Caledonia climbs to the top after 3-2 win over Joe Public
28/07/2009 -
Caledonia AIA of Morvant Laventille are the new leaders of the 2009 Digicel Pro League following a superb 3-2 victory over Bmobile Joe Public on Tuesday night at the Marvin Lee Stadium.
Caledonia are at the top for the first time with 28 points thanks to goals by Kareem Joseph in the 9th minute, Charles Pollard in the 80th minute and substitute Kerry Daniel in the 85th minute.
The Jamaal Shabazz coached side is now two points clear of former leaders San Juan Jabloteh while Joe Public sit in third with 25 points despite a goal by leading man Kerry Baptiste in the 31st minute and an injury time item by Keyeno Thomas.
In other Round Two Match Day Three results Defence Force moved up into sixth with 17 points following a 2-0 win over FC SouthEnd in the first match of an Ato Boldon Stadium double header. Jerwyn Balthazar opened the scoring in the 24th minute and Devorn Jorsling made is 2-0 in the 30th minute for their victory.
In the second match at the Couva venue St Ann’s Rangers rebounded after conceding an early Hayden Jones goal in the 3rd minute to beat Police FC 2-1 thanks to strikes by Adrian Narine(13th minute) and Devon Modeste(30th minute) to jump two spots into eight with 11 points.
And Ma Pau SC maintained fourth with a boosted 23 points following their 2-0 win over Tobago United after goals by Trevin Caesar and Anthony Wolfe a minute apart in the 69th and 70th minutes respectively.
But in the highlight match on Tuesday it was end to end action from very early with Trinidad and Tobago head coach Russell Latapy teasing the fans at the Macoya venue with his brilliance.
Kareem Joseph opened the scoring in the 9th minute to Caledonia’s joy when he unleashed a shot out of nothing from distance and former Caledonia goalie Michael Woods between the Public uprights allowed the ball to slip through his hands and into the back of the net as Caledonia enjoyed an early 1-0 advantage.
Russell Latapy had a great opening in the 21st minute from above the six yard area off a cross from the left only to shoot directly at goalkeeper Woods and a couple minutes later Keon Daniel had a decent effort from distance that whisked wide of the Joe Public upright.
Joe Public never dropped their heads despite Caledonia’s charge and got the equalizing item in the 31st minute for a 1-1 score through their most prolific striker Kerry Baptiste—now with 19 goals in the League—who latched onto a spill by Dwayne Sandy who made a blockout on Akiel Guevara’s shot.
Kerry Baptiste had a chance to put his team ahead in the 40th minute after turning his way past Caledonia goalkeeper Sandy and two onrushing defenders but his curling effort on goal was cleared off the line Kester Jacobs.
Joe Public stepped up their intentions in the dying stages of the first half only to be denied on a couple occasions by Sandy. His best blockout came in the final minute of the half denying Micah Lewis who brilliantly weaved his way past three defenders to unleash a shot on goal.
Four minutes into the second period and Joe Public were at it again but goalkeeper Sandy was in their way measuring Akiel Guevara’s blast from distance with a brilliant blockout.
Russell Latapy was the most influential for Caledonia and opened up way for Keyon Edwards who flopped at a golden opportunity—one of his many on the night—hitting wide of the far upright.
Latapy himself had a shot on goal in the 58th minute however it lacked pace and direction. Latapy was replaced in the 71st minute by another pair of experienced legs in Kendall Velox.
Coach Jamaal Shabazz then replaced the ineffective Keon Edwards with Kerry Daniel twelve minutes from time in search of the winner.
And they got one minute later from a set piece in which captain and defender Charles Pollard headed past Woods after the Joe Public goalie hesitated to challenge the loose ball and allowed 2-1 score in Caledonia’s favour.
Substitute Kerry Daniel then added Caledonia’s third item for a 3-1 score in the 85th minute with a wonderful strike from distance sending the Marvin Lee Stadium into a carnival atmosphere.
Joe Public reduced the deficit 3-2 in the injury time through defender Keyeno Thomas who met Daniel Cyrus cross to beat Sandy however that was the best in their attempt for a comeback as time wasn’t in their favour.
Round Two Match Day Three results
FC SouthEnd 0—2 Defence Force
; Jerwyn Balthazar 24’, Devorn Jorsling 30’
Ma Pau SC 2—0 Tobago United
Caesar 69’, Anthony Wolfe 70’ ;
Police FC 1-2 St Ann’s Rangers
Hayden Jones 3’ ; Adrian Narine 13’, Devon Modeste 20’
Joe Public 2—3 Caledonia AIA
Kerry Baptiste 31’, Keyeno Thomas 90+’ ; Kareem Joseph 9’, Charles Pollard 80’, Kerry Daniel 85’
Joe Public—Michael Woods(gk), Kerry Baptiste(capt.), Keyeno Thomas, Jason Springer, Marvin Manswell(Y)(Conrod Smith 84th), Micah Lewis, Akiel Guevara, Dale Saunders(Jean Luc-Rochford 46th), Yu Hoshide(Daniel Cyrus 67th), Marcus Joseph, Kareem Moses
Coach—Derek King
Caledonia AIA—Dwayne Sandy(gk), Charles Pollard(capt.), Stephan David, Kester Jacobs, Keyon Edwards(Kerry Daniel 78th), Russell Latapy(Kendall Velox 71st), Kareem Joseph, Akim Armstrong(Y)( Abdallah Phillips64th), Walter Moore, Keon Daniel, Densill Theobald
Coach—Jamaal Shabazz
written by Randy Bando
