Tobago edged in Grande.
By: Lasana Liburd (Express).
Stars struck.
Three outings and as many wins. Economy North East Stars coach James McLean looked at the fixture list, two weeks ago, and predicted a nine-point haul for the Sangre Grande team and he was good as his word. Yesterday afternoon, the Stars edged Tobago United 1-0 in T&T Pro League action at the Sangre Grande Recreational Ground for their third triumph from as many matches.
The result kept the Stars in fifth place ahead of Superstar Rangers, who gunned down Police 4-3 in Couva yesterday, and in line for the close season Big Six tournament. Stars owner Darryl Mahabir should be reasonably satisfied with his team's standing although they have rarely been easy on the eye this year.
Vincentian veteran Kendall Velox rescued another scrappy affair for Stars at their uneven, windswept ground, which places a higher premium on tenacity than technique.
Midway through the second half, Velox volleyed into the far corner after teammate Anthony Wolfe headed down a freekick from his brother and captain Glenton Wolfe.
It is likely to be Anthony's last meaningful contribution for his hometown club before he heads to United States' outfit, Atlanta Silverbacks. The move might suit both parties.
Eleven games into the 2007 Pro League campaign, Anthony is still awaiting his first goal while national under-23 striker Kendall Jagdeosingh, who has four items this term, remains marooned on the left flank.
Last season, Anthony regularly tormented opposing defences for CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh as he barged his way into Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker's 2006 World Cup squad.
There has been little evidence of that decisiveness in front goal from Anthony this year although, to his credit, he has not been found wanting for fitness or commitment.
Tobago's central defensive combination of Warren Phillips, George Dublin and Jamal Jack play the type of robust game that turns playboy playmakers into Christians. Anthony struggled but so did Stars' striker and human battering-ram, Randolph Jerome.
At the other end, Tobago forward and Jerome's Guyanese compatriot, Collie Hercules, fared slightly better but chances were hard to come by.
Kerron Phillips tested Marvin Phillip with a header off a Hercules free kick in the 51st minute, while he came even closer with two swerving corner kicks off his left boot that needed to be cleared from the near post by the Stars defence.
Tobago coach Peter Granville must have winced when Stars went ahead from the set piece route in their first purposeful attack of the second half through Velox in the 66th minute.
McLean had sent his troops out in a 3-4-3 formation after the interval and immediately leaned towards caution after Velox's strike. It meant that Jagdeosingh was withdrawn from the forward line and reinstated on the left side of the Stars midfield.
Anthony did get himself in referee Rasby McPhie's notebook but it was a caution for a word out of turn. He would hope for better fortune in North America.
The Stars could do with some luck themselves after successfully completing fixtures against Police (twice) and Tobago. Caledonia AIA, Jabloteh and W. Connection are next.
Teams
North East Stars: - Marvin Phillip, Errol Charles, Glenton Wolfe (capt), Kendall Velox, Keryn Navarro, Keston Pierre, Andre Charles (Akeil Guevara), Kendall Jagdeosingh, Marc Leslie (Shervin Charles), Randolph Jerome, Anthony Wolfe.
Tobago United: - Andrew Durant, Warren Phillips (capt), George Dublin, Jamal Jack, Kevin Adams (Pierre Joseph), Julio Fernandez, Keon Samuel (Nyon Orr), Kerron Phillips, Garvin Mc Kenna, Collie Hercules, Kayode Legall.
Teams
Police FC: – Ryan Edwards, Randy Harris, Devon Bristol, Jason James (Akiba Peters 85th), Anthony Campbell, Alexander Bruno (Terryl Elwin 45th), Kieon Wilson (Jamal Clarence 70th), Dwight Elliot, Christopher Sam, Noel Williams, Adrian Nunez.
Superstar Rangers: – Jhonny Ortiz, Nigel Henry, Christon Thomas, Coneal Thomas, Marvin James (Elijah Belgrave 70th), Kerwin Cooper (Ricardo Aleong 70th), Devon Modeste (Arnold Ferguson 85th), Josimar Belgrave, Marc Borde, Milton Gomez, Errol McFarlane (capt).
Full Results From Sunday
North East Stars 1 (Kendall Velox 65) vs Tobago United 0.
Superstar Rangers 4 (Errol McFarlane 34-pen, 42, 75, Josimar Belgrave 76) vs Police FC 3 (Adrian Nunez 23, 56, Terryl Elwin 63.
