Lions still ‘King of the Jungle’…
..but Jabloteh, Connection maintain pressure.
With: Joel Villafana.[/size]
The ‘Eastern Lions’ of Joe Public escaped with another narrow 1-0 victory and have remained top of the Pro League standings after round 21.
Joe Public came away with their 2nd consecutive 1-0 win—this time a 72nd minute Gary Glasgow header was enough to defeat a plucky Defence Force 1-0 in the first match of a double header at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.
The ‘Men from Macoya’ began the encounter leading the standings by two points—with Jabloteh and W Connection hot on their heels—and after the match Mike Mc Commie’s men ensured things remained the same.
After a goalless first half, which Joe Public dominated and should have taken the lead, but the upright denied their Jamaican striker Roen Nelson in the 34th minute.
However with time running out—Public found the back of the net just in the nick of time as is becoming the norm.
This time it was a beautifully worked move down the right—the ‘Eastern Lions’ engineer in midfield Arnorld Dwarika provided the spark, as he sped down the flank, whipped in superb cross, and Gary Glasgow flew in from nowhere and headed home powerfully.
Joe Public coming away with maximum points—moving to 47 points—and remains top of the pack.
In the 2nd match of the double header at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium—United Petrotrin also came away with a 1-0 win over San Fernando Starworld Strikers.
Sylvester Tesedale struck the crucial blow for the ‘Oilmen’ in the 55th minute that decided the match.
Meanwhile across in Tobago—Vibe CT 105 W Connection held off bottom of the pack Tobago United to come away 2-1 winners at the Dwight Yorke Stadium.
W Connection established a 2-goal advantage—with Christopher Harvey scoring in the 15th minute—and on the other side of the half Andrei Pacheco doubled up in the 51st.
The home team struck back in the 90th minute through Matthew Williams—but it was too little too late—Tobago United having to settle for another defeat, while W connection solidifying their 3rd place position moving to 40 points and staying in the hunt behind Jabloteh and Joe Public.
Whitley’s Hattrick scorches Superstar Rangers As expected San Juan Jabloteh cruised to a 5 – 2 victory over Superstar Rangers on Friday’s second game of a double header at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva in the TT Pro League Round 21 match.
The ‘San Juan Kings’ making themselves very popular on the night registering four goals in the 23rd,24th,26th and 33rd minutes of the first period of play, lead by World Cup midfielder Aurtis Whitley.
Whitley, Jabloteh’s star player, opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when his deflected shot in the penalty area scored off the upright leaving Rangers goalkeeper Shurland Awai furious with his defence.
Kerry Baptiste wasted no time, one minute later he blasted a long range shot from the right flank beating a clueless Awai to double the score.
Terri Fenwick’s men on a roll, and they continued to push forward when Whitley slammed in a shot from a Daniel Nigel’s well worked pass in the six yard area, Jabloteh up 3-0.
A burst from the hardworking Kerry Noray in the 33rd minute took the score to 4-0 in the first half.
Whitley scuffed a chance to register his hattrick in the first half when Nigel Daniel played across a ball in the penalty area, it was well dummied by Anthony Wolfe—it fell to nicely for whitley, but he lashed it high over the crossbar.
Superstar Rangers had their moments as Josimar Belgrave, Todd Ryan and Shem Mc Farlane all had chances at goal, but they were all well handled by Jabloteh’s goalkeeper Daurance Williams.
Jabloteh resumed play in the second half in attack mode as Trent Noel, Kerry Noray, Anthony Wolfe and Whitley all frustrated the Rangers defence.
Whitley’s hattrick finally came in the 68th minute when he took his time to blast his shot past goalkeeper Awai after receiving a pass from Noray—Jabloteh wrapping this one up establishing a 5-0 lead The St.Anns boys were not ready to give up as skipper Lorne Joseph led his men by example in midfield working extra time with some brilliant plays teaming up with Belgrave, Mc Farlane and Marlon Bowen.
Rangers struck in the 68th minute when substitute Errol Mc Farlane’s free kick from 25 yards flew past motionless goalkeeper Williams.
The Jabloteh number one had no chance in the 77th minute when Josimar Belgrave worked his way through midfield and rifled a his shot just beneath the crossbar—reducing the deficit.
Rangers were awarded a penalty in the last minute of time when captain Lorne Joseph stepped to the spot only to have his shot parried away for a corner as the game came to an end. Terry Fenwick’s men celebrated another victory as they attempt to jump League Leaders Joe Public.
Fire burn Grande Stars.
With: Joel Villafana.
Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA Fire strengthened their mid-table position with a workman like 1-0 win over North East Stars in the first game Pro League double header at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on Friday.
Caledonia was first to get into stride when talented young striker Kendall Jagdeosingh latched on to a loose ball as early as the 3rd minute and blasted past star keeper Shane Mattis in the North East goal, with a stunning left footed shot.
Caledonia could have doubled that lead in the 15th minute but Kareem Joseph shot was weak after being given the ball by North East captain Charles Pollard. After this North East stars began to come into the game and should have equalized in the 21st minute but Kendall Velox hit over bar from 10 yards out.
The 2nd half saw North East press for the equalizer and in the 55th minute Shandell Samuel missed a golden opportunity having rounded goalkeeper Woods but he hit over bar from a tight angle.
The game got increasingly physical & in the 60th minute former national player Stokley Mason was booked for a foul on Jason Cudjoe.
Shane Mattis North East goal keeper had an excellent game making big saves in the 69th and 72nd min form shots from Cudjoe and Randanfah Abu Bakr respectively.
Nigel Pierre almost got his name on the scoresheet in the 90th, but was thwarted by keeper Mattis. In the end Caledonia held on for the win in what was an absorbing game to move to 33 points and strengthen their hold on fifth position on the ten-team table.