2023/24 TTPFL Thread

[Tallman]

AC PoS, Police maintain unbeaten records as TTPFL resumes
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)

TABLE-TOPPERS AC PoS (15 points) and second-placed Police FC (14 points) maintained their unbeaten runs in the 2023/24 TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) season with respective 2-1 wins on Wednesday night.

At the Arima Velodrome, AC PoS were trailing Eagles FC (formerly Cunupia FC) by a 1-0 margin at halftime. However, AC PoS playmaker Che Benny turned the game on its head in the second half with a pair of trademark free kicks to complete the comeback and give his team the precious three points to stay atop the table with five wins from five games.

At the St James Barracks, Police went down to ten men on home soil for the second time this season, as defender Mekeil Williams was issued a straight red for a foul on Hughtun Hector in the 42nd minute. Just like their game against 1976 FC Phoenix earlier this season though, Police remained resolute and were able to pull off the win as they got by Point Fortin Civic.

The lawmen scored inside the first minute, with Willis Plaza powerfully heading in a left-side corner from Jabari Mitchell. Police weathered a sustained spell of pressure from Civic in the first half, with the visitors lacking a clinical touch in front of goal.

In the 62nd minute, Police punished the wasteful Civic team, when in-form Soca Warriors defender Alvin Jones banged in a penalty past his national teammate Denzil Smith. Civic did not relent in their pursuits to catch up with Police, and they got their own penalty in the 77th minute for a handball in the area.

Substitute Luke Phillips had his penalty saved by Police captain Adrian Foncette, but the Civic midfielder was able to slam in the rebound to reduce the deficit to 2-1.

Though they had the numerical advantage, Civic could not break Police's resistance and the lawmen were able to stretch their unbeaten run to six matches.

In other results at press time, defending TTPFL champions Defence Force defeated Caledonia 2-1 and Terminix La Horquetta Rangers thumped Central FC by a 5-0 margin at the Phase 2 La Horquetta Recreation Grounds.

[Flex]

AC Port of Spain's Jomoul Francois eyes return after fracturing leg.
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday).

After spending just over six months on the sideline after suffering a serious injury during the midst of the inaugural TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) season in June 2023, AC PoS striker Jomoul Francois is targeting a return for the ongoing 2023/24 campaign next month.

Francois, 28, was one of the key figures for AC PoS as they made their charge for the TTPFL title last year – scoring eight league goals to go with exciting direct play up top. On June 20, Francois’ season came to an end during an AC PoS training session in Valsayn, as he fractured his right leg after trying to shoot to goal in a 50/50 duel with defender Kerron St Cyr. The injury occurred just four days before AC PoS’ season-defining game with Defence Force on the final day of the TTPFL season.

Army won the thrilling encounter by a 2-1 margin at the Arima Velodrome to finish the season on 56 points – one more than AC PoS – and clinch the TTPFL title. As he recalled the “unfortunate” incident which he said was a freak accident, Francois said he struggled to hold back the tears as he thought about the ramifications of his injury.

“All the pain came down on me. I was trying to lift my foot off the ground but I could not move. (My teammates) had to lift me off the field. It was a really big letdown for me, knowing it (happened before) the last game of the season,” Francois told Newsday. “It was like a final, if we had won the game, we would have won the league. Unfortunately, I did not even get to play so it was a bit difficult on my side.

“It was heart-breaking. It did not come my way so it was a bit difficult to get over.”

Francois, who made his TT men’s debut under then-coach Dennis Lawrence in 2019, also felt as though his dreams of representing the national team could potentially fade away.

“Yeah, national team selection ran through my mind. All of these things ran through my mind,” he said.

The nippy forward was among a host of locally based players who turned out for the Soca Warriors in friendly action away to Jamaica in March 2023 under coach Angus Eve. Francois started the game in his favoured number nine position and played 62 minutes as TT got a 1-0 win via a Reon Moore goal.

During his rehabilitation period, Francois said TT team manager Richard Piper contacted him to see how the recovery process was going. Francois’ road to recovery included monthly visits to Medical Associates Hospital in St Joseph where was treated by orthopaedic surgeon Dr Emerson Budhoo. His last visit to Dr Budhoo was in November.

Francois then had two weeks of therapy sessions with The Sports Medic TT in St Augustine, before they were paused during the Christmas period. Under AC PoS’ guidance, Francois said he will be resuming physiotherapy this week as he works his way towards his return.

He said, “The support (from AC PoS) was good. It could have been better. They helped with my doctor fees and stuff, so it was good.” When he suffered the injury last season, Francois was approaching the end of a four-month contract that would have covered the inaugural TTPFL season which spanned from March to June 2023. With AC PoS starting the 2023/24 season with four consecutive wins, Francois intends to rejoin the “Capital Boys” as they take another shot at the TTPFL title.

“I have not signed a new contract yet. I have not signed a contract with anyone, but most likely I will be signing a new contract with AC PoS.”

And though he wants to get back to the beautiful game, Francois is not rushing the process.

“So far, I am free to walk. I just have to do gym work on my foot to strengthen it back up and that is it. From there, I will start to run and be in training with the guys.

“For now, I would like to take it day by day. I want to get better and stronger, and then we will take it from there.”

[Flex]

Strong 2nd half leads Club Sando to win.
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday).

TIGER Tanks Club Sando won the late matchday six fixture against Prison Service FC 3-0 at Arima Velodrome on Wednesday night.

After a goal-less first half, the floodgates opened up in the second half.

Shervohnez Hamilton broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute, before Jabarri Henry doubled Club Sando's lead in the 61st minute.

The scoring did not end there as Ajani McIntyre was on target in the 88th minute. With the win, Club Sando moved to fourth in the 11-team standings with ten points and Prison dropped down the table to sixth position as they remained on nine points.

Above Club Sando on the standings are AC Port of Spain (15 points), Miscellaneous Police FC (14 points) and defending champions Defence Force (11 points).

[Tallman]

Police snatch TTPFL lead; champs Defence Force edge AC PoS
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)

Police FC (17 points) defeated Morvant Caledonia 2-1 on Saturday night as they extended their unbeaten run in the T&T Premier Football League (TTPFL) to seven games, in a double header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo. The victory propelled Police to the top of the 11-team table.

Caledonia fired three more shots than Police in the match, but just one was on target. Police had four shots, with two of them shaking the net.

Police, who have bolstered their squad this season with a number of current and former TT international players, took the lead in the 41st minute through a goal from former St Anthony's College standout Kwesi "Jep" Allen.

Allen completed a quick and decisive Police attack which needed less than five passes, in a move that started as a goal-kick and ended with the Caledonia goalie picking up the ball from his net.

Police midfielder Keron "Ball Best" Cummings showed great awareness to provide the assist to Allen, after receiving the ball in central midfield and flicking it over his head into the path of Allen, who caught the Caledonia central defender on the wrong side of his shoulder. Allen raced to goal and placed a low left-footer past the Caledonia goalkeeper as the defence closed in on him.

Playmaker Joevin Jones made it 2-0 in the 82nd minute after a gift by Caledonia. A sloppy back pass was intercepted by Police's Jabari Mitchell who crossed the ball for Jones, who controlled the ball with his chest before slotting it into the open net. Despite appeals by Caledonia for a handball, the goal stood.

Caledonia netted a consolation through a stoppage-time penalty from Azahrias Ali.

Man-of-the-Match Allen hailed the tough practice sessions by Police coach Wendell Joseph for their unbeaten run.

Joseph said, "Three points tonight is very important. That in itself puts pressure on the league leaders."

He said his veterans, particularly midfielder Khaleem Hyland, are digging deep to get the job done.

"Khaleem is not fit. Khaleem is not where he supposed to be, but his ability and his experiences will carry him a long way. Remember he played all over the world and captained T&T for a long period, so we were counting on that (experience) tonight."

Caledonia coach Jerry Moe was pleased with the collective effort but said individual lapses and lack of experience are costing them in matches. He said the team is creating chances but not scoring.

In the second game of the Hasely Crawford double-header, a stoppage-time goal from midfielder Rivaldo Coryat settled the contest as defending champions Defence Force (14 points) got a slender 1-0 win over last season's TTPFL runners-up AC PoS (15 points).

The "Capital Boys" came into the game on the back of a five-game winning streak as they had held a one-point advantage over Police. With the keenly contested encounter seemingly heading to a goalless draw as the allotted four minutes of stoppage-time elapsed, Coryat sent his teammates into a frenzy as he beat former Soca Warriors custodian Marvin Phillip in the sixth minute of additional time with a low left-footed shot from the edge of the area after an ill-advised defensive header from AC PoS right back Liam Burns.

Army's win consolidated third spot on the table, with AC PoS slipping to second. However, the win could give momentum to an Army team which started the campaign with inconsistent showings.

Defence Force have fond memories facing AC PoS, after beating them 2-1 on June 24, 2023, to leapfrog their opponents in the final game of the inaugural season to clinch the title.

Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic (seven points) got their second win of the season as they edged Prisons FC by a 2-1 margin in a wild finish at the Mahaica Sporting Complex in Point Fortin. The game was deadlocked for most of the 90 minutes, but the hosts Civic took the lead in the 78th minute with a penalty from Isaiah Thompson. Prisons equalised through a goal from former Civic defender Weslie John in the 86th minute. However, flanker Ezekiel Kesar sealed the three points for Civic as he scored mere seconds after John's equaliser to break the hearts of the Prisons players.

Civic moved up to seventh spot, with Prisons (nine points) staying in sixth.

TTPFL standings

Teams*GP*W*L*D*GD*Pts

Miscellaneous Police*7*5*0*2*+12*17

AC Port of Spain*6*5*1*0*+13*15

Defence Force*7**4*1*2*+8*14

Tiger vTanks Club Sando*6*4*1*1*+6*13

Terminex La Horquetta Rangers*5*3*2*0*+3*9

Prison FC*7*3*4*0*-6*9

Heritage Petroleum Pt Fortin Civic*6*2*3*1*+1*7

Caledonia FC*6*2*4*0*-2*6

FC Eagles*6*1*3*2*-2*5

FC 1976 Phoenix*6*1*5*0*-11*3

Central FC*6*0*6*0*-22*0

[Tallman]

Mulraine resigns as Guaya coach
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian)

Travis Mulraine has resigned from his position as coach of T&T Premier Football League’s Tier 2 outfit Guaya United.

His decision to resign, citing improper organisation at the club, came on Wednesday, a few days before the team plays its third match of the tournament against RSSR at its Guayaguayare Recreation Ground on Sunday.

Mulraine, 46, told Guardian Media Sports that he struggled to get simple things such as refreshments and kits for training and matches. The club manager and owner Randy Hagley said on Saturday that there was also poor attendance at training sessions, which affected the team badly during matches.

After a failed attempt to have its opening game of the season put off due to no uniforms, Guaya claimed its first three points from a 3-0 victory over Eagles FC before a loss against Police left them with a win-loss record in two matches.

Hagley confirmed that Mulraine’s place was filled by former national defender Glenton Wolfe, who started his career at North East Stars, which is now AC Port-of-Spain, of the T&T Pro League. Wolfe also represented San Juan Jabloteh and W Connection in the Pro League.

In November last year, Naparima College parted ways with Mulraine and his assistant coach Anthony Sherwood. Mulraine and his technical staff took over at “Naps” in 2022 after former head coach Angus Eve took up the post as Trinidad and Tobago Senior Men’s Team head coach.

In 2014, Wolfe moved to India to sign for Churchill Brothers SC in the I-League where he joined his brother Anthony Wolfe.

Shortly after Churchill Brothers were relegated, Wolfe signed for rivals Sporting Clube de Goa. Locally, Wolfe’s pedigree as a coach is expected to be tested despite playing against unfancied RSSR who has been winless in the league so far. That match will begin at 4 pm.

Apart from the Guaya/RSSR match-up, Harlem Strikers will attempt to claim home advantage when they face the University of T&T at 3.30 pm at their Frederick Settlement home in Caroni, while the MIC Matura United will have a date with Defence Force at 5 pm at their Matura home ground.

Matura is unbeaten to date, courtesy of the goal-scoring prowess of strikers Shakiel “Smeck” Henry and Kerin “Chucks” Vincent. However, they could face a tricky test against the Army Coast-Guard Combination team which has not been at their best as yet.

In another game today, Petit Valley Diego Martin (PVDM) United will be up against Queen’s Park at 3.30 pm at St Anthony’s College Ground in Westmoorings.

[Flex]

Rangers down Eagles FC with second-half flurry.
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday).

Terminix La Horquetta Rangers (12 points) consolidated fifth spot on the 2023/24 Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) table ahead of their clash with defending champions Defence Force, as they got a comfortable 3-0 win over Eagles FC (formerly Cunupia FC) at the Phase 2 La Horquetta recreation ground on Sunday evening.

Hosting the ninth-placed Eagles, Rangers were held scoreless in the first half before opening the floodgates after the interval. Rangers striker Isaiah Lee got his fourth goal of the young season when he opened the scoring in the 57th minute with a precise header after being left unmarked at the back post. Just five minutes later, Rangers' veteran attacker Tyrone Charles also notched his fourth goal of the campaign when he beat Eagles custodian Nicholas Dick from the penalty spot.

In second-half stoppage-time, Rangers' bombarding fullback Ross Russell Jr sealed the three points and put the icing on the cake, when he dribbled past a few Eagles players before banging a shot off the post and into the net.

Rangers pulled to within five points of TTPFL leaders Police (17 points), with Eagles near to the foot of the table on five points. On Friday, Rangers will put their new-found form to the test when they meet Defence Force (14 points), from 6 pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo. Also on Friday, Police and last season's runners-up, AC PoS (15 points), will meet in a top-of-the-table clash at the St James Police Barracks.

TTFPL tier one standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

1.Police FC*7*5*2*0*17*5*12*17

2.AC PoS*6*5*0*1*18*5*13*15

3.Defence Force FC*7*4*2*1*16*8*8*14

4.Club Sando*6*4*1*1*10*4*6*13

5.La Horquetta Rangers*6*4*0*2*14*8*6*12

6.Prisons FC*7*3*0*4*11*17*-6*9

7.Point Fortin Civic*6*2*1*3*9*8*1*7

8.Caledonia*6*2*0*4*8*10*-2*6

9.Eagles FC*7*1*2*4*6*11*-5*5

10.1976 FC Phoenix*6*1*0*5*5*16*-11*3

11.Central FC*6*0*0*6*3*25*-22*0

[Flex]

Gill on target as Club Sando draw Pt Fortin Civic.
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday).

CLUB Sando remained in fourth position after being held to a 1-1 draw by Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic in the first game of matchday eight of the TT Premier Football League at Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar, Arima Friday.

A victory would have moved Club Sando to second in the standings momentarily with the top three teams all playing late on Friday.

National player Real Gill continued his prolific season, opening the scoring for Club Sando in the 23rd minute.

Pt Fortin, seventh in the standings, equalised halfway through the second half through Andre Ettienne in the 67th minute.

Three matches were completed after press time on Friday. In a double-header at St James Police Barracks, third-placed Defence Force played fifth-placed Terminix La Horquetta Rangers at 6 pm and leaders Miscellaneous Police FC faced second-placed AC Port of Spain at 8.10 pm.

In the last match of matchday eight, Prisons Service FC and Caledonia will play at Arima Velodrome at 6 pm on Sunday.

[Fyzoman]

The way Real Gill playing and scoring, this means Malcom Shaw is sure to start against Canada while Real sits on the bench!

Also Mr. Muckette, with his goal-scoring, tempo-keeping midfielder self will NOT a see second of playing time against Canada...unless it's a lost-cause late in the game, and still even then I'd be surprised...smfh.

[Tallman]

AC PoS evade Police FC 1-0 to go top of Premier League
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday)

ATHLETIC Club Port of Spain (AC PoS) evaded T&T Premier Football League (TTPFL) leaders Police FC to steal a narrow 1-0 victory and go top of the table when action kicked off at the St James Police Barracks on Friday.

Duane Muckette’s 17th-minute goal in front of a bumper crowd was all that separated the top two teams. His decisive strike affirmed three points for the ‘Capital Boys’ and rose them to pole position on the 11-team standings.

AC PoS (18 pts) now hold a slim one-point lead ahead of their Police (17 pts) rivals.

The result also ended Police’s seven-match unbeaten run and returned AC PoS back to winning ways after their 1-0 loss to Defence Force last weekend.

In the earlier match at the Barracks, third-placed Defence Force stayed on the heels of the leading pair as they defeated fifth-place Terminix La Horquetta Rangers 2-0.

Goals from Justin ‘Shiggy’ Garcia in the 67th minute and Rivaldo Coryat in the 85th were good enough to see off Rangers. Army’s three points saw them draw level with AC PoS on 17 pts.

Additionally, in a bottom-of-the-table tie at Dwight Yorke Stadium in Tobago, home team 1976 FC Phoenix kept Central winless after seven matches as they swept the visitors 5-1.

This came courtesy a hat-trick from striker Mickaeel Jim Gordon (34’, 39’, 77’). However, Real Sebro scored the opener in the 30th before Gordon fired two more past the Central FC custodian before halftime.

With a 3-0 advantage heading into the second period, Central FC’s Dominic Douglas pulled one back in the 62nd.

But in the 77th, Gordon completed his first hat-trick of the season by finding the back of the net once more.

One minute into extra time, Phoenix’s Andes Noray fired home another goal to give the home team a healthy triumph in front of their fans.

The result gave the Tobago-based team their second win in seven matches. They soared past Eagles FC (formerly Cunupia FC) into ninth position with six points. Meanwhile, Central FC are yet to notch a victory after seven rounds of matches and are yet to earn a point this season.

Also, in the earliest match on Friday, fourth-place Tiger Tanks Club Sando were held to a 1-1 draw by Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic FC at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar.

National player Real Gill continued his good run of form by scoring for Club Sando in the 23rd minute. However, seventh-place Point Fortin pulled one back in the 67th courtesy of Andre Etienne.

In the last match of matchday eight, Prisons Service FC and Caledonia will play at Arima Velodrome at 6 pm on Sunday.

[Flex]

Prison FC grab late winner against Caledonia.
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday).

PRISON Service FC snatched a stoppage time winner against Caledonia in the last match of matchday eight in the TT Premier Football League at Arima Velodrome on Sunday.

Prison took the lead through a 22nd minute goal by Joshua Araujo-Wilson, a lead the service men held until half-time.

In the 74th minute, Caledonia thought it did enough to share the points as Mahvy Rismay found the equaliser in the 74th minute.

Jeremiah Vidale then gave Prison a late winner when he found the back of the net four minutes into stoppage time.

Prison are now in sixth position in the 11-team standings with 12 points and Caledonia are eighth with six points.

[Flex]

AC PoS lock down Prisons to stretch TTPFL lead, Gill bags winner for Sando.
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday).

Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) table-toppers AC PoS (21 points) stretched their lead to four points on Friday night, when they got a massive 5-1 win over Prisons FC (12 points) at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

Playing the second game of a double-header, AC PoS were relentless against the sixth-placed Prisons outfit, and they put the game well out of reach by the 37th minute – jumping out to an emphatic 4-0 lead. AC PoS forward Isaiah "Bongo" Leacock was in a poaching mood in front of goal, and he bagged a first-half hat-trick with his sharp instincts in the box on full display.

Leacock, who featured in TTPFL's tier two last season, opened the scoring for the league leaders in the 14th minute when he squeezed a looping shot over goalkeeper Kahlil Oliver from a tight angle on the left side of the area.

With AC PoS' high-pressing style forcing Prisons into several errors in their own half, the hosts dominated proceedings and looked threatening with every wave of attack. In the 19th minute, Leacock doubled his and AC PoS' tally with a close-range header after a Prisons defender valiantly blocked a goal-bound effort from AC PoS captain Duane Muckette.

The league leaders were running an early riot against the Prisons team, and the servicemen seemed to have no answers. In the 25th minute, AC PoS defender Malik Mieres got his team's third goal with a close-range header of his own following a left-side corner from John-Paul Rochford.

Leacock sealed his hat-trick in the 37th minute with a typical poacher's item, when he tucked away a rebound from a few yards out following an initial goal-saving block by a Prisons defender. With his third goal, Leacock took his season's tally to six goals, and went level with Defence Force attacker Brent Sam atop the TTPFL's goal-scoring charts.

AC PoS took their feet off the gas in the second half, and Prisons showed fight and quality in the attacking third upon the resumption after making a few changes to their forward line at halftime. Prisons substitute Jeremiah Vidale thumped the AC PoS bar with a venomous right-footed shot in the 50th minute, before fellow substitute Nathaniel Perouse pulled a goal back eight minutes later with a shot which deflected off veteran defender Radanfah Abu Bakr.

Perouse and Vidale combined well in the attacking third, but AC PoS were large and in charge in Mucurao. The "Capital Boys" put the icing on the cake in the 79th minute, when Muckette calmly placed a shot into the bottom corner following a counter-attack.

In the first game of the double-header, Nicholas Dillon and Soca Warriors winger Real Gill found the back of the net for Tiger Tanks Club Sando (17 points), who earned a 2-1 win against Caledonia (six points). Dillon gave Sando the lead just before the half, when he slid in a right-footed shot after receiving a slick back heel pass from defender Jamal Jack in the final third.

Caledonia equalised in the 51st minute through San Juan North Secondary standout Lindell Sween, who slammed in a rebound after custodian Miles Goodman stopped his initial penalty effort.

Gill, who is set to join United Soccer League (USL) team Northern Colorado Hailstorm, sealed the points for Sando in the 77th minute when he sweeped in a right-footed shot from inside the area as the visitors pounced on a dreadful turnover from Caledonia defender Carlyle Mitchell.

Sando consolidated fourth spot on the 11-team table, with Caledonia remaining in eight.

At the Mahaica Sporting Complex in Point Fortin, home team Point Fortin (11 points) left it extremely late against Tobago's 1976 FC Phoenix (six points) to eke out a 2-1 win.

Civic defender Andre Ettienne dramatically scored a winner in the fourth minute of stoppage-time to hand the seventh-placed Point their third win of the season. Earlier, either team scored a penalty in the first half to go into the game locked at 1-1. Ettienne's late heroics ensured the points would not be split.

TTFPL tier one standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts
1.AC PoS*8*7*0*1*24*6*18*21
2.Police FC*8*5*2*1*17*6*11*17
3.Defence Force FC*8*5*2*1*18*8*10*17
4.Club Sando*8*5*2*1*13*6*7*17
5.La Horquetta Rangers*7*4*0*3*14*10*4*12
6.Prisons FC*9*4*0*5*14*23*-9*12
7.Point Fortin Civic*8*3*2*3*12*10*2*11
8.Caledonia*8*2*0*6*10*14*-4*6
9.1976 FC Phoenix*8*2*0*6*11*19*-8*6
10.Eagles FC*7*1*2*4*6*11*-5*5
11.Central FC*7*0*0*7*4*30*-26*0

[Flex]

Police, Rangers all square; Eagles FC earn 2nd TTPFL win.
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday).

A second-half shootout between Police and La Horquetta Rangers ended with a share of the spoils in the second match of a TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) doubleheader, at the La Horquetta Recreation Ground.

After a goalless first half, Isaiah Lee fired Rangers ahead with a long-range strike in the 56th minute.

Police did not take long to respond, as Robert Primus notched the equaliser nine minutes later with a header from a free-kick.

The experienced Joevin Jones showed his class by scoring a free-kick to put Police in front in the 77th minute.

But Rangers would not go home empty-handed as a corner caused havoc in the Police box with Willis Plaza turning the ball into his own net in the 93rd minute.

In the earlier contest, Eagles FC brushed aside bottom-dwellers Central FC 3-1.

A double by forward Kevon "Showtime" Woodley kept Central FC still searching for a point after eight games this season.

Exilus Angelo opened the scoring for Eagles FC in the third minute, before Woodley made it 2-0 four minutes later. The lanky forward was on target again in the 82nd to put the game to bed.

Levin Caballero scored a consolation for Central FC in the 86th.

The victory lifted the Michael De Four-coached Eagles, formerly Cunupia FC, to eighth in the 11-team standings. Eagles have gicen a strong account themselves this season and given a few title contenders some scares along the way.

TTPFL Standings

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts
AC Port of Spain*8*7*1*0*+18*21
Police*9*5*1*3*+11*18
Defence Force*8*5*1*2*+10*17
Club Sando*8*5*1*2*+7*17
Terminex La Horquetta Rangers*8*4*3*1*+4*13
Prison FC*9*4*5*0*-9*12
Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic*8*3*3*2*+2*11
FC Eagles*8*2*4*2*-3*8
Caledonia FC*8*2*6*0*-4*6
1976 Phoenix*8*2*6*0*-8*6
Central FC*8*0*8*0*-28*0

[Tallman]

Harlem Strikers hit the front in Tier 2
T&T Express

Harlem Strikers took advantage of defeats for Matura Reunited and Petit Valley/Diego Martin United (PVDM) to jump to the top of the Tier Two standings in the Trinidad and Tobago Professional Football League (TTPFL).

On Sunday, Strikers came from a goal down to beat previous leaders MIC Matura Reunited 4-2, while second-placed PVDM were upset 3-2 by Guaya United.

Matura took the lead in the first half through Shackiel Henry (36th minute). But in the second half, Moses Jaikaran levelled the scores in the 52nd minute. Kareem Baptiste then put Strikers 2-1 up three minutes later, only for Henry to draw Matura level with his second goal in the 61st minute. But Jaikaran responded again for Strikers with a 70th minute strike from the penalty spot to make it 3-2 and an own goal by Delaney Zamore in the 80th snuffed out any chance of another recovery by Matura. They have now dropped to second on goal difference, both Harlem Strikers and Matura Reunited having 13 points.

PVDM Utd are a point behind, having missed the chance to take the lead themselves after they were edged out by Guaya.

PVDM found themselves trailing from as early as the eighth minute when Omari Campbell found the net. And the 1-0 scoreline didn’t change until the 70th minute when Akeel Paul put Guaya 2-0 ahead. PVDM then pulled a goal back six minutes later through Josiah Alleyne, only for Daniel Ferrier to restore Guaya’s two-goal advantage in the 84th minute. Kiron Manswell got a consolation item for PVDM in the 90th minute. Guaya are now sixth.

In other matches, San Fernando Giants jumped from sixth to fourth after beating T&T Police Force (previously fourth) 2-0; Central Soccer World edged Defence (previously fifth) 1-0; University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) blanked Club Sando 6-0; RSSR beat RC Eagles 2-1 and Bethel SC edged Miscellaneous Laventille United 2-1.

Weekend Tier 2 scores:

San Fernando Giants 1 (Marlon Phillip) TT Police 0

Bethel 2 (Teejay Cadiz, Quason Sharp) Laventille Utd 1 (Kersheem Alexander)

RC Eagles 1 (Leroy Whyle 12) RSSR 2 (Hakim Gulston, Kyle Thomas)

Club Sando 0 UTT 6 (Jerry Morris 3, Cyrano Glen 2, Malachi Hazel)

Guaya Utd 3 (Omari Campbell, Akeel Paul, Daniel Ferrier) PVDM Utd 2 (Josiah Alleyne, Kiron Manswell)

Central Soccer World 1 (Isaiah Codogan) Defence Force 0

Matura Reunited 2 (Shackiel Henry 2) Harlem Strikers 4 (Moses Jaikaran 2, Kereem Baptiste, Delaney Zamore o.g)

[Tallman]

FIFA officials share knowledge, tell local league: TTPFL missing out on revenue
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday)

CEO of the T&T Premier Football League (TTPFL) Colin Wharfe said the league has the potential to increase revenue tenfold and fans fourfold. This is according to officials from the FIFA Professional Football Department and Portas Consulting, who are in T&T for one week in an effort to improve the level of the local football league.

On Tuesday, a session was held at the Home of Football in Couva with TTPFL premier one clubs.

FIFA strategic development manager, professional football Alvaro Carias is one of the facilitators and Jon Culligan of Portas Consulting, a company working with Fifa in directing the TTPFL.

Culligan said the examination of the league will be broken down into six areas: decision-making; commercial opportunities to earn more revenue; competition structure and format; clubs and players; the level of fan interest; and the quality of the workforce.

Earning more income is attainable, Fifa has told the TTPFL. "We are missing huge financial opportunities even where we are sitting right now," Wharfe said. "They worked out that we could move the revenue ten-fold, we could move our contact in terms of audience fourfold by doing a number of things within the communities...if it is done in a more structured fashion the benefits that would derive would be exponential in nature."

Wharfe said changes would take place over a three to four-year period.

He said clubs are starting to do better financially with support from FIFA, the Government and sponsors.

"Certainly in tier one, the 11 clubs that are participating now I would say between nine or ten of them are very comfortable for the season, which was not the case last year...again with the support of the Government and FIFA and sponsors are coming into the league...not as we would like, but we are meeting with them to have a chat with them tomorrow."

FIFA has been contributing financially in an effort to improve the TTPFL. Wharfe said, "What they contribute financially is the smallest part of what they do. Financially they have committed to US$350,000 per annum for the next three years. I suspect that may be extended, but I don't want to get ahead of myself."

Wharfe said it is an expensive undertaking to have Fifa officials in T&T as they are sacrificing their time for little expense. "They are supporting us financially and in kind and to invest a week of a senior FIFA person's time in Trinidad is not something that they do, so it gives you a sense that they are committed. Their request of us is that we are equally committed both at the league level and at the club level, otherwise it just won't happen."

Wharfe said some of the goals of FIFA are to see a TTPFL team win a Caribbean football tournament, get young players out into the public domain, build a website and start a programme to develop players.

Asked about the biggest deficiency in the TTPFL, Wharf said clubs need to pay attention to many areas to run a club, not just on the field of play. "The clubs themselves concentrate a lot on football and not on the rest of the things that makes for a successful football club."

[Tallman]

Phoenix rise over Eagles for 1st TTPFL win in Trinidad
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)

Tobago's 1976 FC Phoenix (nine points) moved up to eighth on the 2023/24 TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) table when they got a comeback 2-1 win over Eagles FC at the Arima Velodrome in Friday's early game.

Winners of the TTPFL tier two division last season, Phoenix went into the match in tenth place and two points behind Eagles (eight points), who were eighth before kickoff. Eagles got the perfect start in the 11th minute, when their veteran striker Kevon "Showtime" Woodley tucked away a rebound to get his sixth goal of the season. Woodley, who hails from the countryside village of Charlotteville in Tobago, was soaring high for Eagles early on. However, Woodley and Eagles' flight was soon cut down by the visiting Phoenix.

Phoenix equalised in the 18th minute through their own star attacker Jem Gordon, who also got his sixth goal of the season after rounding Eagles custodian Nicholas Dick.

With previous home wins against Terminix La Horquetta Rangers (4-0) and Central FC (5-1), Phoenix scored another goal in the first half to get their first win away from the comfort of the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, Tobago.

Jariel Arthur sealed the three points for Phoenix in the 28th minute with a header past Dick to notch his second goal of the season as the Tobago club leapfrogged Eagles in the standings. Eagles slipped to ninth on the 11-team table.

There were two other TTPFL matches played after press time on Friday.

TTFPL tier one standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

1.AC PoS*8*7*0*1*24*6*18*21

2.Police FC*9*5*3*1*19*8*11*18

3.Defence Force FC*8*5*2*1*18*8*10*17

4.Club Sando*8*5*2*1*13*6*7*17

5.La Horquetta Rangers*8*4*1*3*16*12*4*13

6.Prisons FC*9*4*0*5*14*23*-9*12

7.Point Fortin Civic*8*3*2*3*12*10*2*11

8.1976 FC Phoenix*9*3*0*6*13*20*-7*9

9.Eagles FC*9*2*2*5*10*14*-4*8

10.Caledonia*8*2*0*6*10*14*-4*6

11.Central FC*8*0*0*8*5*33*-28*0

[Flex]

AC PoS hit back to beat Club Sando 4-2.
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday).

AC Port of Spain continued their winning form this season with a come-from-behind 4-2 win over Club Sando when matchday ten of the TT Premier Football League continued at Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on Friday.

It was expected to be a competitive affair as AC were first and Club Sando fourth in the standings heading into the contest.

Real Gill, who recently signed to play with Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC for the 2024 United Soccer League, gave Club Sando the lead in the 15th minute from the penalty spot.

AC Port of Spain then equalised courtesy a 33rd-minute penalty from captain Duane Muckette, before Nicholas Dillon restored Club Sando's lead with a 42nd-minute item.

AC Port of Spain's team talk seemed to work at half-time as three early second-half goals gave the "Capital Boys" a 4-2 lead. Isaiah Leacock equalised in the 51st minute and four minutes later, Kadeem Corbin put AC in front with a 55th-minute strike.

Defender Radanfah Abu Bakr made it three goals in less than ten minutes when he scored in the 59th minute.

Leaders AC moved to 24 points with eight wins and one loss and Club Sando stayed in fourth place with 17 points.

In the first match of the doubleheader at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Defence Force moved up the standings with a comfortable 3-0 win over the struggling Central FC. Kathon St Hillaire (41st), Brent Sam (45th) and Shaquille Holder (71st) were the goal scorers for Army. Defence Force are now second with 20 points and Central FC lost their ninth match in as many matches to remain without a point. In the other match played late on Friday, Caledonia and Heritage Petroleum Pt Fortin Civic played to a goalless draw.

In the final match of the weekend, Terminix La Horquetta Rangers will play Prison Service FC at Arima Velodrome from 7 pm on Sunday.

Standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts
AC POS*9*8*0*1*28*8*20*24
Defence Force*9*6*2*1*21*8*13*20
Police*9*5*3*1*19*8*11*18
Club Sando*9*5*2*2*15*10*5*17
Rangers*8*4*1*3*16*12*4*13
Point Fortin Civic*9*3*3*3*12*10*2*12
Prison*9*4*0*5*14*23*-9*12
Phoenix*9*3*0*6*13*20*-7*9
Eagles*9*2*2*5*10*14*-4*8
Caledonia*9*2*1*6*10*14*-4*7
Central*9*0*0*9*5*36*-31*0

[Flex]

Josiah Edwards' hat-trick leads Rangers past Prisons.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday).

STRIKER Josiah Edwards netted a hat-trick to lead Terminix La Horquetta Rangers to a 3-1 triumph over Prisons FC at the Arima Velodrome on January 28, as action continued in the Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) premiership.

Edwards opened his goal account as early as the tenth minute. He put fifth-ranked Rangers further ahead just before half-time, scoring past Prisons’ custodian Kahlil Oliver.

At the resumption, Prisons showed grit and pulled one back in the 51st courtesy Weslie John.

Despite their attempts, however, Prisons could not get the equaliser. They had their hopes further dampened when Edwards found the back of the net for a third time in the 81st to put the tie beyond reach.

The win for Rangers (16 pts) kept them in fifth place on the standings while Prisons (12 pts) remain seventh.

In January 27’s matches, league leaders AC Port of Spain (24 pts) clawed back to defeat fourth-placed Club Sando (17 pts) 4-2, and second-ranked Defence Force (20 pts) were 3-0 victors over winless Central FC. Both matches were held at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

At Mahaica Oval, in Point Fortin, hosts Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic were held to a goalless draw by Caledonia.

Standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts
AC PoS*9*8*0*1*28*8*20*24
Defence Force*9*6*2*1*21*8*13*20
Police*9*5*3*1*19*8*11*18
Club Sando*9*5*2*2*15*10*5*17
Rangers*9*5*1*3*19*13*6*16
Point Fortin Civic*9*3*3*3*12*10*2*12
Prison*10*4*0*6*15*26*-11*12
Phoenix*9*3*0*6*13*20*-7*9
Eagles*9*2*2*5*10*14*-4*8
Caledonia*9*2*1*6*10*14*-4*7
Central*9*0*0*9*5*36*-31*0

[Flex]

Police dominate Central FC 4-0 in Premier League, rise to second on table.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday).

Miscellaneous Police FC climbed into second position on the Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League premiership standings after a dominant 4-0 victory over Central FC in first match of a double-header at La Horquetta Recreations Grounds on Friday.

Two first-half goals from Anthony Wolfe (13’) and Kareem Freitas (41’) gave Police a good lead heading into half time.

Central FC, still winless after ten matches and yet to earn a point this season, tried hard to break down Police’s defence but were no match for the servicemen.

Late into the second period, Kwesi Allen (91’) and Robert Primus (98’) put on the finishing touches as both players scored to seal a convincing win.

The three points for Police elevated them from third to second (21 pts) on the standings. They leapfrogged Defence Force (20 pts), who are now third while AC Port of Spain remains atop the standings on 23 pts.

At the Arima Velodrome on Saturday, AC PoS was carded to face Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic FC from 6:10pm.

In other matches on Friday, Terminix La Horquetta Rangers (19 pts) moved to fourth spot after they defeated, now fifth, Tiger Tanks Club Sando 2-0 in the second match at La Horquetta.

A goal in each half from Daniel David and Leonardo Da Costa affirmed three points for Rangers, who bypassed Club Sando into fourth place.

And at Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar, struggling Caledonia and Tobago’s 1976 FC Phoenix played to a 1-1 draw.

Caledonia had a wonder start as Tevin Scott found the back of the net as early in as the first minute.

However, Phoenix’s Angel Brown scored the equaliser in the 59th minute. With both teams hunting a winning goal in the final half hour, they settled for one point each.

The result sees Phoenix remain in eighth place on ten points while Caledonia are tenth, on eight points.

Teams*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts
AC POS*9*8*0*1*28*8*20*24
Police*10*6*3*1*23*8*9*21
Defence Force*9*6*2*1*21*8*13*20
Rangers*10*6*1*3*21*13*8*19
Club Sando*10*5*2*3*15*12*3*17
Point Fortin Civic*9*3*3*3*12*10*2*12
Prison*10*4*0*6*15*26*-11*12
Phoenix*10*3*1*6*14*21*-7*10
Eagles*9*2*2*5*10*14*-4*8
Caledonia*10*2*2*6*11*15*-4*8
Central*10*0*0*10*5*40*-35*0

[Flex]

Khan leads Giants to Tier II top spot.
T&T Guardian Reports.

Kurlon Khan netted the decisive item to lead San Fernando Giants to a 2-1 win over RSSR FC to climb to the top spot in the T&T Premier Football League Tier II Division at the Morvant Recreation Ground, Park Street, Morvant on Sunday night.

Tyrique Joseph fired the Southerners into a tenth minute but on the stroke of half-time, the prolific Akeem Gulston drew RSSR level.

Both teams then looked headed for a share of the points, but with three minutes left in the contest, Khan fired in the winner for Giants as they moved to the top of the 15-club standings with 16 points from seven matches, one ahead of Central Soccer World who also won 2-1 against Harlem Strikers at Edinburgh 500 Recreation Ground, Chaguanas on Sunday.

Jiron Francis put Strikers ahead in the Central-derby and that lead lasted until Nesean Alexander got Central Soccer World on level terms in the 73rd, followed by his winner, which ironically came three minutes from the final whistle as well.

With the loss, Strikers stayed in the joint third position with Matura ReUnited, and Petit Valley/Diego Martin United while Queen’s Park Cricket Club and Guaya United are next with 12 points each and within touching distance of the top spot as the league takes a three-weeks break for the Carnival festivities before resuming on Saturday, February 24.

Weekend Results

Sunday

San Fernando Giants 2 (Tyrique Joseph 10th, Kurlon Khan 87th) vs RSSR FC 1 (Akeem Gulston 45th)

Central Soccer World 2 (Nesean Alexander 73rd, 87th) vs Harlem Strikers 1 (Jiron Francis 10th)

Saturday

Eagles FC 1 (Malik Anthony 44th) vs PVDM United 1 (Anthony Samuel 45th)

Friday

QPCC 4 (Sean De Silva 45+2, 87th, Winston Johnson 10th, Devon Modeste 90th) vs Miscellaneous Laventille United 0

Latest Tier II standings

Pos Team P W D L F A Pts
1 San F’do Giants 7 5 1 1 13 7 16
2 Central Soccer World 8 4 3 1 10 6 15
3 Harlem Strikers 7 4 1 2 19 8 13
4 Matura ReUnited 6 5 1 1 18 9 13
5 PVDM Utd 8 4 1 3 16 13 13
6 QPCC FC 7 4 0 3 17 8 12
7 Guaya Utd 7 4 0 3 11 9 12
8 Police FC 6 2 2 2 4 4 8
9 Defence Force 5 2 1 2 11 5 7
10 RSSR FC 7 2 1 4 9 15 7
11 RC Eagles 7 1 3 3 8 14 6
12 Bethel SC 5 1 2 2 7 9 5
13 UTT 6 1 1 5 12 17 4
14 Club Sando 5 1 1 3 5 17 4
15 Laventille Utd 7 1 0 6 9 28 3

[Tallman]

Perouse ‘tricks’ Central: Prison move up to 6th in Tier 1 after 4-0 rout
T&T Express

A hat-trick from Nathaniel Perouse gave Prison Service FC a handsome 4-0 victory over Central FC when the Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League Tier 1 competition continued on Saturday following the Carnival break.

In the second match of a double-header at La Horquetta Recreation Ground, Perouse opened the scoring for Prison in the 14th minute before Kevon Williams doubled the lead 14 minutes later.

Perouse scored again in the 46th and the 56th minutes to seal a comfortable victory for his team.

In the first match, hosts Terminix La Horquetta Rangers whipped Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic 2-0 with Tyrone Charles scoring both goals from the penalty mark.

Charles converted in the 73rd minute and doubled his team’s advantage from the spot in stoppage time.

The victory for Rangers (22 points) saw them overtake defending champs Defence Force (20 pts) and Miscellaneous Police FC (21 pts) to move into second behind leaders AC Port of Spain (25 pts). However, all three teams were in action after press time yesterday.

League leaders AC PoS were in action against Caledonia AIA while Eagles FC squared off against Police FC. Meanwhile, defending champions Defence Force FC travelled to Tobago to face 1976 FC Phoenix at Dwight Yorke Stadium.

While Rangers were “in good spirits” following the win, coach Dave Quamina said it “wasn’t one of our better games.”

“I think the break showed. We didn’t play to our best. We knew this game would have been a hard one and this team had a draw with AC and Defence Force, so we know they are a quality team and a hard working team but we came out with the victory tonight so we are in good spirits,” said Quamina.

For Point Fortin Civic coach Reynold Carrington, Saturday night was “frustrating”. He lamented, “I think we should have attacked the goal a bit more and we didn’t take the shots when we had it.”

Of the first penalty conceded, Carrington felt it was a “soft call” by the referee when the game was level. “That is how the cookie crumbles sometimes. We will lick our wounds and come back again,” Carrington added.

Meanwhile, the victory for Prison has given them some momentum as they hunt a top-three finish. They moved up a place into sixth spot on 15 points. Club Sando currently sit fifth (17 pts).

Prison Service assistant coach Leon Lewis said his players executed their plans.

“For the most part of the game, we did what we came out to do in terms of possession, squeezing the team further up pitch and finishing,” said Lewis.

“We still have work to do on our concentration because the better teams will not give you so much time and space on the ball and when you begin to lose focus in this league you will get punished for it,” he continued.

“It has been a lot of hard work for the last three weeks. We have been telling the guys that you have to finish and you have to score because if you don’t the other team will score. Good work by the team but going forward we still have a lot of to do in order to be competitive and finish in the top three in this competition,” Lewis added.

Central coach Shurland David noted “silly errors” in his team’s defence, saying they still have a lot of work to do.

“Too much of silly errors at the back. We are just giving away games,” said David. “It is not like we can get better players because we don’t have the budget, so we will have to work with what we have. We have to continue to work. It is very hard. It is a difficult position we are in and we can only work with what we have.”

TTPFL Tier 1 Scores:

Central FC 0 vs Prison Service FC 4 (Nathaniel Perouse 14’, 46’, 56’, Kevon Williams 28’)

La Horquetta Rangers 2 (Tyrone Charles (73’ pen, 90+8’ pen) vs Point Fortin Civic 0

[Tallman]

1976 Phoenix coach: We don't have big names, but we have quality
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)

1976 FC Phoenix coach Nigel De Souza says his team may not have the big household names, but he believes they have the quality required to compete in the Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) top tier and challenge any rival team.

The Tobago-based Phoenix team, who clinched the inaugural TTPFL tier two title last season, endured a rough start to life in the TTPFL's tier one with a couple of heavy defeats. On November 24, Phoenix were humbled on the opening night of the season by defending champions Defence Force when they fell to a crushing 5-0 defeat.

A week later, Phoenix were then beaten 4-1 by last season's TTPFL runners-up, AC PoS, at Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, Tobago.

De Souza says his charges are doing their utmost to make the Bacolet a fortress, and their first of three TTPFL home wins came in the shape of a thumping 4-0 win over the much-fancied Terminix La Horquetta Rangers team on December 14.

With additional victories over the struggling Central FC and Eagles FC (formerly Cunupia FC) teams, Phoenix again raised eyebrows on Sunday night when they got revenge over Defence Force with a 2-0 win in Bacolet. Phoenix (13 points) consolidated eight spot on the 11-team table, but De Souza says the victory reflects the current mental and physical state of his team and he believes they are now "a little more comfortable with performing at this level."

With Army missing the dangerous attacking pair of Reon Moore and Brent Sam, both of whom are set to take overseas deals, Phoenix did their best work early on in the weekend contest and scored both goals in first-half action. Phoenix's first goal came in the ninth minute when former Soca Warriors winger Trevin Caesar headed home from close range following a surging run through midfield by Adriel George.

Phoenix's second goal was a thing of beauty from Jariel Arthur, who lobbed custodian Christopher Biggette from well outside the area following a loose pass in the Army half by Kevon Goddard.

"We made some tactical adjustments from the first game (against Defence Force) and throughout the season we have made adjustments," De Souza told Newsday. "Going into (Sunday's) game, we understood how Defence Force like to play. We understand what they like to do tactically."

Having played against Defence Force, AC PoS, Police FC and Rangers in their first four tier one games, De Souza said his team has finally adjusted to the rigours of the league after a difficult start.

"I think the players are in a much better space tactically, mentally and physically now, compared to when we just started competing at this level," De Souza said. "Now, we are seeing the level we are at and we believe we could compete with everybody, despite teams having bigger names and a little more experience."

Before the 2023/24 season began, De Souza insisted Phoenix were not entering the league to be "whipping boys," and now he wants his players to show the best of what Tobago has to offer.

"What we aim to do is continue to improve and show we can compete at this level, and show a team from Tobago can compete at this level – and with a full Tobago team," he said.

"We want to give the guys a chance to showcase themselves on the national level and we are doing that."

With nine games left in the season, De Souza does not want to make any "proclamation on where (Phoenix) could finish" the campaign. He said landing the Army scalp on home turf gives the team more confidence, but they will not rest on their laurels.

"We have quality. We may not have any big names, but we do have quality," De Souza said.

"We want to continue to improve and get results against everybody. That was a good start for us (Sunday), but we go again on Friday. Sometimes the home comfort works, but we also understand we need to pick up points on the road if we want to be competitive throughout the league."

Having exacted revenge on the fourth-placed defending champions, Phoenix will try to follow suit against league leaders AC PoS (26 points) when they journey to Trinidad for their next clash later this week.

"(AC PoS) are on top of the table and they have been the most consistent team throughout the league so far," he said. "We have a big job to go and try to upset the apple carts. If we can, we will. That is our next challenge."

[Tallman]

Army look to apprehend Police in TTPFL, vow to shake off Phoenix loss
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)

After falling to their second loss of the 2023/24 Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) on Sunday, reigning TTPFL champions Defence Force will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways when they face the second-placed Police FC (24 points) from 4 pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar on Saturday.

The Army are currently fourth on the 11-team table with 20 points from ten matches – six points behind table-toppers AC PoS who entertain Tobago’s 1976 FC Phoenix at the Arima Velodrome on Friday.

Phoenix stunned Defence Force on the weekend when they got a 2-0 win at Bacolet Stadium in Tobago, and the Tobago club will aim to keep soaring high when they meet the TTPFL’s top team. Defence Force coach Lloyd Andrews wants his troops to put the Tobago experience behind them quickly.

“We have to shake off the disappointment of not coming away victorious in Tobago,” Andrews told Newsday. “The job at hand is to get three points against Police FC come Saturday evening.”

He said it was important for the defending champions to keep the TTPFL leaders within striking distance.

“We also have a game in hand over Police, but we don’t want to count on that. We want to get three points against Police and enhance our position even better in the top-runners in the league,” Andrews said.

“Once we work the ball around as quickly as possible, we will be good. Police have some ex-national players, but if we maintain intensity, we will be able to do the best we can.” Fresh from their league and knockout triumphs in the inaugural TTPFL season, Andrews said his team is in the middle of a rebuild after losing a few key members of their squad.

Versatile former national under-20 midfielder Kaihim Thomas went overseas for trials, while the dangerous attacking pair of Reon Moore and Brent Sam have both left the Defence Force team to take up contract opportunities abroad.

Moore has been an integral member of coach Angus Eve’s Soca Warriors squad in their 2023/24 Concacaf Nations League campaign, with the towering Sam being a constant source of goals for Defence Force in local football’s top flight.

Sam, the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) MVP in 2015, scored 20 goals across the league and knockout competitions last season, and his tally of seven goals in the ongoing TTPFL season is second only to Caledonia FC’s veteran striker Kevon Woodley (eight goals).

With injured defender Justin “Shiggy” Garcia being Defence Force’s next-best scorer this season with three goals, Andrews said his team will need a collective effort to find the net with regularity.

“We have to look all over (for goals). We have no specific person who we could pinpoint and say this is where the goals are going to come from, but we are hoping to acquire Isaiah Leacock from AC PoS to assist us in that area.”

Like Sam, Leacock has netted seven times so far this season, and would be a welcome addition to the Army attacking line if he is indeed signed.

“We have to be conscious that we have lost some players and we have to replace them,” Andrews said. “The journey starts all over again. When you now join, you have to get the coach’s ideas and philosophy and from there we move forward.” Midway through their title defence, Andrews said the Army are far from throwing in the towel. “Yes, we are still confident of retaining the league title. We cannot give up that hope.”

In the previous meeting between the two teams in December, Police got a late goal to salvage a 2-2 draw at the St James Barracks. In this weekend’s clash of the servicemen, Andrews’ charges will try to commence their “rebuilding process” against a Police FC team which boasts a wealth of experience with players such as Alvin Jones, Joevin Jones and skipper Adrian Foncette within their ranks.

Army’s potential new recruits may have to hit the ground running if they are to hand Police a second loss in the ongoing season.

[Tallman]

Wins for Club Sando, Eagles
T&T Express

SHACKIEL Henry’s brace solidified Club Sando’s fifth-place position after they defeated the cellar-placed Central FC 3-1 as match day 13 of the TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) Tier 1 concluded over the weekend.

Central FC struck first through a Jadel Carter penalty strike. Henry responded with his first goal in the 23rd minute and netted the game’s final item in the 58th minute. Meanwhile, Shervohnez Hamilton had helped Club Sando edge ahead 2-1 in the 26th minute.

Club Sando are currently five points ahead of the sixth-placed Prison Service, who was shut out 3-0 by Eagles FC on Saturday. Eagles’ prolific goalscorer, Haitian Angelo Exilus was on target again, opening the scoring in the game as early as the fourth minute.

Exilus’ national teammate Michel Huguens scored Eagles’ second in the 70th before Keron Cornwall sealed the deal with an insurance item in the 77th minute. The win sent Eagles over Caledonia FC in tenth spot, after the latter drew their fourth consecutive match.

Army put Police under ‘close arrest’

Miscellaneous Police failed to grasp the opportunity to go to the top of the standings when they lost 2-1 to the Defence Force.

National team fullback Alvin Jones scored for the lawmen, in between strikes from Isaiah Leacock and Dylon King, who netted the match winner.

The victory saw the Army/Coast Guard unit move into third, one point adrift of Police and three shy of league leaders AC Port of Spain, whose fixture against 1976 FC Phoenix last Friday was postponed. Despite taking the lead twice, Caledonia were held 2-2 by Terminix La Horquetta Rangers in the second match of Saturday’s double-header at the Arima Velodrome.

Gabriel Nanton picked up his first two goals for Caledonia, scoring in the seventh minute and first-half stoppage time.

Rangers got their first equalising goal when Caledonia veteran Carlyle Mitchell put the ball in his own net in the 15th minute, while their second came courtesy Tyrone Charles in the 68th minute.

[Tallman]

Leaders AC PoS stop Rangers
T&T Express

Athletic Club of Port of Spain gave themselves some breathing room at the top of the Trinidad and Tobago Professional Football League Tier 1 standings following a 3-1 victory over Terminix La Horquetta Rangers at the La Horquetta Recreation Ground on Wednesday night.

AC PoS custodian Marvin Phillip made the difference in the end, making 11 saves to earn the Player of the Match award.

Rangers coach Dave Quamina said his players did their best but Phillip “was in the mood”.

“You saw the guys tried their best but the goalkeeper was excellent tonight and deserved that man of the match award. Our defence let us down tonight. On the other end Marvin had an excellent game,” Quamina said.

Meanwhile, AC PoS coach Walt Noriega said he was happy for the win and the lead at the top of the table.

“Definitely glad for the win because we know it is normally a struggle at this venue.

He (Philip) showed his brilliance and we are glad for his experience in the back and for guiding the defensive shape of the team,” Noriega added.

AC PoS opened the scoring with Sedale McClean holding off a defender at the top of the box before unleashing a right-footed shot past Rangers custodian Jabari Bryce in the 14th minute.

At the other end, Phillip made some crucial saves to preserve AC’s lead, denying a close-range effort from Isaiah Lee

He also kept out a long-range effort from Kadeem Corbin as the score stayed 1-0 at the end of the first half. In the second half, McClean pounced on an error at the back by Jesus Pires before squeezing the ball between Bryce and the near post from the narrowest of angles as AC Port of Spain doubled their advantage in the 50th minute.

Tyrone Charles gave Rangers a life-line eight minutes later, collecting a pass on his chest before smashing the ball into the top right corner beyond the reach of Phillip.

Substitute Jamal Charles was then brought down by Bryce resulting in a penalty kick which was expertly converted by Che Benny in the 74th minute to make it 3-1.

Phillip made a few more saves towards the end to make sure his team came out with full points. AC PoS move on to 29 points, five clear of second-placed Miscellaneous Police FC (24 points).

In another key game on Wednesday, defending champions Defence Force fell further behind in the title race after losing 1-0 against Prison Service FC.

TTPFL Tier 1 Results

Terminix La Horquetta Rangers 1 (Tyrone Charles 58th) vs Athletic Club Port of Spain 3 (Sedale McLean 14th, 50th, Che Benny (pen) 74th)

Eagles FC 1 (Michel Huguens 56th) vs Club San Do 1 (Shackiel Henry 9th)

Defence Force 0 vs Prison Service FC 1 (Ricardo Alleyne 4th)

Central FC 0 vs Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic 6 (Ezekiel Kesar 6th, 27th, (pen) 76th, 80th, Mark Ramdeen 8th, Adica Ash 14th)

[Tallman]

Three Vital Points: TTPFL champs Defence Force secure 1-0 win over Club Sando
By Ian Prescott (T&T Express)

There are very few times when Defence Force look like a team barely hanging on.

But so it turned out yesterday for the defending Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) Tier One champions. Scoring first, Defence Force defended Rivaldo Coryat’s first half item for a 1-0 win over Tiger Tanks Club Sando at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.

Victory saw the Army/Coast Guard unit move onto 26 points, up a spot to second, behind leaders AC Port of Spain (29 pts) who are on a bye, while last season’s third-place finishers Club Sando stay fifth.

Having lost two of their last three matches, Defence Force assistant coach Hutson Charles was in no way coy about how much they needed to win yesterday to keep their title hopes alive. So, too, Abdullah Phillips, assistant coach at “Sando”.

And the importance of getting three points seemed to have an effect on the teams, both preferring frenzied football rather that building progressively. Club Sando were better for much of it, until Defence Force finally got going in the final quarter-hour.

“As you see, we were under a lot of pressure and we needed that three points today,” stated Man of the Match and goal-scorer Coryat.

There was an early chance for Club Sando when, in the third minute, Jevon Thomas hit a low shot across the face of goal, following Nathan Quashie’s pass, but turned the ball wide.

Home team “Sando” had territorial advantage on a scorching day. But it also took a great effort from national goalie Denzil Smith to keep Defence Force from getting the opening goal on the half-hour mark. With the Army breaking quickly in transition, it took a full dive and a vital finger-tip save to keep Shaquille Bertrand’s low shot out—the ball headed to the far corner until Smith deflected the shot around the far post.

Recently, Defence Force have been doing without the regular strike pair of Reon Moore and Brent Sam, both having moved overseas, while Club Sando were minus injured main striker Nicholas Dillon. As indicated by Charles, in the absence of the regular strike pair the Army has been struggling a bit, but he expects them to recover soon.

“Reon and Sam are two big players. We are trying,” noted Charles, adding, “We have the guys here that will carry us forward. (It’s) a work in progress.”

Dillon’s absence at Club Sando has left the burden of scoring to Shaquille Holder, who met Shivonez Hamilton’s pass at the far post, but hit the post under pressure from another national goalkeeper, Christopher Biggette, in the 39th minute.

Coryat was far more efficient just two minutes later, when handing the Defence Force the lead, by roofing the ball. An errant Rhondel Gibson pass allowed Bertrand free passage up the flank and his cross picked out Coryat, who netted at the back post in the 41st minute.

Having soaked up much Club Sando pressure and a couple of good chances for recent national team call-up Hamilton, Defence Force introduced veteran midfielder Hasim Arcia and Nathaniel Garcia, and turned the match around late on. Suddenly, the Army were knotting some passes together, and deep in the second half Smith, the current T&T national team number one custodian, was called upon three times to keep the South team in the match.

One of those looked sure to yield a second goal, in the 76th minute, when Arcia found himself wide and rocketed a shot past Smith, only for the ball to bounce off the upright. Justin Sadoo also came on and was onto Arcia’s through ball, but his low shot failed to get past Smith. Later, Smith also scooped away Holder’s close-up shot, despite almost falling away at the time.

Assistant coach Charles seemed more relieved than thrilled at the final whistle with full points confirmed for Defence Force. “We lost our last game and we say that if we have to stay with the top, we had to get three points today, and the guys came out and I think they did well,” said Charles.

And in the end. Club Sando were left to rue chances missed from a game they should have gotten something from.

“The chances that we created in the first half, we didn’t put them away,” assistant coach Phillips lamented. “When you play teams like Defence Force, and you keep them in the game, this is the kind of results you will get. This is a tough one.”

UPCOMING TTPFL TIER 1 MATCHES:

(Today)

4.30 p.m. Terminix LH Rangers vs FC Phoenix, LA Horquetta Rec Grd, Phase 2

5 p.m. Caledonia FC vs Central FC, TBA

6 p.m. Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic Eagles FC, Mahaica Sporting Complex

6 p.m. Prison Service FC vs Police FC, Arima Velodrome

[Flex]

1976 Phoenix dampen Rangers’ league title hopes.
By Andrew Gionnetti (T&T Newsday).

La Horquetta Rangers’ stumbled again in their quest for TT Premier Football League supremacy, in matchweek 15, on March 10, after they suffered a 2-1 home defeat to 1976 FC Phoenix, their second defeat to the same opponents this season.

Rangers were outwitted in the first half, as Phoenix came out with intent, scoring within ten minutes when their star forward Jariel Arthur connected with a superb header from a pin-point cross by Mickaeel “Jem” Gordon from the right flank. Arthur, scorer of Phoenix’s last goal in a 4-0 first-leg win over Rangers this season, and the winner against Defence Force last month, took his tally to four goals for the campaign.

Phoenix went on to control the balance of the first period, allowing Rangers a solitary shot off target.

The hosts, however, returned to the second half with aggression, immediately introducing attackers Kadeem Corbin and Tyrone Charles, the latter entering the pitch with four goals in his previous three outings.

Corbin scored two minutes after the restart, after which Rangers took control of the contest and were seemingly en route to complete the turn-around.

Phoenix, however, capitalised on a rare second-half attack and regained their lead against the run of play, with a half-hour to play.

Trevin Caesar collected a pass towards goal and with just goalkeeper Jabari Brice to beat, cleverly threaded the ball through his legs and into the goal.

Brice clattered Caesar in the process and received a yellow card for the infringement, while the goal stood.

Rangers continued to control the match and forced Phoenix’s shot-stopper Duvaughn Daniel to make several key saves.

In a later kick-off, Morvant Caledonia United held a 1-0 lead against rock-bottom Central FC at half-time. The match concluded after press time.

Two other matches were scheduled for Sunday, with Prison Service FC taking on Police, and Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic facing Eagles FC.

On Saturday, Defence Force responded to a series of poor performances to sneak a 1-0 win over Club Sando, with Rivaldo Coryat scoring in the 41st minute.

[Flex]

Police edge Prisons 1-0, move within two points of TTPFL leaders AC PoS.
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday).

THE title race in the 2023/24 Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) season continues to heat up, and Miscellaneous Police FC (27 points) regained second spot in the standings on Sunday when they got a slender 1-0 win against Prisons FC at the Arima Velodrome.

With the win, the lawmen moved ahead of the third-placed Defence Force (26 points) on the table and moved to within two points of leaders AC PoS (29 points) who were inactive on the weekend.

Though they created clear-cut chances in the second half and tested Prisons goalkeeper Aaron Enill and his backline, Police’s goal came via an own goal by defender Seon Thomas in the 61st minute. Police playmaker Joevin Jones found space on the right side and delivered a peach of a cross into the area as he searched for striker Anthony Wolfe, but it was Thomas’ inadvertent touch that took the ball past Enill and into the back of the net to give Police the advantage.

Just before Police’s game-clinching goal, Enill was called into action in the 56th minute when he made a pair of point-blank saves to deny winger Kwesi Allen at the back post after the Prisons defenders failed to deal with a backward header by left back Kemuel Rivers. Police only held a one-goal lead in the game, but they assumed a firm grip of the contest with superior possession and rarely looked troubled by the Prisons outfit at the other end. Prisons struggled for fluidity on the hard, dry surface and relied mainly on set pieces to try and break Police down.

In the 74th minute, Police nearly doubled their lead after Enill rushed off his line to thwart a right-side attack. With Enill absent from the goal frame, a Prisons defender made a brilliant block on the goal-line to deny a fierce drive from outside the 18-yard box by Police playmaker Jabari Mitchell. In stoppage time, Police custodian Adrian Foncette ensured all three points were locked up when he made an acrobatic fingertip save to keep out a long-range effort by substitute Sean Bonval which seemed destined for the top corner.

In Sunday’s other late TTPFL match, Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic and Eagles FC (formerly Cunupia FC) played to a goalless draw at Mahaica Sporting Complex, Point Fortin.

Despite the defeat to Police, Prisons (18 points) stayed in sixth spot on the 11-team table. Point Fortin (17 points) and Eagles (13 points) are seventh and tenth respectively.

TTFPL tier one standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts
1.AC PoS*12*9*2*1*34*12*22*29
2.Police FC*13*8*3*2*28*11*17*27
3.Defence Force FC*13*8*2*3*24*12*12*26
4.La Horquetta Rangers*14*7*2*5*27*20*7*23
5 Club Sando*13*6*3*4*19*15*4*21
6.Prisons FC*14*6*0*8*20*30*-10*18
7.Point Fortin Civic*13*4*5*4*18*12*6*17
8.1976 FC Phoenix*12*5*1*6*18*22*-4*16
9.Caledonia*13*3*4*6*18*20*-2*13
10.Eagles FC*13*3*4*6*15*18*-3*13
11.Central FC*14*0*0*14*6*55*-49*0.

[Flex]

Harlem, QPCC move up.
T&T Express Reports.

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Petit Valley Diego Martin United (PVDM) were held to a goalless draw by Defence Force but continue to lead Tier 2 of the Trinidad & Tobago Premier Football League (PFL), while Harlem Strikers and Queen’s Park picked up victories on the weekend and moved into second and third, respectively

Harlem Strikers scored half-a-dozen goals, including a second half double from Kareem Baptiste, on the way to a comprehensive 6-1 win over RSSR FC.

Having picked up a sixth win of the season, Harlem Strikers are now just a point adrift of leaders PVDM (30 points), with Queen’s Park third and two points behind the leaders.

Fatima College schoolboys Aidan De Gannes and Michael Chaves scored as QPCC built a two-goal advantage before holding off San Fernando Giants by a 2-1 margin.

Arkido Joseph converted a late penalty for seventh-placed Giants.

TIER 2 RESULTS

PVDM Utd 0 vs Defence Force FC 0

Harlem Strikers 6 (Ishmael Sawyer 36’, Jiron Francis 45+2, Kareem Baptiste 49’ &51’, Jaheim Ashby 79’, Elijah Seechan 78’) RSSR FC 1 (Mamade Guerra 16’)

[Tallman]

Leaders AC PoS, Police held to draws
By Ian Prescott (T&T Express)

Miscellaneous Police FC lost a vital opportunity to go top of the table in the Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) as the top two teams in the league were both held to draws, in a double-header at the La Horquetta Recreation ground on Friday night.

Having lost all 14 previous matches, cellar-placed Central FC picked up their first points of the 2023-24 season, stunning league leaders AC Port Of Spain in a 2-2 draw.

Later, in the second match of the double-header, second positioned Police FC also dropped points as a win would have seen them go top of the standings.

Trailing the Capital Boyz (AC PoS) by two points while also having played a match more going into Friday night’s match, the lawmen were held 1-1 by a tough Tiger Tanks Club Sando.

Jamal Jack, who was a recent call-up to the senior national team, scored at both ends.

The Tobagonian had previously won two CFU Club Championships and three T&T Pro League titles with Central FC, while also having plied his trade overseas for seven years.

The 36-year-old veteran returned to local professional football this season and recently earned a national recall, playing in two friendly internationals against Jamaica with a locally-based T&T team.

Jack was unfortunate when getting a left leg onto Kadeem Hutchinson’s low cross towards the near post. With goalkeeper Teshorne Ragoo seemingly having it covered, Jack instead diverted the ball inside the near post for an own goal in the 61st minute.

To his credit, Jack pushed forward and scored the equaliser in the 79th minute. Collecting a pass from Nathan Quashi —the former QRC and San Juan North schoolboy player— Jack curled a low shot around both his marker and national goalkeeper Adrian Foncette to restore parity for his team.

Earlier, league leaders AC Port of Spain had to fight back to rescue a share of the points against the bottom team Central FC.

Having conceded over 50 goals already this campaign, Central FC, to many’s surprise, were resilient defensively and were awarded a penalty for Brandon Semper’s back-post foul, following a looping corner-kick.

Former national goalkeeper Marvin Phillip appeared to get a touch to Saleem Henry’s spot–kick, but the power was too much to keep it out as Central FC took the lead in the 38th minute.

More surprise was in store for the fans when, in the 56th minute, Dominic Douglas doubled their advantage for a 2-0 scoreline, his first-time volley sending a looping cross into the far corner —a superb finish by the attacker.

AC Port of Spain were given a lifeline when an outstretched hand blocked Che Benny’s shot at goal, earning the Capital Boyz a penalty, which Benny himself converted in the 79th minute.

But as with vulnerable teams, once things aren’t not going well, Central FC began defending deeper, allowing AC Port of Spain to pull level just two minutes later.

Given space, midfielder Michel Poon Angeron shot from long range, striking the woodwork, and first to the ball was Grenadian Saydrel Lewis, who turned in the rebound from close-up in the 81st minute for 2-2.

Both teams had further chances to win the match. Central had two successive, quick chances to reclaim the lead.

A goal-line clearance saving AC Port of Spain, before the ball was put agonisingly wide following the resulting corner-kick.

And the Capital Boyz came even closer when Lewis’ cross found his Grenada national teammate Jamal Charles, who headed onto the crossbar in the dying stages.

TTPFL RESULTS:

(Friday)

Central FC 2 (Saleem Henry 38’ (Penalty), Dominic Douglas 56’) vs AC PoS 2 (Che Benny 79’, Saydrel Lewis 81’) Miscellaneous Police FC 1 (Jamal Jack 61’Og) vs Tiger Tanks Club Sando 1 (Jamal Jack 79’)

Today’s TTPFL fixtures:

TIER ONE:

6p.m. FC Phoenix vs Prison Service FC, Dwight Yorke Stadium

TIER TWO:

4p.m. PVDM UTD vs San Fernando Giants FC, Training field, Hasely Crawford Stadium

6.30p.m. QPCC FC vs Matura Reunited, Training field, Hasely Crawford Stadium

5pm UTT vs Guaya United, UTT Grounds, O’Meara Road, Arima

7p.m. Defence Force FC vs Harlem Strikers FC, UTT Grounds, O’Meara Road, Arima

[Tallman]

AC PoS strike late in 2-2 draw vs Central FC
By Roneil Walcott and Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday)

TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) table-toppers AC Port of Spain staged a valiant comeback in the second half as they salvaged a 2-2 draw against the cellar-placed Central FC in their matchup at the Phase 2 La Horquetta Recreation Grounds on Friday. Trailing the “Couva Sharks” by a 2-0 margin after a precise 56th-minute volley by Dominic Douglas, AC PoS staged a late fightback and scored twice within a three-minute span to come away with a point. For Central FC, it was their first point of the ongoing season after losing 14 consecutive games. On the 15th attempt, the Sharks looked destined for that elusive TTPFL win, but the title challengers AC PoS dug deep to get a share of the spoils instead.

After the trio of Anthony Charles, Jamal Charles, and playmaker Che Benny all squandered presentable opportunities for AC PoS in the first half, Man-of-the-Match Saleem Henry gave Central the lead against the run of play when he beat Marvin Phillip with a 36th-minute penalty. Referee Kwinsi Williams blew for an infringement after a light touch by Brandon Semper on Kyle Bartholomew in the area, and Henry made no mistake with his right-footed spot kick.

In the 56th minute, Central doubled their lead when Douglas sweetly sent a volley past Phillip from close range following a left-side cross from Miquel Williams. AC PoS did have forays into the Central area, but those were few and far between as the “Capital Boys” struggled for their usual rhythm in their passing game without the influence of the injured Duane Muckette. A string of substitutions injected life into the AC PoS attack, though, with Nathan Lewis and Grenadian attacker Saydrel Lewis both coming off the bench to leave their mark on the game. Just past the hour mark, AC PoS created a couple of chances in quick succession which were repelled by the Sharks. Defender Rahim Jarvis saw a goalward effort blocked by a defender, while Nathan was denied from close range by Central keeper Kitwana Manning.

In the 79th minute, AC PoS got a much-needed lifeline, though, as Benny converted a penalty after his long-range effort from open play was handled by a Central player. Just two minutes after Benny’s goal, Saydrel was jolly on the spot to score from close range after another substitute, Michel Poon-Angeron, rattled Manning’s post with a fierce left-footed hit. In the latter stages of the game, both teams had great chances to grab all three points. AC PoS arguably had the best chance of the lot, though, and Charles was unlucky to see his header crash off the bar in the 83rd minute after Saydrel crossed from the left flank.

At the blow of referee Kwinsi Williams’s final whistle, both teams settled for a draw, but there could have been so much more for either unit. AC PoS moved to 30 points, two more than second-placed Miscellaneous Police FC (28 points). With their first point of the season, Central still find themselves 12 points adrift of the tenth-placed Eagles FC (13 points).

In the second match of the double-header in La Horquetta on Friday, Club Sando’s Jamal Jack turned from villain to hero. Jack scored an own goal in the 61st minute as Miscellaneous Police FC took a 1-0 lead. Jack redeemed himself less than 20 minutes later as he scored in the 79th minute to equalize for Club Sando as the match ended 1-1. Police could have gone level with AC Port of Spain on top of the standings with a win.

Yesterday, a double-header was played at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo. In the first match at 6 pm, Eagles FC faced Caledonia, and in the second contest at 8.10 pm, Defence Force played Pt Fortin Civic. In the only match today, 1976 FC Phoenix will battle Prisons FC at Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet at 4 pm.