Second half goals by Devon Jorsling, Richard Roy and Kevon Carter against Caledonia AIA on Friday night extended Defence Force’s winning streak to three in as many matches this season.
The soldiers are now with 9 points, maintaining themselves as current leaders of the 2010 Digicel Pro League Championship following their impressive 3-0 victory over Caledonia AIA of Morvant/Laventille at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Jorsling who missed the target 20 minutes into the match, broke the deadlock in the 68th minute directing Richard Roy's square pass past goalkeeper Graham for a 1-0 advantage for the Soldiers, after captain Corey Rivers turned Theobald twice before sending a cross at the far side towards Roy.
Carter and Jorsling then teamed up with Roy, who made it 2-0 in the 75th minute blasting past the Caledonia goalie from the edge of the six yard area.
Carter then failed to beat the Caledonia number one, who surprisingly carries the same name as the Army number one, Kevin Graham in the 88th minute hitting a tame half volley from a Kerry Joseph cross. The Jamaican goalie dived to his right pushing the effort away.
But in injury time, the Caledonia custodian couldn’t do the same as Carter found the back of the net slipping the ball past Graham’s right after running between the Caledonia defence to meet Jorsling's through pass for a 3-0 victory.
Carter was also just wide of the near upright after taking on defender Ismael Daniel early in the second period.
Caledonia dropped to fifth from third, by goal difference, following the defeat on Friday night. North East Stars remained second behind Army with 5 points, followed by W Connection, FC South End and Caledonia all with three points.
But it was Caledonia who provided the early threat, when in the 5th minute Army defender Keston Williams was forced to chest away Shawn Beveny's cross which came dangerously close, but it was sent safely wide of the upright with two attackers rushing in at the back post.
Caledonia had a set piece opportunity in the goalless first period which was taken by Ryan Stewart in the 27th minute from 26 yards out only to direct the effort at Graham who wrapped it up easily.
Defence Force themselves had a few openings of the first half, when Jorsling struck wide in the 20th minute with a low shot from inside the area.
Teammate Jerwyn Balthazar later saw his shot on goal blocked out for a corner by defender Kemron Purcell as Caledonia held off a couple quick Army attacks just before the break.
Digicel Pro League Championship Match Day Three continues on Saturday with San Juan Jabloteh against Ma Pau SC from 4pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium, W Connection and FC SouthEnd against each other from 5pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium and Joe Public visits Tobago United from 5pm at the Dwight Yorke Stadium.
Caledonia AIA 0-3 Defence Force
Devorn Jorsling 68', Richard Roy 75', Kevon Carter 90'+
Caledonia AIA—Kevin Graham, Stephan David (capt), Densill Theobald, Walter Moore, Daneil Cyrus, Kareem Joseph (Yellow), Nuru Abdallah Muhammed, Ryan Stewart (Kerry Daniel 82nd), Shawn Beveny (Jean-Luc Rochford 82nd), Kemron Purcell, Ishmael Daniel (Hayden Vincent 77th).
Coach—Jerry Moe.
Defence Force—Kevin Graham, Corey Rivers (capt), Keston Williams, Devin Jordon, Devon Jorsling, Kevon Carter, Jerwyn Balthazar (Kerry Joseph 73rd), Sean Narcis (Yellow), Dexter Pacheco (Rodell Elcock 64th), Aklie Edwards, Richard Roy (Owen Matthews 87th).
Coach—Ross Russell.
Rangers, Stars share points
Despite being outclassed by DIRECTV North East Stars supporters, St. Ann's Rangers made certain that the Sangre Grande visitors didn’t leave the Hasely Crawford Stadium a happier bunch.
Both sides played to a goalless Round One Match Day Three draw in front of a decent crowd during the Super Friday clash.
North East Stars were hoping to keep close on the heels of leaders Defence Force with a victory, however they maintained their second place position in the Digicel Pro League standings with five points, while the Soldiers earned 9 points to remain on top the table following an impressive 3-0 victory over Caledonia AIA in the second clash on Friday night at the Port of Spain venue.
In the meantime, Rangers just like Stars coming off a draw in their previous match, welcomed their one point to move up a spot on the standings in eighth position with 2 points.
Stars' forward Sean Frazer had the first real chance of the match, but he failed to hit the target in the 37th minute, spilling wide from above the area.
And moments before the break former Rangers hero, Errol McFarlane playing against his hometown club for the first time this season failed to have a crack at goal with two openings.
Rangers' only chance of the first period was in the 43rd minute when midfielder Adrian Narine tried his luck from distance with a low shot, but was off target.
In the second period, Rangers' goalie Daurance Williams was forced to make a save in the 56th minute after a shot came in off Jason Devenish's corner from the right—palming it out for another corner.
Stars’ second half introduction Akeil Guevara made his presence felt hitting just wide from above the area after picking up a loose ball in the 71st minute, and four minutes later his neat cross forced goalkeeper Williams to rush into action and punch the ball away.
Both sides stretched each other in search of the right opening, however it seemed unlikely.
Eleven minutes from time, Rangers midfielder Adrian Narine was inches overbar with a blast from distance, and they were later denied a winning item for what was deemed offside.
In the 82nd minute, after a great buildup Kaashif Thomas' low cross was finished by substitute Beville Joseph heading onto the upright, and into the net. But to Rangers disbelief, the official’s flag went up disallowing the item ruling that Joseph was offside.
Stars then failed to steal victory in the final minute of regular time when late substitute Arnold Dwarika directed a low tame shot at goalkeeper Williams who had already committed himself on the ground after a bad pass by his defence.
St Ann's Rangers 0—0 North East Stars
St Ann's Rangers—Daurance Williams, Devon Modeste (capt), Elijah Belgrave, Javon Wilson, Kaashif Thomas, Josimar Belgrave, Al-Vaughn Downes (Kwame Wiltshire 72nd), Odelle Armstrong (Beville Joseph 66th) (Yellow), Joseph Peters (Yellow), Adrian Narine, Akil Clarke (Clevon McFee 88th).
Coach—Anthony Streete.
North East Stars—Michael Woods, Leslie Fitzpatrick (capt), Carlos Gonzales, Brent Sancho, Marc Leslie, Jason Devenish (Gary Glasgow 85th), Sean Frazer (Yellow) (Arnold Dwarika 86th), Charles Pollard, Glenton Wolfe, Errol McFarlane, Carey Harris (Akeil Guevarra 64th).
Coach—Rod Underwood.