North East Stars’ intentions of a top three finish in the 2012-2013 Digicel Pro League Championship picked up a boost on Tuesday night at the Ato Boldon Stadium when the Sangre Grande club edged defending champions DIRECTV W Connection 1-0.
With just three matches remaining in the Championship, and the Angus Eve-coached Stars now in third with 31 points after swapping positions with Connection (29 points) who dropped into fourth on the ladder, the Sangre Grande club now has to hold on.
Elijah Manners stunned Connection in just the 16th minute of play when he headed North East Stars in front with precise technique off Kevon Villaroel’s quick cross from the left to beat goalkeeper Alejandro Figueroa who had little chance at near post for a 1-0 score.
Figueroa later made a shutout to deny a curling ked a Kerry Baptiste in the 29th minute, and four minutes later the Colombian goalie blanked Cornell Glen.
However upfront his teammates weren’t able to pull a goal back as the Stars held on for the crucial three points.
Meanwhile at the Marvin Lee Stadium, fifth positioned Central FC weren’t unable to get past seventh positioned St. Ann’s Rangers.
Darryl Trim had Central in front before the break with a 42nd minute item, but Cameron Roget’s 68th minute goal tied the match at 1-1 until the final whistle.
Central currently stands with 27 points after 18 matches and Rangers an unsatisfactory 11 points.
While at the top of the ladder, Defence Force stands with 40 points after defeating Police FC 2-0 in their Round Three Match Day Four fixture on Tuesday night, and second positioned Caledonia AIA whipped bottom of the table T&TEC FC 4-1 to keep chase with 36 points.
Digicel Pro League Championship
Round Three Match Day Four Results.
W Connection 0—1 North East Stars
Elijah Manners 16’
St. Ann’s Rangers 1—1 Central FC
Darryl Trim 42’ ; Cameron Roget 68’
Teams.
W Connection—Alejandro Figueroa, Joevin Jones (capt.), Daneil Cyrus, Gerrard Williams (Yellow Card), Hashim Arcia (Jerrel Britto 65th), Christian Viveros (Yellow Card), Andrei Pacheco (Clyde Leon 65th), Leslie Joel Russell, Stefano Rijssel, Jomal Williams (Neil Benjamin 72nd), Kurt Frederick.
Unused substitutes—Aquelius Sylvester, Elijah Joseph, Alvin Jones, Tremain Shayn Paul.
Coach—Stuart Charles Fevrier.
North East Stars—Cleon John (capt.), Kareem Moses, Kerry Baptiste (Keithy Simpson 74th), Kevon Villaroel, Elijah Manners, Cornell Glen (Yellow Card) (Gary Glasgow 90th), Jayson Joseph, Kaashif Thomas (Jeromie Williams 70th), Glenton Wolfe (Yellow Card), Kennedy Hinkson, Keryn Navarro.
Unused substitutes—Adrian Foncette, Akiel Guevara, Gary Glasgow, Jean-Luc Rochford, Shane Hospidales.
Coach—Angus Eve.
Match Referee—Codero Gould.