Humble Lion ambush Barbican 4-0 in midweek eyesore

In an affair lacking trademark football grace and style, Humble Lion roared to a 4-0 thrashing of downtrodden Barbican in their Red Stripe Premier League game at Barbican field yesterday.

Jermaine Fletcher led the midweek stroll with a well-taken brace in the fifth and 23rd minutes, while Sean Coleman (17th) and Devon Hodges (33rd) completed the first-half blitz that kept the home team entombed at the bottom of the 12-team league with 15 points.

Humble Lion, out of Clarendon, gained three vital points that should give them a whiff of oxygen as they surged to 22, but will remain in the bottom half of the standing irrespective of results elsewhere.

The Donovan Duckie-coached Humble Lion entered the contest in a precarious ninth position, but yesterday’s goal spree would have certainly boosted morale, even though it may not have ensured a well-needed shot up the ladder.

In yesterday’s hard-to-digest contest where both outfits failed miserably to excite, Humble Lion were more predatory than they were artistic. And Barbican, the league rookie, were easy prey.

A comedy of defensive errors was their undoing, but a hungry Humble Lion were not complaining and licked their fingers at the prospect of what was turning out to be an easy meal.

With little resistance — especially in the first 45 minutes — Fletcher, Coleman, Hodges and Ricardo Cousins effortlessly penetrated the Barbican backline and could have sunk their teeth deeper into their paralysed opponents.

But Barbican, down four goals and in what appeared to be a spot of hopelessness, sprung back to life in the final 30 minutes or so of the contest with enterprising attacking play from Akeem Brown and Lennox Russell, but their new lease on life was a deed too little, too late.

Teams: Barbican FC — Nicholas Campbell, Mario McDonald (Keno Simpson 59th), Ramone McGregor, Akino Bailey, Shawn Lawes, Shavon Charlton, Dadrian Dixon (Jermaine Parris 36th), Nicholas Smith, Lennox Russell, Akeem Brown (Dean Phillips 80th), Andrew Christie

Subs not used: Ashek Taylor, Okive Blake, Shennar Parkinson, Kemar Thomas

Booked: Lawes (36th), Charlton (79th)

Humble Lion — Damion Crooks, Ajuran Brown, Ricardo Campbell, Jermaine Christian, Sean Coleman (Denzil Watson 53rd), Hugh Howell, Fabian Pascoe, Ricardo Cousins (Omar Walters 80th), Dwayne Campbell, Jermaine Fletcher (Narado Brown 68th), Devon Hodges

Subs not used: Garth Heron, Roberto Fletcher, Odane Brown, Shavon Campbell.

Booked: None

Referee: Danean Parchment

Assistant Referees: Princess Brown, Nicholas Anderson

Fourth Official: Leon Brown

Match Commissary: Margaret Sutherland

– Sean Williams

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Humble Lion ambush Barbican 4-0 in midweek eyesore

Resurgent Waterhouse humble Rivoli

BY HURBUN WILLIAMS Observer writer

Wednesday, January 14, 2015    

THE Waterhouse resurgence continued with a 4-1 hammering of Rivoli United in their Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) encounter at Drewsland on Sunday.

Jermaine ‘Tuffy’ Anderson led the way with a goal in each half, and he was complemented by Damarley Samuels and Romario Campbell with second-half goals.

Davion Garrison pulled one back for Rivoli United.

Playing with a renewed passion, which was missing in recent times and thus culminated in three consecutive defeats, Waterhouse withstood an early 20-minute blitz from Rivoli United before Anderson rose above their defence to squeeze a header past a surprised goalkeeper Damian Campbell, at his first post.

Realising that Rivoli United were playing with the passion and tenacity that could erase the narrow lead, Waterhouse wasted little time in increasing the lead when Samuels beat Campbell for the second time in the match.

While Rivoli were mulling over what hit them for not making better use of the numerous opportunities that they created, Anderson increased their agony with a classic left-footed strike that Campbell could only watch go by.

Coach Anthony Patrick introduced Campbell to the fray, but no sooner the wily midfielder made his entry Rivoli United pulled on back through Garrison.

But that only flattered to deceive as the Waterhouses Campbell quickly restored the three-goal margin by poking the ball past his namesake in goal for Rivoli following a neat exchange between himself and defender Oshane Roberts.

Patrick thought that scoring eight goals in their last two matches was a good sign for continued success in the RSPL.

“That 1-0 loss against Tivoli Gardens and the meeting we had the Monday afterwards made the difference.

“The players were made to understand that they were falling short of what was expected of them. They have since made the adjustment and started to play football again, hence eight goals in two games,” he added.

Rivoli coach Calvert Fitzgerald, a former coach of Waterhouse, was graceful in defeat as he congratulated Waterhouse for doing what his players failed to do and that was “accepting the chances that came our way in the first 15 minutes of play” when Rivoli missed not less than five clear chances.

“But that is football. When you get the early chances to put away the game and you fail to do so, then the opposition capitalise on our errors and come out victorious.

“Despite this I thought we played a fantastic game. Even though it might appear difficult to make the claim getting 4-1, seeing we created so many opportunities,” Fitzgerald said.

Teams: Waterhouse FC — Kelso Cousins, Oshane Roberts, Rohan Amos, Nicholi Finlayson (Omar Walcott 73rd), Hughan Gray, Damarley Samuels, Evan Taylor, Tremaine Stewart, Andre Leslie (Romario Campbell 65th), Jermaine Anderson (Nathaniel Leslie 81st), Juvaune Benjamin

Subs not used: George Brown, Marlon Laing, Deandre Brown, Rayon Squire

Booked: None

Rivoli United FC — Damian Campbell, Kevin Graham, Troy Moulton, Jermaine Henry, Keith Wright, Jeremy Nelson (Anthony Greenland 81st), Kemar Bennett, Ross Burton (Kenny Lee 74th), Davion Garrison (Andrew Black 74th), Cory Burke, Kemar Beckford

Subs not used: Shannon Bartley, Zavian Williams, Valentine Gardener, Jermaine Whyte,

Booked: None

Referee: Courtney Campbell

Assistant Referees: Princess Brown, Stacy-Ann Grayson

Fourth Official: Odette Hamilton

Match Commissary: Garfield McDonald

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Resurgent Waterhouse humble Rivoli

REMEMBERING TRINIDAD’S FORMER MINISTER OF SECURITY - Legacy of a humble man

Wednesday, January 07, 2015 | 2:56 AM    

The Editor:

The tragic news came from a telephone call at 8:44 A.M. this morning that Martin Joseph passed away. The news had me stumped. I then called his house and could not get confirmation of his death. I subsequently telephoned Andre Monteil, a long standing friend of mine at whose home in Tobago, Martin was vacationing.

Monteil was in a shaken state. He said Joseph, one of his best and closest friends, had died after they had finished exercising.  He said Martin went for a swim. The rest of the story after that was too tragic to recall.

The tears rolled from my eyes. My friends Peter George and Peter Albert were simultaneously on my home phone and cell phones, when a what’s app message with a picture of Martin lying motionless on the sand popped open. It was the trigger for the crying I tried to keep inside. Uncontrollably, I wept openly for my dear and closest friend, Martin Rupert Joseph.

Our relationship goes back 22 years from his time as Chairman of the Public Transport Service Corporation PTSC and NIB. Martin and myself struck up a relationship after discovering that despite what people said about him, in fact he was a dedicated, honest, and hardworking professional, who was a far cut above the average. Deadlines meant something to him, and he was always about getting the job done, not seeking praise.

We subsequently developed a professional relationship after we worked on a successful general election campaign consultancy in Grenada in the late 1990’s.

After that we came together to work on the Mayaro general elections campaign in 2002, after Franklin Khan had lost twice to Winston Gypsy Peters. The team of Martin Joseph, Andre Monteil and myself made this seat the most valued and heavily battled seat in the country, as it was seen as the link to PNM winning government. When the smoke cleared, Mayaro was won, the PNM since then has not been able to retain the seat, defaulting back to Mr. Peters.  However, Mayaro was key to holding government, and with that victory a lot was achieved after regaining office.

PNM was able to double the GDP of Trinidad and Tobago leading to a surge in the quality of life among the citizenry in the country.  That era ushered in revolutionary policies such as free treatment for HIV patients, who before were left to rot and die on our streets, free drugs for the entire population suffering with chronic diseases, free tertiary education, expansion of Foreign Direct Investment in the oil, gas and petro chemical sectors, a heritage and stabilization fund was introduced for the first time in our history.

Martin always said that these were positive achievements for a developing country, a little late but necessary, if we were to bring people out of feeling hopeless and debilitated. He said that the 2002 election was important because it facilitated and allowed these positive developments to occur, which he was satisfied would benefit Trinidad in the near future.

Since 1998 Martin and myself worked closely and consulted on several elections in Barbados, Local Government Elections in Trinidad, and THA elections, and sundry other activities, too many to mention.

Martin and I worked closely in the Ministry of Housing where he was able to develop and implement a comprehensive national Housing Policy which eventually built 27,000 homes, the most by any Minister or administration since Independence. We worked closely at the Ministry of Public Utilities, and through SWMCOL was able to treat with landfill management issues by re-establishing proper waste disposal infrastructure and systems. The idea of a fire burning at a landfill had stopped by 2003 under the then tenure of Mr. Ray Brathwaite then Executive Chairman of SWMCOL.

Last, but not the least, was our stint at the Ministry of National Security, where he attempted to bring about change by trying to transform the entire law enforcement system.

Martin always said that it is easy to condemn in public, but it does not augur well for those on the receiving end of such criticism, as it ultimately makes the organization look bad, and affects positive outcomes and performance.

He preferred to take the ire of negative public opinion, than give in to the demands of the gallery. His famous quote was to “Praise in public” but “criticize in private”. He lived by that mantra. He also believed in the old saying “walk softly and carry a big stick”. Martin was an eternal diplomat.

Many did not know he was Chair of CICTE, the OAS Department for Counter Terrorism, and while there was able to achieve a lot and earned the respect of regional leaders.  He always involved us in work beyond our pay grade

But Martin also helped shaped CARICOM Security Policy, which was not really cohesive, by developing policy eventually leading to the formation of CARICOM IMPACS, the regional security apparatus.

Our time at National Security was difficult. A lot of unfortunate criticism was levelled at Martin, some because it was political, others because of his loyalty to the leadership of the PNM.

Martin and I had our differences. We stopped talking to each other for two years until I got a call from him late one night after a thief had broken into his flag staff home and held him up at gunpoint.  He was petrified, but showed bravery and managed to overpower the criminal and escaped being shot.

I was surprised to be among the first persons he called. I immediately went down to his home.

From then onwards, at least once or twice per month, when I am in Trinidad, we would meet.

Martin was a forthright individual. He had few close friends namely; Richardson Franklin (Former Special Technical Adviser for National Security) Andre Monteil, Mariano Browne and myself. But he had many acquaintances and skilfully kept people in compartments.  Martin remained dedicated to the PNM, believing that the party was a source of personal empowerment and accomplishment for Trinidad and Tobago as a Nation.

My dear friend, we have fought many battles together, victorious on all occasions. You are gone now to a better place, may your great legacy of honesty, fortitude, humility, temperance, and strength of purpose transcend to a better society and world.

Your friend,

David Fraser

David Fraser, a Journalist and Communication Consultant, is Chairman of The Angellus Foundation in Trinidad and Executive Consultant at MSPACE Ltd., a regional project management organization.

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REMEMBERING TRINIDAD’S FORMER MINISTER OF SECURITY - Legacy of a humble man

Will Maxwell awake Humble Lion from its slumber?

CLARENDON, Jamaica — Last season, when Geoffrey Maxwell was brought to Effortville Community Centre, 17 games into the Red Stripe Premier League campaign, he was given a mandate to save Humble Lion from relegation. But, deep down, his ultimate ambition was to achieve more.

His pride and credibility wouldn’t allow him to simply aspire for a place in the lower half of the 12-team standing. In the end, however, that’s exactly what he had to settle for, as Humble Lion could only manage to carve out a ninth-place finish.In his very first media interview as Humble Lion coach, Maxwell said he was baffled that the team is sitting at the foot of the table because “quite frankly, I think they are much better than a lot of the teams in the league”.Based on that statement, finishing ninth might feel somewhat like a failure for a man who has coached more Premier League teams than any of his colleagues. But, it wasn’t.Immediately after securing crucial points against Sporting Central Academy at Brancourt, Maxwell did not shy away from telling the media that surviving the drop with Humble Lion, with one game to spare, was indeed a success.“Mission accomplished!” he said. “I was given a job to keep the team in the league and we did just that.”One week later, Maxwell, speaking on local television, again made it known that he was hoping to achieve a bit with the central Clarendon club. He noted that had he been at Humble Lion from the start of the season, the team would have finished much higher up on the table.Now, given the opportunity to take charge of the team from beginning, there’s no prize for guessing where Maxwell’s ambitions lie this season.That the format of the competition has now been changed to a hybrid of a league and knock-out will only serve to enhance Maxwell’s ambitions. He knows once they are able to finish in the top eight at the end of the third round, when the knock-out phase begins, they will be in with a genuine shot of winning the title.Not many outside of the club’s diehard supporters will, however, expect Humble Lion to be genuine title contenders. The fact is, Humble Lion are no longer the club that they were four seasons ago – dipping into the transfer market to buy players at will.Last season, they clearly demonstrated that they are now looking to go about club development in a more conservative manner, by relying more on home-grown talent. “That was always my plan,” club president Mike Henry told the Jamaica Observer at the time. “The first season we were trying to stay in the league, so we needed experience. Last season (2011-12), we showed that we belonged; we were the only rural team in the top six, so now we need to build for the future.”Whether that will work for or against coach Maxwell is a question that will be answered as the season progresses.What should work in his favour, however, is the fact that he has had a full pre-season with the team, which should give him a clear idea of the resources he will have at his disposal.Apart from the departure of a few fringe players, Humble Lion have pretty much retained the core of last season’s team, which wasn’t the kind of team to run circles around opposing teams. They were more of an efficient unit, priding itself on being difficult to beat. And not much is expected to change this season.Sporting Central midfielder Kadian Wynter (right) moves away from Humble Lion’s Omando McLeod in their opening Red Stripe Premier League fixture, last season at Effortville. (PHOTO: OSHANE TOBIAS)

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Will Maxwell awake Humble Lion from its slumber?