Sidebar

28
Thu, Mar

Typography

Bmobile Joe Public moved closer to capturing the 2009 Digicel Pro League championship with a 3-1 comeback win over challengers and two-time defending champs San Juan Jabloteh on Tuesday night at the Marvin Lee Stadium in a rescheduled clash.

Leading goalscorer Kerry Baptiste registered a goal on either side of the half taking his personal League tally to 34 goals giving the Derek King coached side the advantage after Marvin Oliver had given Jabloteh the opening.

Baptiste first half item levelled the scores just before the break with a header at far post and he scored from the penalty spot in the second half before Hayden Tinto wrapped up the scoring in the closing stages to maintain Joe Public’s unbeaten run against the San Juan based club this season.

Joe Public could take the Digicel Pro League championship for the second time in four seasons on Saturday if they could register a win against Caledonia AIA of Morvant Laventille from 6:30pm at the Marvin Lee Stadium before next Tuesday’s final League match against W Connection.

Joe Public are leading the way with 50 points, followed by Jabloteh with 45 points, Caledonia in third with 43 points, W Connection fourth with 41 points, Ma Pau SC fifth with 35 points and Defence Force with 32 points in the 2009 League championship.

Joe Public are also atop the Big Six standings followed by W Connection, Jabloteh, Caledonia, Ma Pau SC and Defence Force in that order following Tuesday’s 3-1 over Jabloteh.

Marvin Oliver headed in an Anton Hutchinson cross from the right in the 18th minute for a 1-0 advantage after slipping ahead of defender Carlyle Mitchell to loop the ball past an advancing Alejandro Figueroa.

Oliver was close to becoming provider in the 36th minute when his cross from the right towards Jerrel Britto inside the area was cut off by Joe Public defender Seon Power for a corner.

Oliver had a go at goal in the 39th minute from a freekick 20 yards out after Noel Williams went down after clashing with Power. But the midfielder’s curling effort at goal was well off target.

Joe Public then levelled the scores 1-1 in the 43rd minute after numerous raids on the Jabloteh defence.

Ace goalscorer Kerry Baptiste climbed behind the Jabloteh defence to meet Micah Lewis’ early cross from the right to head past Cleon John at near post for his 33rd League item.

Early inside the second period teenaged Jabloteh forward Jerrel Britto had two shouts for penalties however they were both waved on by referee Shane De Silva and linesman Lyndon Burton.

However Jabloteh defender Glenton Wolfe didn’t receive such luck when Micah Lewis went down inside the area in the 55th minute under his challenge as De Silva pointed to the spot with little hesitation.

No other than Baptiste stepped to the opportunity and guided the ball onto the upright before it nestled into the back of the net to beat a full stretched Cleon John for a 2-1 advantage.

Joe Public pressed on for the comfort item and had a couple openings in the 65th and 67th minutes through Yu Hoshide and Baptiste.

Jabloteh coach Earl Jean responded with the legs of Lester Peltier in the 67th minute replacing Britto in hopes of the equalizing item.

Jabloteh were close to equalizing in the 85th minute when Noel Williams out climbed the Joe Public defence to head a Jason Marcano freekick on goal however it was brilliantly pushed out by Figueroa.

But on the other end in a very callous manner a minute later goalkeeper Cleon John’s clearance clashed onto Hayden Tinto’s boot just inside the area and rolled comfortably back into an open net for a 3-1 Joe Public win.

Joe Public 3—1 San Juan Jabloteh
Kerry Baptiste 43’, 57’, Hayden Tinto 86’ ; Marvin Oliver 18'.

Joe Public—Alejandro Figueroa, Kerry Baptiste (capt.), Keyeno Thomas (Yellow), Kareem Young (Yellow), Seon Power, Carlyle Mitchell, Keion Goodridge, Trent Noel, Yu Hoshide (Devon Leacock 77th), Micah Lewis, Hayden Tinto.

Coach—Derek King.

San Juan Jabloteh—Cleon John (capt.), Anton Hutchinson (Yellow), Noel Williams, Marvin Oliver, Ataullah Guerra (Jason Marcano 81st), Elton John (Yellow), Dennis Lawrence, Glenton Wolfe, Robert Primus, Sheldon Bateau, Jerrel Britto (Lester Peltier 67th).

Coach—Earl Jean.

Referee—Shane De Silva.