Trinidad and Tobago Pro League rookies, Ma Pau FC, took another established scalp yesterday evening as they edged St Ann's Rangers 2-1 in league action at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.
And at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, Trent Noel netted twice as leaders CLICO San Juan Jabloteh bounced back from a mid-week defeat to see off United Petrotrin by a 4-0 margin.
Jabloteh, who held a four-point lead over W Connection before yesterday's round of matches, got a 12th minute lead when Marvin Oliver scored via the penalty spot.
Noel, a former T&T midfielder, doubled the tally in the 49th minute and got his second in the 90th. Between his goals, Jason Marcano scored in the 66th.
At Malabar, Rangers were in fourth spot at kick off but they gave little evidence of their superiority yesterday. They might have lost by a wider margin too but for tame Ma Pau finishing in the second half and a few questionable offside calls by assistant referee Linda Bramble.
Ma Pau, as usual, did things the hard way as they contrived to go a goal down despite their early domination as Rangers striker Abiola Clarence tucked away an opportunistic finish in the ninth minute.
Nothing if not adventurous, Ma Pau drew level in the 21st minute as Brazilian Leandro Dos Santos knocked a brilliant Sayid Freitas cross over the opposing goal line before Tyrone Charles grabbed the winner with a cheeky chip, seconds before the half-time break.
Rangers introduced three attacking players over the course of the second half but only looked like going further behind. Skillful attacking midfielder Sherron Joseph and strikers Iomar Da Silva and Freitas all failed to convert, despite being clear of the opposing defence, while Bramble seemed overly lenient to Rangers on at least two offside calls.
It was enough to ensure that the Pro League's most animated coach, Ma Pau boss Ron La Forest, was hopping around and slapping his thighs for the duration of the match. Another three-point haul and a nine-point gap from table-proppers, Tobago United, should have calmed him down by the final whistle. At the Larry Gomes Stadium W Connection got the better of Defence Force 4-1.
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