'Couva Sharks' undefeated in seven consecutive league games
Ato Boldon Stadium, COUVA – Ataullah Guerra converted from the penalty spot on Wednesday to earn leaders Central FC a 1-0 win over Caledonia AIA in their Round Two Match Day Three clash of the Digicel Pro League championship.
The win restored Central's six-point lead – now with 8-2-1, 26 points – ahead of second positioned and defending champions DIRECTV W Connection (6-2-2, 20 points).
Also with Wednesday's win, the Zoran Vranes-coached Central celebrated their fourth consecutive win in seven straight undefeated league outings.
While the Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Guerra celebrated his seventh goal of the DPL this season to tie with goal scoring leader Kerry Baptiste.
Guerra, from the spot in the 27th minute, struck the ball to the left of goalkeeper Shemel Louison, and although the Grenada international 'keeper got glove to the ball, it wasn't enough to stop the ball from entering the net as Central partied a 1-0 advantage.
Referee Keilon Bacchus had awarded Central the penalty after Jameel Neptune bundled Jason Marcano to ground in an attempt to deny the midfielder a shooting opportunity from close up.
It wasn't until the 81st minute, however, that Guerra had an opening against his former employers but dragged his right footed effort wide of the far post.
Half hour earlier Central defensive signing, Jamaica international Upston Edwards, had an excellent chance of scoring on debut but the 25-year-old headed over bar from Jason Marcano's left side corner.
Caledonia, led by assistant coach Jerry Moe in absence of technical director/head coach Jamaal Shabazz, did well to limit Central but failed to take advantage of their rare scoring opportunities.
Guyana international Pernell Schultz had the seventh placed Caledonia (3-2-5, 11 points) best chances in the first half but was denied by goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams in the 6th, 32nd and 38th minutes.
Shabazz, currently on international duty with the Guyana national team preparing to face Barbados in a friendly on February 1, will also be absent for Caledonia's Round Two Match Day Four fixture against third placed Defence Force (5-2-3, 17 points) on Friday 30 January from 8 pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
Earlier on Friday fourth placed North East Stars (5-2-4, 17 points) will take on fifth placed Play Whe San Juan Jabloteh (4-4-3, 16 points) from 6 pm at the Couva venue.
The action continues on Saturday when cellar placed St. Ann’s Rangers (0-1-10, 1 point) meet W Connection from 3:30 pm at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, and on Sunday with sixth placed Police (3-5-3, 14 points) against Central from 6 pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
Round Two Match Day Three Results
Caledonia AIA 0 vs Central FC 1 (Ataullah Guerra 27' pen)
Teams
Caledonia AIA: 1.Shemel Louison; 8.Keron Bethelmy (4.Conrad Smith 90th), 18.Trayon Bobb, 10.Hayden Tinto (26.Nicholas Mercano 65th), 12.Kareem Joseph (C), 9.Keyon Edwards, 16.Pierre Hitner, 28.Pernell Schultz (32.Kyle Bartholomew 80th), 5.Christoper Mejia, 22.Jameel Neptune, 23.Jamil Joseph
Unused substitutes: 31.Kyle Adams, 60.D'Eandre Villaroel (GK)
Coach: Jerry Moe
Central FC: 21.Jan-Michael Williams; 29.Upston Edwards, 45.Ataullah Guerra (19.Nathaniel Garcia 83rd), 12.Jamal Jack, 7.Jason Marcano (77.Rundell Winchester 87th), 15.Kaydion Gabriel, 8.Sean de Silva (C) (11.Darren Mitchell 77th), 33.Willis Plaza, 4.Uriah Bentick, 2.Elton John, 17.Marcelle Francois
Unused substitutes: 30.Akel Clarke (GK), 99.Dwight Quintero, 14.Jean-Luc Rochford, 24.Kevon Villaroel
Coach: Zoran Vranes.
Upcoming Round Two Match Day Four Fixtures
Friday 30 January 2015
North East Stars vs San Juan Jabloteh—6 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium
Caledonia AIA vs Defence Force—8 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium
Saturday 31 January 2015
St. Ann's Rangers vs W Connection—3:30 pm, Manny Ramjohn Stadium
Sunday 01 February 2015
Police FC vs Central FC—6 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium