A night of upsets!
The games were pushed back by 1 hour due to the overrun of the national athletics preparations for the Calista games. Also, teams had to use the dressing rooms at Jean Pierre as the HC ones are under repair!
St Anns Rangers 3 -2 Caledonia
Rangers took the lead with a sublime chip from near the halfway line by their number 10. Really can't remember much about the game as I was trying to de-stress by babysitting before the Central F.C. game!
I know that the number 10 scored a second goal and the game was tied 2-2 until late when Rangers got their winner. As usual, Rangers played with gusto and verve (no, not two foreigners drafted in) and I felt they deserved the win.
North East Stars 2 - 1 Central F.C.
All credit to North East who came out of the stalls with winning on their minds. Right from the kick off by Central, the ball was given away and Stars nearly scored. Caesar bagged his first after 4 minutes through horrendous defending by Benjamin and Central looked like they were still in the dressing room (which was quite a distance away). Inside 20 minutes and it was Caesar 2 Central 0 with Benjamin, again, looking like the villain.
Central failed to get a foothold though they had many attacks, but their usual clinical finishing had deserted them and pulled on a North East jersey.
Half time couldn't come too soon for The Sharks and Fenwick made two decisive changes when he removed Benjamin and Delice and replaced them with de Silva and Mitchell. From the restart, Central looked more like Sharks with teeth with a lot more energy in midfield and Jamal Jack, who began the game in midfield and came close to scoring, reverted to right back.
Central were awarded a penalty around 55 minutes. I have no idea what for, but there didn't seem to be many complaints. Guerra converted and it was game on. There were a couple of heavy challenges from North East. Marcano was cynically poleaxed which resulted in a yellow card and Jack was flattened which resulted in his removal by stretcher, yet no foul was given.
Leston Paul was introduced and apart from a few breaks, Central went gung ho for goal. Marcano caused lots of trouble but his final deliveries were poor. Plaza never really got a decent opening as Stars relied on their usual resolute defending.
At the whistle, Central had not only lost the game, but also their shot at the title and possibly even a second place finish. It's in the hands of Defence Force now who's title hopes will rest on their two games against Connection.
Ironically, Central's chance of qualifying for CONCACAF could depend on Connection winning both games vs Army!
Go Connection
It's a funny old game!
