Point close gap on leaders; late Hinkson denies Caledonia

[Flex]

Point close gap on leaders; late Hinkson denies Caledonia.
ttproleague.com.

MARVIN LEE STADIUM, Macoya - Point Fortin Civic returned to second position on the Digicel Pro League 2013/2014 standings on Friday night, while North East Stars also maintained ambition of a top-two finish this season.

Both sides preserved a one hundred percent league record, this term, against Police FC and Caledonia, respectively, with Civic enjoying a comfortable 3-0 win over the "Lawmen", while the Stars were 3-2 winners over the Jamaal Shabazz coached—Morvant/Laventille club.

Civic, moved up a spot into second with 29 points, and now trail leaders DIRECTV W Connection by just 5 points.

However Connection, with 34 points and a game extra, will tackle bottom of the table St. Ann's Rangers from 5 pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Saturday 8 March, with an excellent opportunity to restore it's 8-point advantage.

Marcus Joseph, who rewarded traveling supporters with a goal and two assists on Friday, fired Civic ahead 1-0—taking his leading tally to 12 goals—with a low laser past a helpless goalkeeper Adrian Foncette, who was left to dry following defensive lapses by Jasimar Ashers.

The 22-year-old Joseph later forced three good saves out of Foncette in the 23rd, 31st and 52nd minutes, but it was the Point Fortin star's cross from the left that Civic double its advantage in the 38th minute.

Joseph, who was set free down the left by hardworking teenaged winger, Akeem Redhead, whipped a low cross behind the Police defence and Andre Toussaint completed his well timed run by hitting past Foncette for a 2-0 score before the break.

Toussaint missed out on his second, six minutes from time, to Foncette's delight, when he completely failed to make contact on Redhead's left side cross into the area.

But in stoppage time Civic added a third to complete the 3-0 win against the side it defeated 3-1 in Round One and 5-0 in Round Two this season.

It was from Joseph's right side corner that Kariym Balthazar was credited with heading the ball past Foncette.

Point Fortin coach Reynold Carrington featured goalkeeper Akini Adams for the first time in over five months, since the player's brother, Akeem Adams, suffered a massive heart attack in Hungary on September 25, which eventually led to his unfortunate passing on December 30.

Akini, enjoyed his return to competitive action with a number of shutouts, including a point blank save eight minutes into the match, and another crucial one in the 69th minute to deny Jameel Perry. And the rebound effort by Police midfield substitute Kenaz Williams flew inches high of the crossbar.

In the end Police remained sixth on the standings with 21 points, as does the fifth positioned Caledonia.

Ahead of them are fourth positioned North East Stars and third positioned Central FC, both with 26 points.

Central will meet defending champions Defence Force on Sunday 9 March from 4 pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium to wrap up Round Three Match Day One.

Caledonia, last season's runners-up, failed snap their losing spell against fourth positioned North East Stars, who defeated them 3-0 in Round One and 2-0 in Round Two, despite nearing a point on Friday night.

Former Caledonia striker Trevin Caesar was the most dangerous, firing the Angus Eve coached-Stars ahead in the 21st minute after getting the better of defender Nuru Abdallah Muhammad and hitting into Shemel Louison's far netting for a 1-0 score.

Moments later Stars' goalie and captain Cleon John had to push behind a Tyrone Charles free kick and then saw his crossbar rocked by a glancing Keyon Edwards' glancing header off substitute Jameel Neptune's cross.

However John was beaten in the 32nd minute by a low powerful strike from Densill Theobald, leveling the score 1-1, after a neat heeled pass by Edwards.

Both sides continued to slug it out, and even had a Stars' shout for penalty after a handball by Marcus Ambrose inside the area, but referee Ishmael Mohammed wasn't in favour.

It wasn't long after that Caesar notched his second in the 61st minute to restore the Sangre Grande club's advantage, 2-1, when he rushed in at the back post to guide Chike Sullivan's floated ball past Louison.

The speedy Tobagonian forward came close to another in the 72nd minute, curling an effort onto the Louison's upright, and forcing a save out of the Grenadian ten minutes later.

But the scores were level again, 2-2, on the 85th minute when Theobald secured his double with a left footed strike took a slight deflection off defensive midfielder Keithy Simpson to beat John.

Then it crumbled for Caledonia three minutes from time after Louison spilled substitute Lemuel Lyons' effort and Kennedy Hinkson reacted with urgency to hit into the back of the net for a 3-2 final score, in the contest that was temporarily marred by a heated confrontation near the end between both sides after a foul on Stars midfielder Keryn Navarro—on a quick break—by Stephan David just beyond centre circle.

Digicel Pro League 2013/2014 Round Three Match Day One Results

Police FC 0—3 Point Fortin Civic
Marcus Joseph 21’, Andre Toussaint 38’, Kariym Balthazar 90'+

Caledonia AIA 2—3 North East Stars
Densill Theobald 32’ , 85’ ;  Trevin Caesar 7’, 61’, Kennedy Hinkson 87’

Teams

Police FC—18. Adrian Foncette, 21. Todd Ryan (C) (6. Kenaz Williams 46th), 2. Jasimar Ashers (Yellow Card), 5. Anton Hutchinson, 11. Kareem Perry (8. Akiba Peters 70th), 13. Elijah Roberts, 15. Jameel Perry, 17. Dexter Alleyne, 20. Elijah Belgrave, 29. Clevon McFee, 39. Joel Kevin Lewis (12. Vernell Ramirez 65th)

Unused substitutes—34. Keston Mata (GK), 24. Ariei McDavid, 26. Wendell Joseph, 33. Kurdell Brathwaite

Coach—Richard Hood

Point Fortin Civic—22. Akini Adams, 5. Andre Ettienne (17. Glen Sutton 46th), 8. Steven Joseph (6. Kelvin Modeste 72nd), 4. Weslie John, 2. Garyl Doldron, 18. Akeem Redhead, 7. Nickcolson Thomas, 35. Kariym Balthazar, 19. Andrei Pacheco (15. Sean Cooper 69th), 11. Andre Toussaint, 10. Marcus Joseph

Unused substitutes—1. Marvin Phillip (GK), 21. Andre Alexis, 29. Kevin Rouse, 33. Jamille Boatswain

Coach—Reynold Carrington

Teams

Caledonia AIA—1. Shemel Louison, 3. Nuru Abdullah Muhammad (Yellow Card), 6. Marcus Ambrose (Yellow Card), 7. Stephan David (Yellow Card), 9. Keyon Edwards (13. Julian Wade 82nd), 11. Abdallah Phillips (22. Jameel Neptune 14th), 12. Kareem Joseph, 16. Tyrone Charles (10. Ralph Lundy 67th), 20. Noel Williams, 21. Densill Theobald, 27. Nathan Lewis

Unused substitutes—8. Keron Bethelmy, 19. Nical Stephens, 30. Akil Stafford, 34. Kevin Graham (GK)

Coach—Jamaal Shabazz

North East Stars—22. Cleon John (C) (Yellow Card), 4. Keithy Simpson (Yellow Card), 6. Jeromie Williams, 7. Elijah Manners, 9. Akiel Guevara (11. Lemuel Lyons 59th), 15. Chike Sullivan (21. Neveal Hackshaw 76th), 18. Kaashif Thomas, 19. Glenton Wolfe, 20. Trevin Caesar (24. Jomoul Francois 93rd), 23. Kennedy Hinkson, 25. Keryn Navarro

Unused substitutes—1. Stefan Berkeley (GK), 3. Kevon Villaroel, 16. Franz Husbands

Coach—Angus Eve

[SWF Reporter]

Joseph propels Civic to second while Stars sink Caledonia again
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868)

Another clinical show from “Soca Warrior” Marcus Joseph pushed Point Fortin Civic back into second place last night as the south-based outfit whipped Police FC 3-0 while North East Stars maintained its dominance over Caledonia AIA with a 3-2 win in a Macoya double header at the Marvin Lee Stadium.

Once more, Stars striker Trevin Caesar showed his former employer what it was missing with a double while Kennedy Hinkson scored a late winner.

The result widened the gap between Stars and Caledonia, who are fourth and fifth respectively, to five points and ensured that coach Angus Eve completed the sweep over the “Eastern Stallions” with wins in all three league games this season. Stars managed five wins from six league outings against Caledonia since Eve took up the reigns in mid-2012.

Veteran Caledonia midfielder Densill Theobald scored twice to give the “Eastern Stallions” hope of a share of the points. But it proved insufficient in a match that again featured some questionable officiating.
There were some unfamiliar faces in the middle yesterday as a fitness examination for referees left the Pro League struggling to find match officials. As a result, referees Roger Smith and Ishmael Muhammad were promoted from the zonal leagues to fill the breach.

An inspired performance from Civic custodian Akini Adams and another stellar showing by Joseph ensured that Smith’s job with the whistle was fairly straightforward.

Police should have gone ahead after just seven minutes as a defensive lapse saw Jameel Perry take possession inside the opposing area but his shot was too close to Adams, who was preferred to Civic number one and Trinidad and Tobago international goalkeeper Marvin Phillip.

It was Adams’ first league start after the ex-T&TEC goalkeeper missed half the season to be at his brother Akeem’s side in Hungary.

“Akini was working hard and doing well as back up,” Civic coach Reynold Carrington told Wired868, “and we felt it was a chance to give him the game that he deserved with no disrespect to Police.”

Joseph showed Perry how it is done in the 21st minute as he took advantage of space offered by Jasimar Ashers to drive past Police goalkeeper Adrian Foncette from just outside the penalty box.

Two minutes later, Foncette made a fine save to deny Joseph a double after a brilliant threaded pass from his strike partner, Andre Toussaint. But Civic got its insurance goal anyway in the 37th minute after a fluent attacking move from the visitors.

Promising teenaged midfielder Akeem Redhead released Joseph down the left flank and his accurate first time cross was knocked over the goalline by Toussaint.

It might have been 3-0 before the interval but Smith opted not to award a penalty after Ashers bundled over Redhead in the penalty area while Foncette and Adams produced some fine glove-work to keep out Joseph and Perry respectively.

A Joseph corner eventually led to the third item, which Police midfielder Elijah Roberts inadvertently headed into his own net while under pressure from Civic midfielder Kariym Balthazar.

The second outing was much more competitive as Caledonia tried to reverse an abysmal run against Stars. It didn’t help coach Jamaal Shabazz’s cause that his key defender, Nuru Muhammad, decided to give the Sangre Grande team a head start after just seven minutes.

A long ball over the top seemed to be Muhammad’s for the taking but, intimidated by Caesar’s speed, he opted to drop off instead. Caesar did not need a second invitation as the diminutive striker ran at the backpedalling defender before arrowing his shot into the far corner.

Stars, as is their nature, dropped off instead of trying to build on the advantage and Caledonia deservedly pulled level before the interval. Goalkeeper and captain Cleon John saved smartly to deny Caledonia winger Tyrone Charles and Keyon Edwards rapped the opposing bar with a header before Theobald equalised with a powerful, low first time effort, off an Edwards backheel, that squirmed below John.

Up to that point, the match referee, Muhammad, had turned down a decent penalty shout from either team but managed to get to the interval without a major ruckus.

But there was no hiding place when, seven minutes into the second half, Caledonia left back Marcus Ambrose clearly diverted a Hinkson cross with his raised arm. Muhammad, who got no help from the well-placed referee’s assistant, failed to make the call.

Caledonia could not make the most of the gift, though.

In the 61st minute, Shabazz’s nemesis, Caesar, got on the end of a Chike Sullivan cross to restore Stars’ lead from an improbably angle. It was Caesar’s eighth league goal of the season and half of them were scored against Caledonia.

Caesar should have had a hattrick too but struck the far post in the 72nd minute after another darting run.

But Theobald gave Caledonia a lifeline in the 85th minute with his fifth league goal—almost certainly a personal best for the goal-shy playmaker—when his shot on the turn beat John after a notable deflection from Stars’ makeshift defender Keithy Simpson.

Eve had omitted six players from yesterday’s game, including defender Aquil Selby and midfielders Jayson Joseph and Keron Cummings, due to their absences from training over the Carnival weekend. But, even shorthanded, his team still found a way past Caledonia.

This time, Caledonia goalkeeper Shemel Louison was the villain. The Grenadian international got both hands to a Lemuel Lyons effort but then spilled the ball and Hinkson was on spot to bury the rebound in the 87th minute.

It might have gotten worse for Caledonia in stoppage time as captain Stephan David dragged Keryn Navarro down on a counter attack. David was the last Caledonia defender but escaped with just a yellow card as tempers flared between both sides.

But, at the final whistle, Eve was celebrating again as Caledonia slipped further away from the top two places and a spot in the 2015 CONCACAF Champions League qualifying phase.

(Teams)

North East Stars (4-2-3-1): 22.Cleon John (GK) (captain); 7.Elijah Manners, 4.Keithy Simpson, 19.Glenton Wolfe, 25.Keryn Navarro; 6.Jeromie Williams, 18.Kaashif Thomas; 15.Chike Sullivan (21.Neveal Hackshaw 76), 9.Akiel Guevara (11.Lemuel Lyons 58), 23.Kennedy Hinkson; 20.Trevin Caesar (24.Jomoul Francois 90).

Unused substitutes: 1.Stefan Berkeley (GK), 3.Kevon Villaroel, 16.Franz Husbands.

Coach: Angus Eve
 

Caledonia AIA (4-1-3-1-1): 1.Shemel Louison (GK); 12.Kareem Joseph, 3.Nuru Muhammad, 20.Noel Williams, 6.Marcus Ambrose; 7.Stephan David (captain); 27.Nathan Lewis, 21.Densill Theobald, 16.Tyrone Charles (10.Ralph Lundy Jr 67); 11.Abdallah Phillips (22.Jameel Neptune 15); 9.Keyon Edwards (13.Julian Wade 82).

Unused substitutes: 34.Kevin Graham (GK), 8.Keron Bethelmy, 19.Nical Stephens, 30.Akil Stafford.

Coach: Jamaal Shabazz

 
Referee: Ishmael Muhammad

 

Pro League results

(Fri March 7)

Point Fortin Civic 3 (Marcus Joseph 21, Andre Toussaint 37, Elijah Roberts OG 90+), Police FC 0 at Macoya

North East Stars 3 (Trevin Caesar 7, 61, Kennedy Hinkson 87), Caledonia AIA 2 (Densill Theobald 31, 85) at Macoya

[Pointman]

YEA!!! That's how Point Fortin does it. Now lets catch Connection.