Defence Force edge Pro League champs.
By: Lasana Liburd (Express).[/size]
Public crash at Marabella.
There were two notable accidents in southern Trinidad on Friday night that might influence the fate of the T&T Pro League competition to varying degrees.
The first was a smash-up that involved a sedan, required the expertise of the Fire Service and prompted vehicular traffic for miles on the Solomon Hochoy Highway.
The second was a self-inflicted goal by defending Pro League champions, bmobile Joe Public, in a controversial 1-0 Lucozade Big Six loss to Defence Force at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, that conceded vital ground in the domestic title chase to present leaders, CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh. Some might say the two events bore a direct connection but more of that later.
Public began Friday's fixture--their penultimate game of the season--level on points with Jabloteh but enjoying a superior goal differential. But Friday's defeat returned Jabloteh to the steering wheel after the San Juan outfit beat North East Stars 2-0 at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.
There are only two vehicles in the Pro League race now as Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA dropped out of contention after a 3-1 defeat against Vibe CT 105 W Connection at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, also on Friday.
Spare a thought, though, for the unfortunate driver whose accident sparked a ripple effect that might have affected Public's title defence.
Only 20 people made it through the traffic in time for kick off-half that number comprised media representatives and Public reserves- and the delayed personnel included match referee Neil Brizan.
It meant that match duties for the vital fixture fell to obscure fourth official, Michael Mohammed.
Two points became clear early into Mohammed's stint in the middle. The middle-aged gentleman was never going to get within ten feet of the action and he planned to use his whistle as little as possible.
It was hardly surprising then that, when the game's decisive moment came in the 51st minute, it sparked heated arguments from 22 players on the field and their accompanying technical areas.
It is uncertain how much consolation Public took from the fact that Mohammed got his most crucial decision correct.
Defence Force midfielder Kevon Carter whipped a cross into the Public area towards teammate Devon Jorsling and referee's assistant Ainsley Rochard immediately flagged for offside. But the ball never reached Jorsling. Public defender Seon Power stuck his leg out to intercept and, inadvertently, deflected past his own goalkeeper.
Mohammed initially took his cue from his assistant but, after protests that the offside Jorsling had not interfered with play, quickly overruled himself.
Public introduced talented Guyanese striker Gregory Richardson off the substitutes' bench but it was the Army-Coast Guard combination that came closer to the second goal through the dangerous Jorsling.
It was tough luck for Power, whose close season form has been tremendous, while the "Eastern Lions" played the final minutes with just ten players as midfielder Kerry Noray, a superb mid-season acquisition from Caledonia, was carried off the field after a blow to his shin.
Public players have endured several run-ins with the Pro League disciplinary committee in the past fortnight but they might have a case regarding the conduct of the Defence Force "ball boys".
Once the protective services were ahead, only one time from seven occasions did the soldiers offer the ball to the players after it had left the field and that was to allow Defence Force a quick throw with the Public keeper Jacomeno Barrett hurrying back to his goal area.
Otherwise, Public players had to sprint on to the cycling track and beyond to retrieve the ball themselves. It was questionable sportsmanship from the victors while Public might have felt more comforted by Brizan's presence too, although there is no evidence that either situation cost them the three points at stake.
The late Public surge towards the Pro League crown was impressive and could still succeed if Jabloteh slip on Tuesday. If not, memory of Friday night's accident will live long at Joe Public's base in Macoya.
Teams:
Defence Force:[/b] — Selwyn George, Anton Pierre (capt), Keston Williams, Michael Edwards, Christopher Durity (Ronald St. Louis 71st), Devorn Jorsling, Kevon Carter, David Alleyne, Anton Joseph, Ronald Boyce, Richard Roy (Dexter Pacheco 83rd).
Coach: — Kerry Jamerson.
Joe Public: — Jacomeno Barrett, Dale Saunders (capt), Kerry Noray, Lyndon Andrews, Jason Springer (Kendall Davis 78th), Roen Nelson, Kerry Baptiste, Devon Leacock (Gregory Richardson 59th), Kendall Jagdeosingh (Arnold Dwarika 65th), Seon Power, Keyeno Thomas.
Coach: — Michael Mc Comie.
Goal-Scorer: — Seon Power (own goal) 51.
