NORMAN FORDE and Paul “Soup” Lovell lit the flames for a comfortable 2-0 victory by Phoenix UFO Toyota Fire House on a chilly Sunday night at the National Stadium where Scotty’s Combined Stars failed to shine.
And Broad Street Men And Women Red Tridents found a late shopper in substitute Wyatt Maynard to oust Conquerers 1-0 and secure a spot in the November 20 semi-finals of the LIME Pelican Football Challenge.
Maynard’s header over goalkeeper Adrian Chase from a long throw by Omar Archer in the second minute of injury time, dealt the previously unbeaten Conquerers a harsh exit from the competition.
The victory, Red Tridents’ first in the tournament, couldn’t have come at a better time, setting up a semi-final showdown with another brand-name clothing outfit, Nu Look 360 Connection.
Before Maynard’s decisive goal, both teams came close to scoring but were denied by the goalbars.
A 35-metre shot by Tridents’ wing back Corey Barrow, who had a good match on the left side, crashed onto the right post while a header from Conquerors’ experienced midfielder Rudi Grosvenor also rebounded off the crossbar.
Rondelle Vaughan also kicked a low left-foot shot wide of the right post after receiving a brilliant pass from his Red Tridents’ midfield partner Romelle Burgess, while John Hawkesworth, headed over after getting in between the Conquerors’ defence.
Veteran goalkeeper Vasco Husbands also denied Conquerors with two back-to-back saves, first parrying a shot from young midfielder Raheim Sargeant, who deflected off a crowded defence, and followed up by blocking Diquan Adamson’s attempt off the rebound.
That encounter set the stage for the final quarter-final in which the Stars seemed more occupied with questioning some of the decisions of referee Edwin Adams, who tried to keep tempers from flaring by lecturing to the players rather than issuing a number of yellow cards.
Striker Tristan Parris was once again a livewire up front for the Stars as he battled away with the imposing Barry Skeete and Oscar Nero, who opted to play deep in defence.
Timothy Walrond also had an impressive game in defence, admirably supporting his two more illustrious Fire House teammates.
Stars had a golden chance to open the scoring on a breakaway play but teenager Romario Harewood selfishly shot wide, instead of crossing the ball to an unmarked Jemar Parris.
Walrond’s more heralded brother Lovell gave Fire House a 1-0 lead in the 38th minute, powerfully volleying a loose ball from the edge of the penalty area, high in to the nets, giving goalkeeper Kareem Farrell no chance.
At the other end, Tristan Parris showed his skill with a delightful chip but Fire House’s goalkeeper Jason Boxill read the script well and tipped the ball over the crossbar for a corner.
Then on the stroke of half-time, Forde made it 2-0, collecting a pass from the hard-working Sherwin Daisley and drilling a low left-foot shot, past the right of Farrell’s into the far corner.
As Forde and his teammates raced onto the cycle track to celebrate, the Combined Stars players and bench weren’t at all pleased, questioning whether the referee’s assistant had lifted his flag for a handled ball by Daisley.
Jeremy Bradshaw came on with 15 minutes left and tried to get the Stars to at least flicker, along with fellow substitutes, oldstager Jefferson “Butler” White and his sibling Sheldon White, but it was a little too late.Fire House’s semi-final opponents will be the unbeaten José y José Bajan Pride Ballers.
