their feet.
The Roosters took firm control of the game and seemed to defy the conditions, playing a good passing game in spite of how slippery the conditions were.
The Titans found themselves defending for most of the half as they repelled attack after attack. Titans captain, Justin Gordon-Martin and Alex Thomas who were usually at the centre of every attack were forced to defend for longer periods than they would have liked.
But out of nothing and totally against the run of play, the Titans were level. Caught on the counter-attack the Roosters defence was unable to cope with the speed of the Titans forwards and when Craig Scott’s effort was parried by Rodayne Williams in goal for Roosters, it fell kindly to Jhavid Henlon who had a simple tap-in to level the scores at 1-1.
The Roosters didn’t allow the equalizer to ruffle their feathers and kept up the pressure on the Titans defence as they looked to regain the advantage. They were unable to find another goal and the half ended 1-1.
The second half began the way the first ended, with the Roosters on the attack and the Titans on the back foot, defending for their lives.
The Roosters created three chances in a row, the third being the best. Lamar Duncan picked up a ball on the right side of the box and beat a defender before rounding goalkeeper Evans and getting off a goal bound shot which was deflected unto the post by a defender. The Titans were able to scramble the ball clear and avert the danger.
Midway the half Rodney had the ball in the back of the net but as the Roosters supporters began to celebrate their excitement was cut short by the flag of the assistant referee on the far side.
Shortly afterwards, second half substitute, Clement Brown hit the upright with a free kick and the Titans scrambled clear again, riding their luck as the siege continued.
Eight minutes before full time Rodney got by Huntley Watson and just as he was about to shoot the big defender pulled him down inside the box and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Rodney got up and took the spot kick himself, blasting his shot straight down the middle ala Frank Lampard of Chelsea, to put the Roosters ahead once and for all.
The final whistle brought an end to a dominant display by the Roosters who were deserving winners.
Two goal hero, Oshane Rodney spoke with Yardie Sports after the win: “It feels good,” he said of the win. “We worked hard and it has paid off. “
“In the final we will try to play our usual passing game, try to score early and dominate the game like we did today, regardless of who we play. Come Friday, the best team will win.”
Head Coach Dorlan Hunter was full of praises for his team, “This wasn’t one of our better games but it just goes to show the quality of our team…we were able to come away with the victory.
“I must commend Obryan Leighton for his contribution off the bench today. This team really deserves to be in the finals, we have worked really hard for this. This coaching staff put a lot of effort into breaking down the Titans before kickoff so even though the playing conditions didn’t suit our style of play the adjustments that we made to cope with what the Titans had to offer made the difference,” Hunter concluded.
The Roosters will contest their first ever final, which will be played on Friday November 30th at 7:00pm.
Photo: Oshane Rodney scored both goals for the Roosters in the semi-finals
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