Kerry Baptiste attempting to break Nixon's goal record
By Randy Bando (ttproleague.com)Jerren Nixon's Pro League record of 36 goals in 2004 League run for North East Stars could be broken this season by the in-form Bmobile Joe Public attacker Kerry Baptiste.
Nixon's 36 goals were instrumental in North East Stars triumph back then winning the 2004 League Championship before a career ending knee injury forced the Trinidad and Tobago international into retirement.
In 2009 the name Kerry Baptiste has been more than a regular on scoresheets netting a high of 30 goals in 21 matches thus far.
"I have a lot of big goals this season. I want to create a new goalscoring record and help my club win the League Championship," said Baptiste.
Baptiste is coming off back to back World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Mexico with the Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team headed by Coach Russell Latapy and assistant coach Dwight Yorke. The Warriors lost against Costa Rica 4-0, but a double by Kerry Baptiste earned his team a 2-2 draw against Mexico. Baptiste took his tally to 3 goals in 4 appearances during T&T's 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Meantime Joe Public head coach Derek King—the youngest coach in the League at age 28 and a former T&T international himself—will be hoping that his attacker will be coming back into his squad and continue a strong goalscoring form in upcoming Big Six matches.
Joe Public are atop the standings by just one point with 44, ahead of Caledonia AIA of Morvant Laventille and four points ahead of third positioned W Connection.
Baptiste's most recent item was against Ma Pau SC in a 3-1 win two Sundays ago in Round Three Match Day One of the Digicel Pro League—the Big Six round.
Baptiste needs seven goals in four matches against tough upcoming opponents Defence Force, San Juan Jabloteh, Caledonia AIA and W Connection.
“It’s the game of football and once the opportunities come my way I will put them away,” said Baptiste. “I’m saying it’s possible. I have been putting away chances and once they come my way it will be no different.”
Baptiste’s Joe Public will be against Defence Force on Saturday from 6pm at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium. Next Tuesday Baptiste will be against his former club San Juan Jabloteh from 6pm at the Marvin Lee Stadium from 6pm in a rescheduled Round Three Match Day Two fixture of the Big Six.
Upcoming fixturesThursday 15 October 2009Rescheduled Round Three Match Day One fixture—Big Six
Larry Gomes Stadium
Defence Force vs San Juan Jabloteh—6pm
Saturday 17 October 2009Round Three Match Day Three—Big Six
Mannie Ramjohn Stadium
Defence Force vs Joe Public—6pm
Larry Gomes Stadium
Caledonia AIA vs San Juan Jabloteh—6pm
Marvin Lee Stadium
Ma Pau SC vs W Connection—6pm
Tuesday 20 October 2009Rescheduled Round Three Match Day Two fixture—Big Six
Marvin Lee Stadium
Joe Public vs San Juan Jabloteh—6pm
