Despite posters such as King Deese still describing the Pro League as poor, todays fixtures again delivered up an exciting evening of football entertainment.
Police F.C. vs Caledonia AIA 6pm Ato Boldon
Ok, not the most exciting fixture on paper, but this game is played on grass!
Both teams are pretty much fighting for a 6th place finish, but you would have thought more was at stake by the way the game was played. Police haven't been too bad most of the season, but they did hit a slump which maybe prevented them challenging for 3rd or 4th spot.
Lately, they've been playing a bit like Constable Plod, eking out results without any verve, but tonight, especially in the first 20 minutes, they were more like the fabled Flying Squad. They must have had three decent one vs ones in the first 10 minutes. Sadly, all 3 attempts looked like pass backs, with the keeper not really threatened. But the point is, Police were actually producing free flowing attacking football!
Caledonia too, had some nice breaks and also fluffed a one vs one.
But it wasn't a surprise when Lewis put Police ahead and deservedly so.
Both teams didn't appear to field their strongest teams, but the game was well contested. Caledonia equalised in 35th minute with their Lewis jumping on the score sheet.
The game wasn't as riveting in the second half. Police brought on club captain Todd Ryan around 70 minutes but he didn't have much impact. Caledonia kept pushing and Keyon Edwards popped home the winner with around 5 minutes left.
Caledonia 2 - 1 Police F.C.
My main talking point was that the Police keeper wore an orangy-red jersey which was uncomfortably similar to Caledonia's jerseys. A couple of weeks ago a goalie wore a green jersey playing against Jabloteh. Again, the greens were different shades, but aren't keepers, like officials, supposed to clearly stand out? Only two or three seasons ago, Jabloteh forfeited a game because their red socks clashed with Ma Pau's!
Spoke to the referee today. She said she ordered the keeper to change his shirt but he didn't have a spare so rather than call off the game she allowed the jersey to be used as it was similar, but not the same. Fair enough.The main event tonight was Defence Force vs Point Fortin
Point needed to win to stay in touch with 2nd, 3rd or 4th place. Army needed to win to grab 2nd or even 1st spot.
People, this was a fantastic game. And let me say that the man of the match was referee Neil Brizan. I don't think he made a bad call. And the game was ferocious at times with heavy challenges all over the field. But Brizan recognised the passion in the game and mostly kept his cards in his pocket.
Both teams started of fast, but Civic looked the more dangerous and you could see that goals would be scored. Modeste put the Southerners in front with a neat header and you felt that Point would add to their total. Marvin Phillip made some important stops and looked unbeatable.
!0 minutes into the second half and Point doubled their lead, with a goal from former Central defender, Wesley John. That looked to be 3 points in the bag, but Army hadn't read the script. Less than 10 minutes later, Jorsling dragged a goal back. Momentum in football is a powerful weapon (as Central discovered when they lost a 2-0 lead to W.Connection)and less than two minutes later Josimer Belgrave equalised. Now it really was game on and both teams pushed for the winner. Joseph (I think) hit the post with a cracking shot and Phillip produced more heroics. Players were being stretchered off in all directions as the intensity continued. The game was settled with the exotically named Balondemu Julius finding the net for Army, but there was still 15 minutes of excitement left before Brizan blew his whistle.
Defence Force 3 - 2 Point Fortin
Now, that momentum thing could work for Army who are 10 points behind Connection with 3 games in hand and at least one game to play against Connection. Army are 3 points behind Central with 2 games in hand, while North East are tied with Point Fortin, but have a game in hand. This league could be won by calculators at the end of the season!
Another great night of Pro League football. Coming next this weekend - Lucozade Shield quarter finals (draw takes place tomorrow)