Gerald Meloney got the decisive goal as Cunupia FC battled past Queen's Park Cricket Club (QPCC) for a 2-1 win in the T&T Super League Cup final at the Arima Municipal Stadium on Sunday night.
Going into the match as underdogs due to the suspension of the Super League’s top-scorer Kevon "Showtime" Woodley, Cunupia showed it was up for the task against the Parkites and took the lead in the 20th minute through Michael Darko from the penalty spot.
The Parkites drew level also from the penalty spot via their own top striker Devon Modeste in the 34th to set up an interesting second half.
In the end, Meloney’s 61st-minute goal secured the crown for Cunupia and a first win in three attempts against its opponent this season.
For the Parkites, it was the second time this season they had to settle for another runner-up finish after losing out in the title race to FC Santa Rosa.
Earlier this month, Cunupia made certain FC Santa Rosa would not add to its league triumph with a 4-3 penalty-kicks win after a pulsating 3-3 full-time draw at the same Arima venue.
Kevon Cornwall fired Santa Rosa ahead in the first minute, only for Woodley to get Cunupia back on level terms in the 22nd from the penalty spot. However, two minutes later, Giovanni Abraham restored Santa Rosa’s slim lead.
Darko then drew Cunupia level again in the 31st minute and a minute into time added on at the end of the first-half, Woodley, the league’s top scorer put his club ahead for the first time.
The second half was a much more cagey affair with both clubs struggling to add to their tally, until Noel Williams banged home an 83rd minute equaliser for Santa Rosa to keep outgoing coach Derek King, who will be off to Canada to link up with former national coach Stephen Hart, hopes of a second title this season alive.
But it was not to be as in the penalty shoot-out, Cunupia showed better nerves and firm finishing to edge the match, 4-3.
In the other semifinal, QPCC ran out a comfortable 3-0 winner over Petit Valley/Diego Martin United with Rashad Griffith scoring in the 23rd minute, before Devon Modeste netted a double in the 41st and 67th minutes.