Police FC pulled off a fine 1-1 result against Caledonia AIA on Tuesday night thanks to an excellent equalizing item by early substitute Noel Williams, at the half, in a rescheduled Round One Match Day Three fixture of the Digicel Pro League Championship at the Larry Gomes Stadium.
Despite gaining just one point, Caledonia earned themselves a taste at the top of the standings with 19 points from 12 games, one point ahead of T&TEC FC (9 games), San Juan Jabloteh (11 games) and W Connection (11 games).
Meantime Police remains at the bottom of the ladder with 6 points from seven games.
It was the second meeting of the two clubs this season, with Caledonia registering a 3-1 victory in Round Two thanks to a pair of goals by Jamal Gay and one by strike teammate Devorn Jorsling.
On Tuesday Devorn Jorsling was on the end of a quick buildup in the 17th minute when he unleashed a left footed shot in which goalkeeper Adisa Alleyne pulled off a save.
And three minutes later Jorsling had a freekick attempt which deflected off the wall and high overbar after midfielder Guerra was fouled by Anton Hutchinson well outside the area.
Caledonia pressed on for the opening item in the 29th minute however defender Collin Nelson’s header on goal off a cross from the right only whooshed past the upright.
Police FC’s Vernell Ramirez had the clearest of opening opportunities on the half hour mark when midfielder Todd Ryan through-ball unleashed the winger one on one with goalkeeper Kevin Graham, however directed his effort at the Caledonia custodian who made a comfortable stop.
And in the 34th minute Guerra fired Caledonia ahead after picking up an errant back pass by Police, fed the ball wide to Abdallah Phillips who raced towards the six yard area before squaring return pass to the skill midfielder who fired in to beat Alleyne on the left for the 1-0 advantage.
Police then introduced Williams in the 42nd minute replacing Akiba Peters, and the former San Juan Jabloteh player made a sudden impact in the 45th minute latching onto a long pass forward from midfield beating the Caledonia backline before slotting past Graham to level the scores 1-1.
Caledonia dominated the chances, and prior to Williams’ equalizing item had three efforts wide from Phillips, Trayon Bobb and Jorsling.
The second half didn’t showcase quite the number of openings as the first half, with Caledonia—minus five first team players Aquil Selby, Nuru Abdullah Muhammad, Trevin Caesar, Jamal Gay and goalkeeper Zane Coker currently in Tobago with the T&T National U-23s—and Police FC playing very compact from midfield and defender Errol Charles showcasing a sterling performance in central defense for the ‘lawmen’.
Teams
Caledonia AIA—Kevin Graham, Stephan David (capt.), Colin Nelson, Abdallah Phillips (Makesi Lewis 43rd), Kareem Joseph, Trayon Bobb (Keyon Edwards 69th), Walter Moore, Kedar Roderick (Conrad Smith 59th), Kemron Purcell, Ataullah Guerra, Devorn Jorsling.
Coach—Jamaal Shabazz.
Police FC—Adisa Alleyene, Jason Boodram (capt.) (Kurdell Braithwaite 90th), Errol Charles, Kheon Archie, Trent Noel, Akiba Peters (Noel Williams 42nd), Kareem Young, Todd Ryan, Randy Harris, Anton Hutchinson, Vernell Ramirez (Kelon Williams 69th).
Coach—Kelvin Jones.