St. Ann’s Rangers attacker Devon Modeste crushed a resurgence effort by T&TEC FC on Friday night at the Larry Gomes Stadium when his injury time penalty strike ended the Digicel Pro League Round Two Match Day Four clash in a 1-1 draw.
T&TEC needed a more than a reasonable 1-1 result, to restore the confidence of many, coming off a miserable 4-1 defeat against underdogs Police FC before the Christmas break last month.
And Coach Dexter Cyrus probably thought he was on the way to victory by the 68th minute when ace signing Kerry Baptiste controlled a well placed Sylvester Teesdale pass inside the area and slammed a shot past goalkeeper Shane Mattis.
But in the 92nd minute time referee Rodphin Harris awarded Rangers the penalty when Modeste went down inside the area in challenge for the ball against defender Kern Peters, leaving Cyrus and his charges in total disagreement.
Shortly after Modeste converted past goalkeeper Marvin Phillip, the final whistle was blown and substitute Kevon Neaves was shown a direct red card by Harris for verbally abusing the official on his way off the pitch, which means the centre forward still working on retaining match fitness will miss T&TEC’s next League fixture.
Despite the disappointment of dropping points against Rangers, T&TEC returned to the top of the standings with 15 points—the same amount as Adam’s Construction San Juan Jabloteh and W Connection but ahead only by a slim goals difference.
In the second clash of the Super Friday double header at the Malabar venue, Jabloteh stunned rivals W Connection to a second 2-0 League victory this season with midfielder Marvin Oliver and Willis Plaza both netting second half headed goals putting the Earl Carter coached side into second while Connection dropped two spots down into third.
Rangers made upward movement on the ladder occupying fifth spot with its one point earned against T&TEC with 9 points and had two good second half opportunities to find the back of the net.
But in the 48th minute December/January transfer window addition Cameron Roget, casually placed a shot directly at goalkeeper Phillip after a good buildup by the Anthony Streete coached side and in the 80th minute, Keron Alexander was denied by the crossbar after striking a wonderful half volley from just inside the area.
T&TEC’s goalscorer Baptiste, was also denied by the crossbar after holding off Alexander on the 52nd minute and unleashing a solid strike out outside the area.
His former Joe Public teammate and newest addition to the T&TEC roster, Andre Tousaint failed to open his account just two minutes on when he clattered a shot wide.
And in the 27th minute T&TEC standout Andre Pacheco hammered a left footed strike wide of Mattis’ far post and in the 60th minute from a much better opportunity inside the six yard area, he guided his effort overbar.
On Saturday Police FC hosts Caledonia AIA at the Ato Boldon Stadium and Defence Force against DIRECTV North East Stars at the Larry Gomes Stadium with 5pm kickoff times to complete the Round Two Match Day Four fixtures.
St. Ann’s Rangers 1—1 T&TEC FC
Devon Modeste 90’+1 ; Kerry Baptiste 65’
Teams
St. Ann’s Rangers—Shane Mattis, Mikhail Awai (capt.), Theon James (Hector Sam 70th), Kareem Moses, Larry Bacchus, Elijah Belgrave, Devon Modeste, Kaashif Thomas, Cameron Roget, Keron Alexander, Akil Clarke
Coach—Anthony Streete
T&TEC FC—Marvin Phillip, Romauld Aguillera (capt.), Brenton De Leon, Kerry Baptiste (Kevon Neaves 67th) (Red Card), Andrei Pacheco (Marcus Ambrose 67th), Anthony Noriega, Sylvester Teesdale (Yellow Card + Yellow Card), Kern Peters, Andre Toussaint, Aubrey David, Akeem Adams
Coach—Dexter Cyrus