As­cen­sion Foot­ball League Thread

[Bourbon]

Tallman, any info on what is TTFA  will be doing for club football when this league finishes in about 2 months ?

Does the Normalization Committee ever have a plan though?

[asylumseeker]

Tallman, any info on what is TTFA  will be doing for club football when this league finishes in about 2 months ?

Does the Normalization Committee ever have a plan though?

The NC has a plan ... whether it is palatable or discernible to those who will have to digest it is another thing.

Silence has a destination that is not always appreciated by those accustomed to consistently emptying vessels.

Shrewdness is in progress. There's still time to mitigate the fallout.

[asylumseeker]

Tallman, any info on what is TTFA  will be doing for club football when this league finishes in about 2 months ?

Not ah peep. Unless dey keeping it tight lipped, local football may yet come to a standstill after the Ascension League finishes.

Ent.

[Flex]

Charles’ double help Rangers clobber West Fort 5-2.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).

Two goals from Tyrone Charles ensured that Terminix La Horquetta Rangers maintained their unbeaten run and their top position in the Ascension Football League against Real West Fort United 5-2 in the feature match of a double-header at the Phase II Recreation Ground in La Horquetta on Friday night.

Coach Dave Quamina’s men held a one-point lead on both Cunupia FC and Police FC entering the contest as both were scheduled to be involved in action on Saturday, but it didn’t take long before their fears were allayed, as Kahim Thomas was picked out with a pin-point Real Gill’s right-side centre inside the goal area, and following a deaf first-touch, Thomas’ second touch of the ball sent the crowd to its feet, as he lashed it hard and low past the goalkeeper in the 13th minute.

Charles didn’t take too long to get into the action, benefiting from an earlier Maurice Dick effort which crashed against the crossbar from a left-side centre, before Charles was on spot to receive the rebound and skilfully elude a challenge from a defender before firing the ball into the back of the net for a 2-0 Rangers advantage.

Later, Charles turned provider when he lifted a pass to Jomoul Francois three minutes before the half-time interval. Facing confrontation from the onrushing goalkeeper, Francois skilfully lifted the ball into the empty net for a  3-0 scoreline.

he game seemed to be heading to the break with the scores unchanged before West Fort got a consolation item. Sean De Silva, returning to the West Fort fold for the encounter, whipped a cross to Keron Cummings who beat the goalkeeper with a one-time shot in the 43rd minute.

Coach Ron La Forest sought to make some adjustments in his defensive structure at the interval but it didn’t prevent Rangers from going another goal up in the 46th minute.

Charles fed a long ball inside the West Fort area, took it down nicely before he curled the ball into the top far right post for a 4-1 lead.

Both teams continued to trade attacks in the moments that followed, but it was Rangers who received their fifth goal courtesy of an own goal by Osei Charles in the 79th minute.

A minute later, West Fort got their second item of the game from the penalty spot. Defender Ross Russell Jr got the slightest of touches on Cordell Samuel inside the penalty area as he made his way to goal in the 80th minute. Cummings calmly sent the goalie the wrong way in the 81st minute for a final 5-2 scoreline.

In the first game, Deportivo PF thrashed Central Soccer World 3-0. The Point Fortin men got goals from Shackiel Henry in the 21st, Mark Ramdeen 29th and Hughton Hector in the 88th minute.

STANDINGS

Teams*P*W*D*L*F*A*GD*Pts
1*RANGERS*6*5*1*0*26*9*17*16
2*CUNUPIA FC*5*4*0*1*14*5*9*12
3*POLICE FC*5*4*0*1*14*5*9*12
4*DEFENCE FORCE FC*5*3*2*0*10*3*7*11
5*DEPORTIVO PF*6*2*2*2*8*7*1*8
6*REAL WEST FORT UNITED*6*2*1*3*7*15*-8*7
7*CENTRAL SOCCER WORLD*6*1*1*4*5*12*-7*4
8*AC PORT OF SPAIN*5*0*3*2*7*11*-4*3
9*CENTRAL FC*5*0*2*3*4*12*-8*2
10*MORUGA FC*5*0*0*5*2*18*-16*0

Today’s match

Police FC vs AC Port of Spain, St James Barracks, 5 pm

RELATED NEWS

Defence Force second in Ascension after Moore brace
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsady).

A BRACE from Soca Warriors striker Reon Moore gave Defence Force FC a crushing 5-0 win over Cunupia FC when the Ascension Football League tournament continued, on Saturday.

With the win, Defence Force moved from fourth place to second place (14 points) in the standings.

Moore scored in the 11th minute to give Defence Force an early lead in the match played at Arima Velodrome.

Jameel Boatswain found the back of the net in the 19th minute and Brent Sam gave Defence Force a comfortable 3-0 lead at half-time with a 31st minute item.

Moore was on target again in the 65th minute and Dylon King rounded off the scoring in stoppage time.

Cunupia dropped from second to fourth place (12 points) after the defeat.

In the first match at the venue, Central FC snatched their first win of the season with a 5-2 win over the winless Moruga FC.

Keasean St Rose netted a hat-trick (20th, 51st, 77th) to guide Central FC to the commanding win.

Romario Burke (65th) and Renaldo Francois (85th) also scored for Central FC on the night.

Keruille Jerimiah got on the score sheet for Moruga FC in the 39th and 54th minutes to make it 2-2 at one stage, before Central FC controlled the final 25 minutes of the match.

Central are now seventh in the ten-team standings with five points and Moruga FC are last with zero points.

On Friday at the La Horquetta Recreation Grounds, Deportivo FC defeated eighth placed Central Soccer World 3-0. Shackiel Henry (21st), Mark Ramdeen (29th) and Hughton Hector (88th) were on target for fifth placed Deportivo.

In the second match at La Horquetta, home team Terminix La Horquetta Rangers maintained their position at the top of the standings (16 points) with a 5-2 victory over Real West Fort Utd.

Tyrone Charles’s (21st, 46th) brace propelled Rangers to the win. Kahim Thomas (14th), Jomoul Francois (42nd) and Osei Charles (78th) added an own goal.

Former national player Keron Cummings scored in the 43rd minute for sixth placed Real West Fort Utd and another from the penalty spot in the 81st minute.

[asylumseeker]

Police FC keeps pressure on La Horquetta Rangers.
By Rachael Thompson-King (T&T Guardian).

Terminex La Horquetta Rangers came away with a hard-fought 4-2 win over Central Soccer World in the Ascension Invitation Football League on Friday night, in the second match of a second-round double-header at Phase 2 Recreation ground in La Horquetta.

Rangers had four different players find the net to keep their team at the top of the 10-team table with 10 points from four matches with three wins and a draw.

Khadeem Corbin opened the scoring in the 22nd minute to send the home team’s fans into a celebratory mood. However, Kemmuel Rivers cancelled out that goal, scoring 11 minutes later, to level the scores, 1-1 and it remained that way until the half-time whistle.

On the resumption, Rangers, coached by Dave Quamina, made several changes to their line-up which paid dividends as substitute Ataullah Guerra put his team ahead again in the 54th.

Three minutes later, Rangers thanks to Isaiah Lee, who was named “Player of the Week” at the end of the match, went up 3-1 and continued to push for more goals but Rivers had other plans.

He returned in the 79th minute to score his second goal of the match past goal-keeper Jabari St Hillaire and reduced Central Soccer World’s deficit to one, (3-2) but that was shortlived as another substitute Daniel David restored Rangers two-goal lead, a minute later and put the icing on the cake.

Rangers coach Quamina was pleased with the win and expressed his respect for the effort from Central Soccer World.

“Kudos to CSW team. They have very experienced players and a good coach. The plan was to win the game first which we did. It was a very intense game. They made us work extremely hard. I just want to ‘big up’ the staff and coach of the CSW team and I think they will go far in the league,” said Quamina in the post-match interview.

Earlier in the opening clash, Jabari Mitchell scored a double to lead Police past Real West Fort United, 4-0 to move into second place in the standing.

Rash challenges from the Real West Fort saw Police go to the penalty spot twice in two minutes. Gabriel Nanton completed the first in the 23rd minute and Mitchell in 26th to put the Lawmen up 2-0.

Central defender Kemron Purcell made it 3-0 off a set-piece which saw him head the ball past the Real West Fort custodian in the 43rd. The scores remained unchanged at the half.

Mitchell got his second item, seven minutes into the second half to give his Police team an even bigger lead (4-0) which they held on to when time expired.

Mitchell, who was later named “Player of the Match”, said: “A little more energy was required from me. I think I executed that tonight (Friday).

His coach Richard Hood added: “We were pressing the ball decently. I would have liked us getting more in transition. We won a lot of balls but we didn’t finish off the transition very well. Our organisation was really good. I was happy about that.”

RESULTS

POLICE 4 (3) (Gabriel Nanton 23rd pen, Jabari Mitchell 26th pen, 52nd, Kemron Purcell 43rd) vs REAL WEST FORT 0.

Player of the Match: Jabari Mitchell (Police)

TERMINEX RANGERS 4 (1) (Khadeem Corbin 22nd, Ataullah Guerra 54th, Isaiah Lee 57th, Daniel David 80th) vs CENTRAL SOCCER WORLD 2 (1) (Kemmuel Rivers 33rd, 79th)

Player of the Match: Daniel David (Rangers)

Player of the Week: Isaiah Lee (Rangers)

RELATED NEWS

Rangers remain top of Ascension League.
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday).
...

By what benchmark is Daniel David being assessed?

His non-inclusion in the national U-20 training squad (as announced) seems curious, if not outrageous.

[Deeks]

I did not see the game an I can make any assessment on Daniel. But I do like Real Gill. And I think he was selected on the U-20 squad.

[Deeks]

Did anyone saw an add about a new football league starting up at centre of excellence?

[asylumseeker]

I did not see the game an I can make any assessment on Daniel. But I do like Real Gill. And I think he was selected on the U-20 squad.

He was.

Regarding Daniel David:

I am not suggesting presumptive inclusion in the final tournament squad ... just that he is of sufficient quality to be in the U-20 tournament preparation squad.

Toss him into the water in that environment and see how he swims.

[Flex]

Rangers, Police, Defence Force lead heated Ascension title race.
T&T Newsday Reports.

MATCHWEEK seven of the Ascension Tournament is set to be feisty at the top of the table as title contenders Police FC and Defence Force seek to claim the top spot from the hosts, La Horquetta Rangers.

Rangers have led the pack since matchweek 3 and will be aiming to keep daylight between them and their title rivals with a victory against Central FC on Saturday. They currently stand on 16 points with Police and Defence Force on 15 points and 14 points, respectively.

The La Horquetta-based team may be league leaders, but their coach believes that it’s too soon for predictions about whether his team can win the title or not. In an interview with Newsday, on Wednesday, Dale Quamina said, “We’re in early days. It’s a competitive league and points are close. Police and Defence Force are two well-coached teams, and Cunupia look solid as well, so I can’t make any predictions.”

Quamina drew reference from Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League semi-final to illustrate how unpredictable football can be. “Look at what happened in the (UEFA) Champions League semi-final. Many predicted that (Manchester) City would have advanced but Real Madrid won against the odds. I’m not the kind of person to declare a winner beforehand. I know it’s a long competition and we will be playing every game as a final.”

Defence Force can go top on Friday if they beat last-placed Moruga FC, who are yet to earn a point so far but can be booted back to third if both Rangers and Police claim three points in their fixtures.

The team lives up to their name by having the best defence in the league, conceding just three goals in the first six games. Their coach Hutson Charles also spoke with Newsday on Wednesday and when asked about his team’s defence, he said, “We have a saying at the club: defence wins championships. That is the mantra we go by. Our two brilliant national defenders Justin Garcia and Curtis Gonzales have been commanding the backline very well. In training, we focus heavily on defending. When we lose the ball, the team drops back and plays from behind, strongly emphasising ball recovery.”

Despite being one of the two unbeaten teams in the league, Defence Force find themselves trailing in the standings due to two draws. Charles said his team must win every game from this point, especially against Rangers and Police. He added that, as defending champions, they are the team to beat and are aiming to win the league again.

“Every team wants to beat us, but we will take things one game at a time and implement our philosophy the best we can to fight for the title. In the army, they say ‘winning is not everything, it’s the only thing’. We are third and haven’t even reached our top gear yet. There’s more to come from us.”

Second-placed Police FC face Central Soccer World (CSW) in the Sunday evening clash. CSW have been struggling in this season’s competition with just four points so far and will be hoping for a change in fortune against one of the league’s top sides. But Police intend to keep the Central side in their slump and maintain the pressure on Rangers at the top.

Police coach Richard Hood believes his senior national team players, Adrian Foncette and Jabari Mitchell, can lead his team through a successful season. He also expressed his displeasure with the lack of Police players on the national team.

“I think that it’s a bit unfair that we only have two national players because there are others who are good enough that have been overlooked over the years”, Charles said, “but we have a very dynamic and balanced squad in all areas. We just have to remain consistent offensively, defensively and in transition.”

As the nation was under restriction for the past two years, many clubs struggled to maintain fitness during the pandemic. The three coaches were asked about their pre-tournament preparation. Police coach Richard Hood said “we started training about a month before the tournament and I think most of the other teams did as well. But I think there are a few teams that had the luxury of training for a longer period, like Rangers – they were training all the time – so I think that they started at an advantage.” Quamina denied the claims that his Rangers team had a lengthy preparation and stated that their training began when the government lifted all restrictions for team sports, which was legislated on March 4th – 21 days before the tournament kicked off.

He elaborated, “the players were responsible for themselves to do their own work. While the restrictions were in place, we conducted training sessions on Zoom. Tactical and technical sessions were part of the itinerary but we mostly focused on fitness. Those sessions were based on dynamic work and muscle memory which consisted of stretching, push-ups, sit-ups and jumping jacks.”

Defence Force manager Hutson Charles said that his team commenced training two weeks before the tournament but he doesn’t see it as a disadvantage. “We would’ve loved to have had a pre-season. However, we accepted that it wasn’t possible and made full use of the little time we had. The season began (with a draw) against Rangers when we weren’t fully fit and prepared but we are now getting into our rhythm and have improved since then.”

On the scoring chart, Cunupia FC’s Kevon Woodley leads with 9 goals followed by Defence Force’s attacking duo, Reon Moore and Jameel Boatswain with 6 goals and 5 goals respectively. Rangers’ Isaiah Lee (four goals) and Tyson Charles (three goals) complete the top five.

Reon Moore will be the player to watch this week after being named Campari Player of the Week for Matchweek 6. The Trinidad and Tobago striker has been the shining light for Defence Force and will be seeking to propel his team to the summit of the table with a scoring impact. His teammates, Justin Garcia and Curtis Gonzales, have also been standout players so far, along with Jameel Boatswain and Justin Sadoo.

Woodley’s talents will also be on show again as he pursues to push his fourth-placed Cunupia team into the top three.

Police’s Jabari Mitchell has been showing his quality with 3 goals from midfield. He is the joint-top scorer for the club alongside Kemron Purcell and Mikhael Gordon.

For the league leaders, Isaiah Lee, Tyron Charles, Ataulla Guerra and Ross Russell Jr have all been dominant in their respective roles.

With things heated at the summit of the Ascension Tournament, matchweek 7 may prove to be crucial in the hunt for the title.

FIXTURES

Friday (La Horquetta Ground)

6:00pm – Cunupia FC vs Deportivo Point Fortin
8:00pm – Moruga FC vs Defence Force

Saturday (Arima Velodrome)

5:00pm – AC Port-of-Spain vs Real West Fort
7:00pm – La Horquetta Rangers vs Central FC

Sunday (St James Police Barracks)

5:00pm – Police FC vs Central Soccer World

[Flex]

Sam's hat-trick puts Defence Force in Ascension Football tournament lead.
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday).

DEFENCE Force are the new leaders in the Ascension League Football tournament as a hat-trick by winger Brent Sam led the unit to a 8-0 victory over Moruga FC at the La Horquetta Recreation Ground, on Friday.

With the win, Defence Force moved ahead of Police FC and Terminix La Horquetta Rangers in the standings.

Defence Force now have 17 points from seven matches with five wins and two losses.

Second placed Rangers (16 points) and third placed Police FC (15 points) both have the opportunity to move ahead of Defence Force this weekend.

Rangers faced Central FC at 7 pm on Saturday at the Arima Velodrome. Before that match, AC Port of Spain and Real West Fort Utd played at the same venue, from 5 pm.

On Sunday, Police FC will tackle Central Soccer World at the Police Barracks, St James from 5 pm.

Sam scored in the 22nd minute, 58th and 75th to lead Defence Force to the crushing win over Moruga FC.

Jameel Boatswain added a brace with goals in the 38th and 54th minutes of play.

Justin Garcia (20th), Jamali Garcia (67th) and Kevon Blackman (70th) also got their names on the scoresheet.

In the first match of the double-header, Deportivo PF got past Cunupia FC 2-0.

Andrei Pacheco scored in the sixth minute and Shackiel Henry was on target in the 66th minute.

[Deeks]

How old is Jacques Poon-Lewis? He is not a bad keeper. His team, West Forte is struggling. His goal was bombardeded by Rangers. . A bit on  the small side. I like his agility. Does he have a brother also who plays?

[asylumseeker]

How old is Jacques Poon-Lewis? He is not a bad keeper. His team, West Forte is struggling. His goal was bombardeded by Rangers. . A bit on  the small side. I like his agility. Does he have a brother also who plays?

His brother (also a GK) played for QRC/ U-20 NT and then moved on to play collegiately at Franklin Pierce (NCAA D-II, decent program with a legacy).

Based on my limited viewing of him, Jacques has exhibited good reflex saves and anticipation. He is ~21 years old. Also has experience in goal as a hockey player. For the moment,  I can't endorse beyond that.

In terms of GKs, the player who I thought might do some interesting things is Levi Fernandez.

[Deeks]

How old is Jacques Poon-Lewis? He is not a bad keeper. His team, West Forte is struggling. His goal was bombardeded by Rangers. . A bit on  the small side. I like his agility. Does he have a brother also who plays?

His brother (also a GK) played for QRC/ U-20 NT and then moved on to play collegiately at Franklin Pierce (NCAA D-II, decent program with a legacy).

Based on my limited viewing of him, Jacques has exhibited good reflex saves and anticipation. He is ~21 years old. Also has experience in goal as a hockey player. For the moment,  I can't endorse beyond that.

In terms of GKs, the player who I thought might do some interesting things is Levi Fernandez.

Thanks for the info, Asylum. There is some rare talent. But unfortunately we don't have the organisation to harness that talent. About Levi, which team is he playing for in the Acension league? So next time he is playing, I could focus on him. Blessings!

[asylumseeker]

How old is Jacques Poon-Lewis? He is not a bad keeper. His team, West Forte is struggling. His goal was bombardeded by Rangers. . A bit on  the small side. I like his agility. Does he have a brother also who plays?

His brother (also a GK) played for QRC/ U-20 NT and then moved on to play collegiately at Franklin Pierce (NCAA D-II, decent program with a legacy).

Based on my limited viewing of him, Jacques has exhibited good reflex saves and anticipation. He is ~21 years old. Also has experience in goal as a hockey player. For the moment,  I can't endorse beyond that.

In terms of GKs, the player who I thought might do some interesting things is Levi Fernandez.

Thanks for the info, Asylum. There is some rare talent. But unfortunately we don't have the organisation to harness that talent. About Levi, which team is he playing for in the Acension league? So next time he is playing, I could focus on him. Blessings!

He is a former Naps GK who I thought showed promising characteristics. Aside from a stint with the national beach soccer team, he was also with Rangers ... but I don't know whether that remains the case.

[Deeks]

Ok, Cool!!! Wish him the best if he still into it.

[Flex]

Mc Lean hat-trick, Gregory brace move AC PoS, Deportivo up.
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian).

A hat-trick by Sedal Mc Lean for AC Port of Spain and a double from Deportivo Point Fortin's (PF)Akinola Gregory led to the improvement of both teams on the Ascension Football League standings with one game to go before the halfway stage.

AC Port of Spain moved from seventh to sixth on the table, with nine points after eight matches, following a convincing 6-1 victory over Moruga FC in the opening game of a double-header at the Arima Velodrome on Saturday evening. Gregory's brace on the otherhand, also helped the Point Fortin men complete a 4-0 win over Real West Fort United, and move from fifth to fourth on the standings with 14 points.

The Port of Spain men were cautious not to slip against the league's whipping boys, and after an exchange of attacks in the early moments, Michel Poon-Angeron connected with a glancing header from a right-side centre to put his team ahead 1-0 in the 39th minute.

Coach Walt Noriega sat anxiously with hopes of climbing the table as his team emerged from the half-time interval with only a 1-0 advantage but four minutes later, they added another to open up the floodgates. Midfielder Saeed Charles galloped onto a through ball to beat goalkeeper Kervelle Turner on his first post for a 2-0 lead.

And then Che Benny, who had been standing unmarked on the right side of the penalty area for some time, was eventually picked out with a long ball from left to right. Benny, a former national youth midfielder and futsal player, collected nicely and skipped past the challenge of the advancing Turner, before slotting the ball into an empty net.

Goal number four came in the 67th minute, courtesy of a classic display of counter-attacking football. A poorly taken free kick from Moruga's Nigel John on the left side of the penalty area was quickly cleared down the right flank for Jabari Raphael, who quickly delivered it to Benny in the centre of the field. The latter then slipped the ball inside the area for Mc Lean to hit low under the body of the goalkeeper for a 4-0 advantage.

Moruga pulled a goal back in the 74th minute courtesy of a solo effort from Atiba Charles. The skilful midfielder latched on to a loose ball on the left side of the AC Port of Spain defence, cut in between two defenders inside the area, before hitting it low to the far post for a 1-4 scoreline.

However, it did not affect the final result as Mc Lean sealed the win with goals in the 77th and 88th minutes. First, Poon-Angeron, after a driving run from left to centre, released to Raphael on the right side. Raphael, the instigator of two previous goals for his team, quickly centred for the oncoming Mc Lean to steer in.

Then, Mc Lean beat Turner from the penalty spot after earlier being brought down by Turner himself. The Moruga custodian was initially given a red card by the referee, who later reversed his decision to a yellow card instead.

In the other match, a new-look West Fort was no match for an improving Deportivo PF outfit.

Gregory opened the scoring in the fourth minute, pouncing on the rebound after goalkeeper Jacques Poon-Lewis parried a blistering drive from Isaiah Garcia. Then Gregory sent Poon-Lewis the wrong way from the penalty spot to make it 2-0 in the 37th minute.

Andrei Pacheco was given a gift by Hughton Hector who carved his way through a weak West Fort defence and allowed him the opportunity to calmly slot the ball beyond the dive of Poon-Lewis for a 3-0 scoreline. Hector, denied a goalscoring chance earlier, then drilled the final nail into the Real West Fort coffin by steering in Isaiah Garcia's right-side centre in the 74th minute.

Results

AC Port of Spain 6 (Michel Poon Angeron 39th, Saeed Charles 49th, Che Benny 43rd, Sedal Mc Lean 67th, 77th, 88th) vs Moruga 1 (Atiba Charles 74th).

Deportivo PF 4 (Akinola Gregory 4th, 37th, Andrei Pacheco 55th, Hughton Hector 74th) vs Real West Fort 0.

STANDINGS

Club*P*W*D*L*F*A*GD*Pts
1*Rangers*8*6*2*0*35*11*24*20
2*Defence Force*8*6*2*0*27*5*22*20
3*Police*8*6*0*2*24*11*13*18
4*Deportivo*8*4*2*2*14*7*7*14
5*Cunupia FC*8*4*1*3*15*13*2*13
6*AC PoS*8*2*3*3*16*18*-2*9
7*Real West Fort*8*2*1*5*8*21*-13*7
8*Central FC*7*1*2*4*10*22*-12*5
9*Central Soccer World*7*1*1*5*6*15*-9*4
10*Moruga FC*8*0*0*8*5*37*-32*0

[rastafari]

Mc Lean hat-trick, Gregory brace move AC PoS, Deportivo up.
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian).

A hat-trick by Sedal Mc Lean for AC Port of Spain and a double from Deportivo Point Fortin's (PF)Akinola Gregory led to the improvement of both teams on the Ascension Football League standings with one game to go before the halfway stage.

AC Port of Spain moved from seventh to sixth on the table, with nine points after eight matches, following a convincing 6-1 victory over Moruga FC in the opening game of a double-header at the Arima Velodrome on Saturday evening. Gregory's brace on the otherhand, also helped the Point Fortin men complete a 4-0 win over Real West Fort United, and move from fifth to fourth on the standings with 14 points.

The Port of Spain men were cautious not to slip against the league's whipping boys, and after an exchange of attacks in the early moments, Michel Poon-Angeron connected with a glancing header from a right-side centre to put his team ahead 1-0 in the 39th minute.

Coach Walt Noriega sat anxiously with hopes of climbing the table as his team emerged from the half-time interval with only a 1-0 advantage but four minutes later, they added another to open up the floodgates. Midfielder Saeed Charles galloped onto a through ball to beat goalkeeper Kervelle Turner on his first post for a 2-0 lead.

And then Che Benny, who had been standing unmarked on the right side of the penalty area for some time, was eventually picked out with a long ball from left to right. Benny, a former national youth midfielder and futsal player, collected nicely and skipped past the challenge of the advancing Turner, before slotting the ball into an empty net.

Goal number four came in the 67th minute, courtesy of a classic display of counter-attacking football. A poorly taken free kick from Moruga's Nigel John on the left side of the penalty area was quickly cleared down the right flank for Jabari Raphael, who quickly delivered it to Benny in the centre of the field. The latter then slipped the ball inside the area for Mc Lean to hit low under the body of the goalkeeper for a 4-0 advantage.

Moruga pulled a goal back in the 74th minute courtesy of a solo effort from Atiba Charles. The skilful midfielder latched on to a loose ball on the left side of the AC Port of Spain defence, cut in between two defenders inside the area, before hitting it low to the far post for a 1-4 scoreline.

However, it did not affect the final result as Mc Lean sealed the win with goals in the 77th and 88th minutes. First, Poon-Angeron, after a driving run from left to centre, released to Raphael on the right side. Raphael, the instigator of two previous goals for his team, quickly centred for the oncoming Mc Lean to steer in.

Then, Mc Lean beat Turner from the penalty spot after earlier being brought down by Turner himself. The Moruga custodian was initially given a red card by the referee, who later reversed his decision to a yellow card instead.

In the other match, a new-look West Fort was no match for an improving Deportivo PF outfit.

Gregory opened the scoring in the fourth minute, pouncing on the rebound after goalkeeper Jacques Poon-Lewis parried a blistering drive from Isaiah Garcia. Then Gregory sent Poon-Lewis the wrong way from the penalty spot to make it 2-0 in the 37th minute.

Andrei Pacheco was given a gift by Hughton Hector who carved his way through a weak West Fort defence and allowed him the opportunity to calmly slot the ball beyond the dive of Poon-Lewis for a 3-0 scoreline. Hector, denied a goalscoring chance earlier, then drilled the final nail into the Real West Fort coffin by steering in Isaiah Garcia's right-side centre in the 74th minute.

Results

AC Port of Spain 6 (Michel Poon Angeron 39th, Saeed Charles 49th, Che Benny 43rd, Sedal Mc Lean 67th, 77th, 88th) vs Moruga 1 (Atiba Charles 74th).

Deportivo PF 4 (Akinola Gregory 4th, 37th, Andrei Pacheco 55th, Hughton Hector 74th) vs Real West Fort 0.

STANDINGS

Club*P*W*D*L*F*A*GD*Pts
1*Rangers*8*6*2*0*35*11*24*20
2*Defence Force*8*6*2*0*27*5*22*20
3*Police*8*6*0*2*24*11*13*18
4*Deportivo*8*4*2*2*14*7*7*14
5*Cunupia FC*8*4*1*3*15*13*2*13
6*AC PoS*8*2*3*3*16*18*-2*9
7*Real West Fort*8*2*1*5*8*21*-13*7
8*Central FC*7*1*2*4*10*22*-12*5
9*Central Soccer World*7*1*1*5*6*15*-9*4
10*Moruga FC*8*0*0*8*5*37*-32*0

Is this the same Atiba Charles that played for Trinidad and Tobago?

[Deeks]

Yes, it is the national player, Atiba.

[Tallman]

Ascension clubs to each receive $25,000 after first round
T&T Newsday

ALL TEN clubs participating in the Ascension Football Tournament will receive $25,000 apiece at the end of round one thanks to the overwhelming support of the league.

A media release signed by the tournament director of the league Keiron Edwards said, "Please be informed that the organisers of the Ascension Tournament of T&T 2022 is prepared to remit to the participating clubs of the tournament, the sum of $250,000 in appearance fees.

"This is a result of the overwhelming support we have received for the tournament at the end of the first round of games which should finish on 22 May, 2022. Not only have we gotten increased spectator support, but several corporate sponsors have assisted the tournament tremendously."

Among the sponsors are Terminix Trinidad Limited, La Soufriere Maritime Limited, Campari, Magmum, TV6, T&T Express, CNC3 and T&T Guardian.

"As such, each participating club will receive $25,000 at the end of the first round of games of the tournament."

The league organisers said everyone must benefit from the success of the league.

"This initiative is part of the ongoing strategic plan of the tournament of sharing revenue of the tournament with participating clubs to help alleviate their expenses. We also expect this financial support to increase in the future as the tournament improves in popularity."

Discussing the role of the media, the release said, "A critical element of the success of the tournament is the role of the media of bringing the football to the public. Every single game of the competition was streamed on our website https://theascensiontournament.com. The double header games on Friday nights are shown on SportsMax and TV6. The Sunday game was shown on CNC3. With the games on Saturdays and Sundays being also shown on Music and Entertainment TV."

"All games are also shown on Youtube and they are also archived on our website where any interested person can view an entire transmission of a past game. This has clearly brought the local football to the homes of the entire population of T&T and the other Caribbean islands. It has popularised the tournament exponentially."

Players will be seen, the release said. "In addition, such wide media exposure has also provided the opportunity for prospective players to be viewed by professional football scouts with the hope of creating employment opportunities abroad for local players."

The Ascension League thanked the media for their "fantastic coverage and support of tournament" with "special thanks going to SportsMax, TV6, Express, CNC3, Guardian, M&E TV and WI Sports."

[Flex]

Rangers fire past Central FC to Ascension top
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian).

Out-of-favour national players Kadeem Corbin and Ataulla Guerra both scored second-half doubles to lead Terminix La Horquetta Rangers past a stubborn Central FC 6-2 to regain the outright lead in the Ascension Football League Tournament on Friday night.

Playing the future match of a double-header at the Phase II Recreation Ground, La Horquetta, Rangers were gifted an early lead when Kwami Hughhew scored an own goal after only six minutes, but in the 33rd minute, Leonardo Da Costa got Central FC a shock equaliser to leave both clubs level at the half-time interval.

However, on the resumption, Rangers stepped up the pressure and doubled their lead in the 50th through Corbin, who quickly added a second two minutes later for a 3-1 cushion.

Former USA-based Guerra then joined in the scoring spree with his first and the team's fourth in the 55th minute while Aikim Andrews extended the advantage to 5-1 in the 62nd.

Guerra then completed his double with ten minutes left on the clock for a 6-1 score while Romario Burke got a late second item for Central with four minutes left.

With the win, Rangers moved to 26 points from ten matches, three ahead of 2019 winners Defence Force who had a chance to go top on goal-difference in Saturday night's late match against cellar-placed Moruga FC, while Police FC is third with 21 points and meets Central Soccer World at the St James Police Training Barracks, St James from 5 pm.

In Friday's opener, former national midfielder Hughton Hector also scored twice to lead Deportivo Point Fortin (PF) to a 6-1 spanking of Cunupia FC.

Hector got his goals in the 22nd and 49th minutes while Isaiah Hudson, Omri Baird, Andrei Pacheco and Ezekiel Kesar were also on target for the winners, and Kwasi Allan netted Cunupia's consolation.

The ten clubs are competing in two rounds of football on 18 match days for a winners prize of $100,000, with second place getting $50,000, and third $25,000.

The tournament was first played in 2019, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the competition was not held in 2020 and 2021, with this year’s competition being staged with a budget of $3.5 million, with $175,000 in prize money.

Friday's results:

Deportivo Point Fortin 6 (Hughton Hector 22nd, 49th, Isaiah Hudson 27th, Omri Baird 28th, Andrei Pacheco 66th, Ezekiel Kesar 68th) vs Cunupia 1 (Kwasi Allen 82nd).

La Horquetta Rangers 6 (Kadeem Corbin 50th, 52nd, Ataulla Guerra 55th, 80th, Kwami Hughhew o.g 6th, Aikim Andrews 62nd) vs Central FC 2 (Leonardo Da Costa 33rd, Romario Burke 86th)

Sunday's match:
Venue: St James Police Training Barracks, St James:

Police FC vs Central Soccer World, 5 pm

Teams P W D L F A GD Pts
1. La Horquetta Rangers 10 8 2 0 43 14 29 26
2. Defence Force 9 7 2 0 30 5 25 23
3.Police FC 9 7 0 2 27 12 15 21
4. Deportivo PF 10 6 2 2 22 9 13 20
5. Cunupia FC 10 4 1 5 16 20 -4 13
6. Central Soccer World 9 3 1 5 9 16 -7 10
7. AC PoS 9 2 3 4 17 20 -3 9
8. Real West Fort 8 2 1 5 8 21 -13 7
9. Central FC 10 1 2 7 14 33 -19 5
10. Moruga FC 9 0 0 9 6 39 -33 0

Leading scorers:

10 - Jameel Boatswain (Defence Force)

9 - Kevon Woodley (Cunupia FC)

7 - Brent Sam (Defence Force)

6 - Reon Moore (Defence Force), Mickaeel Gordon (Police FC), Kadeem Corbin (La Horquetta Rangers)

5 - Tyrone Charles, Ataulla Guerra Isaiah Lee (La Horquetta Rangers), Che Benny (AC Port-of-Spain), Sedale Mc Clean (AC Port-of-Spain)

4 - Akinola Gregory, Hughton Hector (Deportivo PF), Kemron Purcell, Jabari Mitchell (Police), Romario Burke (Central FC)

3 - Ross Russell Jr, Aikim Andrews Junior Assoon, Real Gill (La Horquetta Rangers), Joel Lewis (Police FC), Keasean St Rose (Central FC), Kemuel Rivers (Central Soccer World), Andrei Pacheco (Deportivo PF)

2 - Shackiel Henry, Mark Ramdeen, Ezekiel Kesar(Deportivo PF), Gabriel Nanton, Romario Burke, Kareem Freitas (Police FC), Jomoul Francois, Jamal Creighton (La Horquetta Ranges), Keron Cummings (AC PoS), Kerville Jeremiah (Moruga FC), Renaldo Francois, Leonardo Da Costa (Central FC), Jamali Garcia (Defence Force)

1 - Kadeem Hutchinson, Elijah Belgrave, Simeon Bailey (Police FC), Nathaniel Guerra, Luke Phillip, Omri Biard, Nathaniel Garcia, Isaiah Hudson (Deportivo PF), Jaydon Prowell, Saeed Charles, Michael Poon Angeron, Anthony Charles (AC PoS), Ross Dowden, Josimar Belgrave, Josiah Joseph, Cordell Samuel, Sean De Silva (Real West Fort United), Keegan Faria, Kahim Thomas, Daniel David, Real Gill, (La Horquetta Rangers), Dylon King, Kevon Blackman, Justin Garcia, Dwight Quintero, Darius Ollivierra (Defence Force), Nicholas Dillion, Theophilus Bourne, Anthony Parris, Ryan Frederick (Central Soccer World), Keon Daniel, Josiah Daniel, Kwasi Allen (Cunupia FC), Leandro Da Costa (Central FC), Atiba Charles, Keion La Rode (Moruga FC)

Own goals - 4

[maxg]

https://theascensiontournament.com/table/league-table/

[Flex]

Guerra nets beaver trick for Rangers in Ascension
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday).

FORMER Trinidad and Tobago footballer Ataulla Guerra scored a beaver trick to push Terminix La Horquetta Rangers two points clear of Defence Force in the Ascension Football tournament standings.

Rangers now have 29 points and Defence Force are second with 27 points.

Rangers crushed last-placed Moruga FC 7-1 in the second match of a double header played at the St James Police Barracks, on Friday.

Moruga FC opened the scoring through Tyrese Reifer in the 14th minute, but it was downhill from there for the southern club.

Before the 30th minute mark, Guerra had already completed his hat-trick to give Rangers a 3-1 lead. He scored in the 19th, 22nd and 29th minutes of play.

It was 4-1 at half-time as Emmanuel Thomas found the back of the net in the 32nd minute.

The goals continued to flow in the second half as Kadeem Corbin (54th) and Ross Russell Jnr (80th) were on target.

Guerra netted his fourth with a goal in the 83rd minute.

In the first match, Defence Force and Deportivo played to a 2-2 draw.

Brent Sam and Jameel Cooper scored in the 44th minute and 68th minute respectively for Defence Force.

Getting their name on the score sheet for Deportivo were Nathaniel Garcia (56th) and Shakiel Henry (64th).

[Flex]

Guerra, Corbin extend Rangers to lead to 5 points.
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian).

Ataulla Guerra scored one goal and made the other for fellow out-of-favour national player Kadeem Corbin to lead Terminix La Horquetta Rangers to a hard-fought 2-1 win over Central Soccer World to extend their lead in the ten-club Ascension Football League at Phase II Recreation Ground in La Horquetta on Friday night.

Playing the feature match of a double-header, Guerra and his team-mates were made to work hard against a resilient Central Soccer World before taking the lead a 1-0 in the 31st minute when Guerra connected with a rebound off goalkeeper Keston Guy and a defender for a joint-league leading tenth goal of the campaign, level with Defence Force’s Jameel Boatswain.

Rangers were then thwarted in their attempt to extend their advantage by Guy while at the other end of the field, Central Soccer World’s efforts from Nicholas Dillon, Kemeul Rivers and Moses Jaikaran were also turned back by Rangers’ custodian and recent senior national team call-up Jabari St Hillaire.

However, on the hour mark substitute Corbin, who replaced Jomoul Francois just before the half-time interval ran onto a through ball from Guerra to fire a right-footed shot into the far corner to double the lead, with his eighth goal of the competition.

Both teams continued to have a go at each on the very heavy surface and with seconds left on the clock, Central Soccer World was rewarded for their efforts when Simon Joseph curled home a free-kick into the top right-hand corner, but it was too little too late.

With the win, their tenth in 12 matches, Rangers pushed their points tally to 32, five more than Defence Force while Police FC and Deportivo Point Fortin are third with 24 points each from 11 and 12 matches, respectively.

In Friday’s opening match, Isaiah Hudson scored as early as the ninth minute and Nartheon Watson, in the 92nd to secure a 2-0 victory for Deportivo PF against Central FC.

On Saturday at the Arima Municipal Stadium, Arima, Moruga FC was to face Cunupia FC while AC Port-of-Spain came up against Defence Force and on Sunday, Police hosts Real West Fort United at the St James Police Training Barracks, Long Circular Road, St James from 5 pm.

Friday’s results

Deportivo Point Fortin 2 (Isaiah Hudson 9th, Nartheon Watson 92nd) vs Central FC 0

La Horquetta Rangers 2 (Ataulla Guerra 31st, Kadeem Corbin 60th) vs Central Soccer World 1 (Simon Joseph 89th)

Today’s match:

Police FC vs Real West Fort, St James Police Training Barracks Ground, Long Circular Road, St James, 5 pm.

Latest standings

Teams P W D L F A GD Pts
1. La Horquetta Rangers 12 10 2 0 52 16 36 32
2. Defence Force 11 8 3 0 35 7 28 27
3. Police FC 11 8 0 3 31 15 16 24
4. Deportivo PF 12 7 3 2 26 11 15 24
5. Cunupia FC 11 4 1 6 16 23 -7 13
6. Central Soccer World 12 4 1 7 15 22 -7 13
7. AC PoS 11 3 3 5 22 25 -3 12
8. Real West Fort 11 3 2 6 14 29 -15 11
9. Central FC 12 1 3 8 17 38 -19 6
10. Moruga FC 11 0 0 11 7 49 -36 0

Leading scorers

10 - Jameel Boatswain (Defence Force), Ataulla Guerra (La Horquetta Rangers)

9 - Kevon Woodley (Cunupia FC)

8 - Brent Sam (Defence Force), Kadeem Corbin (La Horquetta Rangers)

7 - Reon Moore (Defence Force),

6 - Mickaeel Gordon (Police FC), Sedale Mc Clean (AC Port-of-Spain), Che Benny (AC Port-of-Spain),

5 - Tyrone Charles, Isaiah Lee (La Horquetta Rangers), Keron Cummings (Real West Fort)

4 - Akinola Gregory, Hughton Hector (Deportivo PF), Kemron Purcell, Jabari Mitchell, Kareem Freitas (Police), Romario Burke, Leonardo Da Costa (Central FC), Ross Russell Jr (La Horquetta Rangers), Josimar Belgrave (Real West Fort)

3 - Aikim Andrews Junior Assoon, Real Gill (La Horquetta Rangers), Joel Lewis, Gabriel Nanton (Police FC), Keasean St Rose (Central FC), Kemuel Rivers, Moses Jaikaran (Central Soccer World), Andrei Pacheco (Deportivo PF), Jamali Garcia (Defence Force), Shackiel Henry (Deportivo PF),

2 - Mark Ramdeen, Ezekiel Kesar, Nathaniel Garcia, Isaiah Hudson (Deportivo PF), Jomoul Francois, Jamal Creighton, Daniel David (La Horquetta Ranges), Kerville Jeremiah (Moruga FC), Renaldo Francois, (Central FC), Leandro Da Costa (Central FC), Atiba Charles (Moruga), Ryan Frederick, Nicholas Dillion (Central Soccer World), Kwasi Allen (Cunupia FC)

RELATED NEWS

AC POS upset Defence Force, Rangers go five points clear.
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday).

AC Port of Spain produced a shock 4-3 win over Defence Force at the Arima Velodrome on Saturday, and Terminix La Horquetta Rangers moved five points clear at the top of the 10-team standings, on Match Day 12 of the Ascension Football Tournament.

On Friday, Rangers earned a hard-fought 2-1 win over Central Soccer World, in the second of back-to-back matches at the La Horquetta Recreation Ground, Arima.

Ataullah Guerra (31st minute) and Kadeem Corbin (60th) were the goal-getters for Rangers. Simon Joseph pulled one back for Central Soccer World, with a freekick in the 89th.

Rangers have tallied 32 points from 12 games, with Defence Force and Police both on 27, but Defence Force have a goal difference of plus 27, compared to Police’s plus 17.

Deportivo Point Fortin remain fourth with 24 points, followed by AC Port of Spain (15), Cunupia FC (14), Central Soccer World (13), Real West Fort United (11), Central FC (six) and Moruga FC (one).

Deportivo Point Fortin continued their fine form of late with a 2-0 triumph over Central FC. Isaiah Hudson (ninth) and Matheon Watson (90th) found the back of the net for Point Fortin.

On Saturday, in the first of back-to-back matches at the Arima Velodrome, Cunupia FC’s struggles continued as they were held to a goalless draw by Moruga FC. This result saw Moruga earning their first point, in their 12th attempt.

Police needed a second half stoppage-time winner from Elijah Belgrave to earn a 1-0 victory over Real West Fort United, at the Police Barracks in St James, on Sunday.

But Defence Force failed to bridge the gap between themselves and Rangers, as they fell to their first defeat in the tournament.

Jameel Neptune put AC Port of Spain in front after 19 minutes, as he got ahead of Defence Force’s goalkeeper Christopher Biggette and headed a cross from the left by playmaker Che Benny, into the back of the net.

However, Defence Force equalised eight minutes later, after winger Reon Moore met a corner from Jelani Felix and diverted the ball to striker Dwight Quintero, who finished from inside of the six-yard box.

Benny was at the heart of the AC Port of Spain attacks, and he played instrumental roles in a pair of goals, within the space of seven minutes.

In the 30th, Benny slipped a pass to a goal-bound Neptune, who guided his left-footed shot past an advancing Biggette.

In the 37th, Benny’s quickly-taken freekick found Shawndell Augustus who lobbed the Defence Force goalie with a right-footed effort.

Brent Sam reduced the deficit for Defence Force, on the stroke of half-time, with a freekick to the right of the wall and away from keeper Jadel Poon-Lewis.

Moore won a penalty in the 59th minute, when he was tackled by Poon-Lewis, with Sam sending the keeper the wrong way with his spot-kick.

With the scores locked at 3-3, Benny had a chance to restore AC Port of Spain’s advantage in the 74th, but his penalty was denied by Biggette.

However, Benny would have the final say in a pulsating contest two minutes later.

One of the most consistent performers in this year’s tournament, Benny collected a pass from substitute Duane Muckette, wrong-footed the pair of Kevon Goddard and Justin Garcia, and neatly placed his right-footed shot into the back of the net.

[Tallman]

Police edge AC Port of Spain, Rangers stay top in Ascension
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday)

POLICE moved to second spot in the Ascension Invitational Football Tournament after edging AC Port of Spain 3-2 on Sunday, in a 13th round encounter at the Police Barracks, St James.

But Terminix La Horquetta Rangers stayed on top of the ten-team points standings, with 35 points, following a 2-1 victory over Real West Fort United at the La Horquetta Recreation Ground, Arima on Friday.

Defence Force failed in their quest to keep pace with Rangers as they were held to a goalless draw by the struggling Cunupia FC, on Saturday, at the Arima Velodrome.

Police have 30 points from 13 matches, followed by Defence Force (28) and Deportivo Point Fortin (27).

Rangers are the only unbeaten team in this tournament.

On Friday, in the second game of a double-header at the La Horquetta Recreation Ground, they were rewarded with goals from Daniel David (18th minute) and Kadeem Corbin (57th), while Real West Fort United benefitted from an own goal from defender Jesus Perez, in the 24th.

In the first game at La Horquetta, in the clash of the cellar-placed squads, Central FC whipped Moruga FC 3-1. Keshan St Rose (36th), Jarique Williams (46th) and Leonardo Da Costa (72nd) were the goal-getters for Central FC.

Jervelle Turner pulled one back for Moruga, with six minutes remaining in regulation time.

Cunupia FC, who have slipped from second to sixth place, earned a valuable point against the Army-Coast Guard combination, in the latter of back-to-back matches at Arima.

Earlier on Saturday, Deportivo Point Fortin got a 90th minute penalty from Nathaniel Garcia to defeat Central Soccer World 1-0.

On a muddy outfield at St James, hosts Police held a 3-0 lead, with items from Kerron St Cyr (36th), Keshawn Hutchinson (73rd) and Juma Clarence (76th).

However, AC Port of Spain registered a pair of goals, in the dying stages of the match, courtesy Kyle Bartholomew and Che Benny.

Points Standings – 1. Rangers 35; 2. Police 30; 3. Defence Force 28; 4. Deportivo Point Fortin 27; 5. AC Port of Spain 15; 6. Cunupia FC 15; 7. Central Soccer World 13; 8. Real West Fort United 11; 9. Central FC 9; 10. Moruga FC 1.

[Tallman]

After-game fetes a frustration
T&T Express

THE residents of Phases Two and Three of La Horquetta and environs, in Arima, are once again being affected by our neighbouring recreational grounds, located in Phase Two-by the ongoing Football Ascension Tournament.

The football matches run on a three-day schedule starting from Friday nights, with a double-header game played at the La Horquetta Recreational Ground. The games are then followed with an after-fete that lasts till around 1 a.m.

These fetes are accompanied by loud music that rattles the rooftops of the neighbourhood, littering, and loitering by the non-paying patrons on and around the neighbours' compounds, and patrons parking in the entrance of driveways, forcing residents to place objects to avoid this illegal parking.

In addition, 95 per cent of these patrons do not wear masks.

The residents made numerous attempts by contacting the Environmental Management Authority, which has promised to make visits-but to no avail.

The La Horquetta and Arima Police Stations advised that the owner of the recreational grounds and manager of the Terminix Football Rangers, Mr Richard Ferguson, has authorisation to host his events, and they are unable to intervene unless he breaches his permitted time frame.

The officers also advised that the residents should sign a petition and submit it to our councillor. This was done and submitted personally to Mr Kwasi Robinson, who had promised to investigate-but also to no avail.

Phone calls and visits were made to both the councillor's office (Mr Derek LaGuerre) and our MP for La Horquetta, Mr Foster Cummings, who at this point has made no intervention to our appeals.

Emerging from a pandemic, Covid- 19 has taught us about increasing levels of mental health issues, and that humility and compassion can aid in reducing this health implication.

However, we the residents have become very frustrated and depressed about this situation, and further saddened that our local authorities and relevant bodies have not attended to our pleas.

Residents of La Horquetta

[Tallman]

Rangers remain five points ahead of Police in Ascension
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday)

TERMINIX LA Horquetta Rangers remain five points ahead of Police after the 14th round of matches in the Ascension Invitational Football Tournament over the weekend.

Rangers defeated fifth-placed AC Port of Spain 4-2, in the second of two scheduled games on Friday, at the La Horquetta Recreation Ground, Arima.

Josiah Edwards put Rangers in front after three minutes, and ex-Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Ataullah Guerra doubled the lead in the 13th minute.

T&T playmaker Duane Muckette pulled one back, with a freekick, in the 39th minute, but Jamal Creighton restored Rangers’ two-goal lead with a header in the 63rd.

Creighton, the Rangers captain, notched his second goal in the 83rd to give his team a 4-1 advantage.

Nical Stephens netted a header in the 89th, but Rangers were not going to be denied a 12th win of the competition.

The earlier game on Friday, between Cunupia FC and Central Soccer World, was postponed due to an unfit outfield. Police, Defence Force and Deportivo Point Fortin all remained in second, third and fourth place respectively, after convincing Round 14 victories.

On Sunday, Police brushed aside Central FC 5-1 at the Police Barracks, St James.

Striker Juma Clarance broke the deadlock for the lawmen in the 34th, while stand-in captain Kemron Purcell (55th) and Rakim Cabie (63rd) scored headers, from set-pieces, to give Police a 3-0 cushion.

Veteran striker Jameel Perry found the back of the net in the 79th and 80th, but Renaldo Francois gave his team a consolation strike, in the 84th.

In a double-header at the Arima Velodrome on Saturday, Deportivo Point Fortin spanked Moruga FC 5-1 and Defence Force hammered Real West Fort United 5-0.

Points Tally – 1.Rangers 38; 2.Police 33; 3.Defence Force 31; 4.Deportivo Point Fortin 30; 5.AC Port of Spain 15; 6.Cunupia 15; 7.Central Soccer World 13; 8.Real West Fort United 11; 9.Central FC 9; 10.Moruga FC 1.

[Tallman]

Rangers nearer title...Will meet final challengers Defence Force on Friday
T&T Express

TERMINIX La Horquetta Rangers could be crowned 2022 Ascension football tournament champions as early as this Friday, when they meet defending champions Defence Force.

The teams played to a 1-1 draw on the opening day of the season but a win will see unbeaten Rangers crowned the new champs.

Rangers eked out a slender 1-0 win over second-placed Police FC on Friday night and are now just a win away from capturing the title, with matches remaining against Defence Force, Cunupia FC and Deportivo Point Fortin. Rangers meet Defence Force on Friday at La Horquetta, and are now just a point away from capturing the $100,000 Ascension first prize, having finished runners-up to Defence Force in the inaugural competition held two years ago, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Playing before a big crowd at their La Horquetta home base, Rangers got a late winner, with 33-year-old veteran and former Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Tyronne Charles forcing the ball over the line with just eight minutes left in regulation time to see Rangers past the Boys in Blue.

Following a cagey first half in which the action was even and end-to-end, Police hit the crossbar, before Rangers finally got the breakthrough. Following his winner, Man-of-the Match Charles was confident that Rangers will now win the title.

“I think it’s the first time the club is going to win a piece of silverware and it is a real big feeling,” stated Charles.

Police’s wound was largely self-inflicted. They had now come out of the water break, when veteran goalkeeper Adrian Foncette opted to dwell on the ball rather than clear impending danger away from his penalty area. The ball was thrown into dynamic winger Real Gill and with one bit of magic, the national Under-20 winger split two markers and hit a low shot across the goal. Speedy Charles only had to out-race another former national player, Police right-back Kaydion Gabriel to the ball and touched it in at the back post.

“A good bit of individual skill and at the same time some really poor defending unlocked us and we conceded,” explained Richard Hood, the Police FC head coach. “It is unfortunate that we came out on the losing end tonight but I’m happy with the effort.”

Rangers managing director Richard Ferguson applauded the effort of both teams during a SportsMax post-match interview where he praised the work of Police coach Hood.“I think his team (Police) was absolutely magnificent. They played brilliant football. It is hard to come here and stunt the Rangers attack and they did that,” stated Ferguson. “We average over four goals a game and it’s very difficult for a team to come here and concede just one goal and they (Police) did it very well .”

Ferguson, also the main man behind the Ascension tournament, says that the real winner was the local game.

“I think the real winner is Trinidad football,” Ferguson declared. “This tournament has really brought Trinidad and Tobago football to the fore. It has changed the platform on which it is played. The crowds really coming out...the television is absolutely fantastic and that’s the real winner.”

RESULTS:

(Friday)

AC Port of Spain 2 (Duane Muckette 35th, Josiah Wilson 45th+1) Deportivo Point Fortin 1 (Shackiel Henry 72nd)

La Horquetta Rangers 1 (Tyronne Charles, 82nd) Police FC 0

UPCOMING ASCENSION MATCHES:

(Today)

Real West Fort vs Moruga FC,

St James Barracks, 5 p.m.

[Tallman]

Gary Griffith III nets twice as Real West Fort trounce Moruga
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday)

FORMER Trinidad and Tobago youth team striker Gary Griffith III scored a pair as Real West Fort United trounced cellar-placed Moruga FC 5-0 at the Police Barracks, St James on Sunday, in a Round 15 encounter of the Ascension Invitational Football Tournament. Griffith III, who was a member of the T&T men’s team during their ill-fated 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, scored a penalty in the 26th minute, and a close-range shot in the 88th.

Jezneel Duntin’s scored an own goal after 22 minutes, and there were strikes from veteran striker Josimar Belgrave (36th) and Kordell Samuel (53rd).

On Friday, Terminix La Horquetta Rangers moved one step closer towards clinching the 2022 crown with a narrow 1-0 victory over Police, in the second of back-to-back matches at the La Horquetta Recreation Ground, Arima.

Former T&T winger Tyrone Charles slotted home a pass from T&T Under-20 attacker Real Gill, in the 82nd minute, to secure their 13th victory from 15 games.

In the earlier fixture at La Horquetta, mid-table outfit AC Port of Spain defeated Deportivo Point Fortin 2-1.

Duane Muckette (35th) and Josiah Wilson (43rd) were on target for AC Port of Spain. Shackiel Henry pulled one back for Point Fortin, in the 72nd. With Police slipping up on Friday, Defence Force moved back to second spot with a 5-0 hammering on Central Soccer World, in the second of back-to-back matches on Saturday, at the Arima Velodrome.

Kathon St Hillaire notched a pair (48th and 65th) while Justin Sadoo (50th), Jelani Felix (54th) and Brent Sam (62nd) chipped in with one apiece.

Cunupia FC, who have struggled in the absence of their marksman and captain Kevon “Showtime” Woodley, fell to a 3-1 defeat to Central FC, in the first game on Saturday.

Getting their names on the scoresheet for Central FC were Keasean St Rose (18th), Leonardo Da Costa (22nd) and Romario Burke (45th), with Hakeem Legall (54th) responding for Cunupia.

Points Tally – 1.Rangers 41; 2.Defence Force 34; 3.Police 33; 4.Deportivo Point Fortin 30; 5.AC Port of Spain 18; 6.Cunupia FC 15; 7.Real West Fort United 14; 8.Central Soccer World 13; 9.Central FC 12; 10.Moruga FC 1.

[Flex]

Rangers look to wrap up Ascension title today
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday).

TERMINIX La Horquetta Rangers will be looking to wrap up the title, in the 2022 Ascension Invitational Football Tournament, on Friday when they host Defence Force, in a top-of-the-table fixture, at the La Horquetta Recreation Ground, Arima.

Rangers have amassed 41 points from 15 points, with their nearest challengers, Defence Force and Police, on 34 and 33 points respectively.

The only unbeaten team left in the competition, a victory for Rangers against the Army-Coast Guard combination can see the Dave Quamina-coached squad taking the title, with two games remaining.

AC Port of Spain will be in action at La Horquetta on Friday, as they will oppose Central FC from 6 pm.

On Saturday, at the Arima Velodrome, the cellar-placed Moruga FC will try to gain at least their second point of the season when they square off against Central Soccer World at 5 pm, followed by the fixture between Real West Fort United and Cunupia FC at 7.15 pm.

Police will face off against fourth-placed Deportivo Point Fortin on Sunday, at the Police Barracks, St James, from 5 pm.

[Deeks]

After this game. What next for TT football ?