Sheldon stunner as Caledonia hold Jabloteh.
By: Lasana Liburd (Express).[/size]
Sheldon Emmanuel proved to be Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA's saviour yesterday evening as the "Eastern Stallions" held CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh 1-1 at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.
Jabloteh have taken to calling themselves the "San Juan Kings" in recent times but it is Caledonia who are warming the 2007 Pro League throne at the moment and, on yesterday's evidence, they are in no hurry to abdicate.
Jabloteh, who were stunned 3-1 by Police last weekend, looked to have reclaimed top spot but for a last gasp Sheldon Emmanuel free kick that sent the Caledonia bench into raptures.
Caledonia remain first with 40 points from 19 games-one more than Jabloteh.
In yesterday's other Pro League results, Economy North East Stars whipped Tobago United 2-0 in Bacolet while Superstar Rangers thrashed Police 4-0 in Macoya.
Bmobile Joe Public, the defending champions, and Defence Force also saw action last night against United Petrotrin and Vibe CT 105 W Connection, respectively.
Both games were played after press time.
It was Caledonia's meeting with Jabloteh that looked like having the biggest impact on this year's title race, though.
Caledonia coach Jamaal Shabazz would certainly like to think so as his troops held the two-time local professional champions in Couva.
The result was arguably a fair reflection of the fixture as Caledonia came closest to opening the score summary in the 40th minute-Anthony Abrams struck an upright-but found themselves trailing after powerful Antiguan striker Peter Byers struck with a fine left footed finish, 15 minutes into the second half.
Shabazz retorted by introducing the attacking trio of Conrad Smith, Carlyle Mitchell and Hayden Tinto. Fenwick, who is without the suspended Aurtis Whitley and absent trio of Lester Peltier, Atullah Guerra and Khaleem Hyland, sent on the more obscure figures of Jason Cudjoe-a fringe player for Caledonia last year-and Elijah Manners.
Caledonia's added impetus eventually broke the Jabloteh resistance even though it took a deflected last minute set piece to undo the men in green.
This weekend's Caribbean Football Union (CFU) under-15 tournament would ensure that Caledonia savour their elevated position for another week and a half while Jabloteh dare not drop points in their next fixture against bitter rivals, W Connection.
Shabazz, a notable poacher of talent on the less glamorous Caribbean isles, would bless the day he first laid eyes on St Lucian enigma, Emmanuel.
Strong and quick, the left footed defender, who inherited the team's captaincy from departed "Soca Warrior" Densill Theobald, does an effective job in central defence, left back, left wing back or midfield. Emmanuel can play in the technical sense but it is his competitive spirit and remarkable appetite for victory that sets him apart from most.
His desire sometimes seems too much for even him to control. Emmanuel wrestled Jabloteh full back Cyd Gray to the ground, 14 minutes into the match, in a desperate but clumsy effort to regain possession and, two minutes later, Emmanuel was fortunate to get the benefit of referee Russell Casimire's doubt after he stepped on the back of Jabloteh's World Cup player, Cornell Glen.
He made more constructive use of his will to master the opponent on the stroke of regulation time, though, as his belted 30-yard strike clipped the Jabloteh wall and wrongfooted goalkeeper Cleon John, who got a hand to the ball but could not match Emmanuel's desire for goal. Caledonia might look back on the importance of that goal in months to come.
Caledonia AIA: - Richard Reynolds, Howard Lowe, Sheldon Emmanuel, Charles Pollard, Walter Moore, Stephan David, Sean Bishop (Conrad Smith), Dwight Peters, Sterling Arjoon, Anthony Abrams (Hayden Tinto), Randanfar Abu Bakr (Carlyne Mitchell).
San Juan Jabloteh: - Cleon John, Cyd Gray, Carlon Murray, Marcelle Francois, Ian Gray, Trent Noel, Wendell Joseph (Elijah Manners), Elton John, Jason Marcano, Peter Byers, Cornell Glen (Jason Cudjoe).
Full PFL Results:
Tobago United 0 v North East Stars 2 (Randolph Jerome 19, Carlon Hughes 69)
Caledonia AIA 1 (Sheldon Emmanuel 90) v San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Peter Byers 60)
Defence Force 2 (Richard Roy 37, Michael Edwards 63) v W Connection 0
Superstar Rangers 4 (Tod Ryan 33, Shem Mc Farlane 83, Josimar Belgrave 85, Marc Borde 89) v Police F.C. 0
Joe Public 1 (Gregory Richardson 34) v United Petrotrin 2 (Beville Joseph 57, Sylvester Teesdale 89)