Byers bags double as Central drubs Police; T&TEC registers second win against Rangers

And simultaneously at the Ato Boldon Stadium, cellar positioned T&TEC FC registered only its second league win with Sylvester Teesdale netting in as early as the 5th minute, and Tigana Sparks late in the 90th minute for a 2-0 win over seventh positioned St. Ann’s Rangers.

Ironically the ‘Electric Boys’ only other win came against Rangers, 3-2 back in Round One, and suffered a 1-0 defeat against the St. Ann’s club in Round Two.

T&TEC remained slumped at the bottom despite and improved 8 points, 2 points ahead of Rangers (10 points).

Back at the Macoya venue, Police remained winless against Central. The ‘Central Sharks’ defeated the ‘Lawmen’ 1-0 in Round One and played to a goalless draw in Round Two.

Wolfe opened the scoring in as early as the 12th minute for Central when rightback Carey Harris’ thumped ball forward bounced in his favour, to execute a deft header over a misplaced goalkeeper Anthony Marshall.

Byers then took advantage of the shaky Marshall in the 23rd minute for Central’s second item.

The powerful Antiguan forward was set goal-bound with an excellent Jason Marcano through-ball before slipping a casual strike through the legs of Marshall for a 2-0 cushion.

Three minutes later Oliver executed a perfectly placed penalty strike inside the base of the upright against Marshall for a 3-0 Central lead after referee Joel Davidson awarded the spot kick following a foul on Darrell Mitchell by Kareem Perry just inside the 18-yard area.

Police then pegged a goal back in the 29th minute when Jameel Perry guided an Anton Hutchinson cross from the left, past goalkeeper Marvin Phillip to reduce the deficit 1-3.

Police searched for another but Todd Ryan was denied by Phillip, and shortly after, Central defender Harris had to clear an effort away from goal.

However Central added a fourth item by the 34th minute with Byers completing his double by guiding in a Johan Peltier cross past Marshall from inside the six yard area as the Terry Fenwick coached-Sharks enjoyed a 4-1 score before the break.

Seven minutes inside the second period referee Davidson was forced to point to the penalty spot a second time, this time in favour of Police, ruling that Hutchinson was fouled by defender Omar Charles.

Police midfielder and team captain Ryan stepped up and buried the opportunity into the net for a 2-4 score with Phillip picking the wrong side. That was it in terms of a comeback by the ‘Lawmen’ later failing to defensive lapses by the Couva-based club.

Central meantime, failed to find the target in the second half despite having great openings.

Two minutes after the break, Byers spanked in a low pass into the six yard area but teammate Anthony Wolfe’s was let down miserably by his poor first touch with the goal at his mercy. And in the 86th minute Byers was denied by a Marshall save after being played into the area by Marcano.

Marcano too had a go at goal in the 90th minute from a great Central buildup, but was denied by the crossbar after hooking a strike over Marshall as Central settled for the 4-2 result.

Teams

Central FC—Marvin Phillip (capt.), Keion Goodridge, Anthony Wolfe, Marvin Oliver (Yellow Card), Peter Byers, Carey Harris, Darrell Mitchell, Omar Charles (Yellow Card) (Jameel Neptune 56th), Jason Marcano, Weslie John, Johan Peltier (Hayden Tinto 71st).

Coach—Terry Fenwick.

Police FC—Anthony Marshall (Yellow Card), Todd Ryan (capt.), Karlon Murray, Anton Hutchinson (Yellow), Trent Noel, Kareem Perry (Kerry Fredericks 66th), Dexter Alleyne (Christon Thomas 40th), Noel Wiilliams, Jameel Perry (Makesi Lewis 74th), Elijah Belgrave, Kemron Purcell.

Coach—Richard Hood.

Full Digicel Pro League Round Three Match Day Two results

T&TEC FC 2—0 St. Ann’s Rangers
Sylvester Teesdale 5’, Tigana Sparks 90’

Central FC 4—2 Police FC
Anthony Wolfe 12’, Peter Byers 23’, 34’, Marvin Oliver 26’(pen)  ;  Jameel Perry 29’, Todd Ryan 52’(pen)

Defence Force 0—1 North East Stars
Cornell Glen 16’

Caledonia AIA 1—0 W Connection
Nathan Lewis 74’