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WASTEFUL Keion Wilson eventually netted the game's winner to give Spain Slappers a hard-fought 2-1 win over Flippers in a Group One match in the Eddie Hart Football League (EHFL) in Tacarigua on Wednesday.

Playing the feature game of the night at the Eddie Hart Savannah (EHS), Wilson came on as a substitute to miss over a handful of simple chances before blasting home a rebound from close range to give Slappers three valuable points to help them stay in step with leaders Arsenal and Valtrin United.

Both teams were victorious the night before (Tuesday ) at the same venue.

On Wednesday, after a tame first half without any strikes, both clubs improved in the second period and provided the small crowd with some excitement.

Shaquille Long beat the Slappers custodian to give Flippers the lead with fewer than 15 minutes to go. Their first win of the season from three games seemed on the cards.

But prospects of a maiden win soon disappeared when referee Joshton Thomas awarded a penalty to Slappers that did not go down well with the Flippers players and the audience around the EHS.

Akeil Paynter stepped up and converted the spot kick before Wilson drove home the winner after the Flippers defence failed to clear their lines on three occasions, following a point-blank save by their goalkeeper, who had a good time between the uprights.

On Tuesday, former champions Valtrin United and newcomers Arsenal scored impressive wins to take charge of Group One.

In the first game of a two-match schedule, Valtrin powered their way past Temple United 6-1 to move to ten points and into second spot on goal difference over Slappers.

Arsenal (15 points) maintained pole position in the group with their fifth straight success of the season, following a deserved 3-1 win over a probing CAPS 98 unit, who lacked finishing power.

The win gave the Santa Cruz boys a five-point advantage over their closest rivals at the top of the standings.

Akeel James, Anderson Chandler and Dwayne Gilbert netted to give Arsenal their hardest three points thus far.

The game was level at 1-1 going into the break, which was justified given the play in the first period.

On the resumption, Arsenal showed real resilience as they absorbed sustained pressure from a probing CAPS line-up before hitting them on the break several times. Two counter-attacks resulted in goals.

Nothing should be taken away from CAPs, who were always in the game but their strikers let them down. It was their second straight defeat in three games, following a 6-0 drubbing of Flippers to start the season.

In the night's opener, Valtrin had it all their way against Temple United who hardly created a goal-scoring opportunity during the 80 minutes.

In other scores, ES Madrid beat Petit Bourg Youths 2-0 in Group Two on Monday night, with goals from L Hunte and Kurt Austin. On the same card, Paradise FC stopped 1TTR 3-2 in action from Group Three. C Thomas, C McFarlane and J Belgrave scored for Paradise. Aron Refier and Antonio Jordan replied for 1TTR.