DIRECTV North East Stars December/January transfer window acquisition Jean Luc Rochford scored twice in the second period against to pull his side level against Police FC before teammate Ryan Stewart wrapped up a 3-2 victory six minutes from time.
The visiting North East Stars at the Ato Boldon Stadium were without three key players Charles Pollard, Anthony Wolfe and Kendall Velox for the Digicel Pro League Round Two Match Day Six fixture, conceded from two set piece plays in the first half against Police.
Trent Noel first curled a freekick past goalkeeper Andre Marchan for a 1-0 advantage in the 26th minute after Kelon Williams was fouled by Glenton Wolfe some 23 yards out.
And in the 36th minute from another set piece, Police centre back Anton Joseph stabbed in from close up for a 2-0 cushion after the Stars defense and goalie failed to clear another Noel free kick.
Stewart had an on target effort in the 45th minute, but lacked power as it sailed into the gloves of Adisa Alleyene.
And three minutes inside the second period he found the side netting as his effort only lacked direction as it was full of pace.
Police did well to limit the Sangre Grande club even applying further pressure from yet another free kick in the 62nd minute which midfielder Todd Ryan blasted on goal from around 37 metres out which Marchan spilled.
But lapses by the ‘lawmen’ saw Stars’ Jean Luc Rochford score a double in the space of three minutes, first guiding a powerful short cross by Akeil Guevara past goalkeeper Alleyne in the 69th minute and then rifled a left footed blast beating the Police goalie again in the 72nd minute to level the scores 2-2.
Stewart then fired North East Stars ahead in a marvellous comeback, blasting a low shot from the right beating Alleyne for a 3-2 victory.
However the Sangre Grande side still struggles on the standings in 6th spot with just 12 points from 11 games, while Police FC sits at the bottom with 6 points from 8 games.
Meantime W Connection jumped to the top of the standings with 21 points following Tuesday’s round of matches with a 1-0 win over T&TEC FC (19 points).
Caledonia AIA (19 points) coming off a 1-1 draw against San Juan Jabloteh sits in second, ahead of third positioned T&TEC by a better goals difference while Jabloteh (16 points) and Defence Force (12 points) take up positions fourth and fifth on the ladder respectively and Rangers coming off a 3-1 defeat against the soldiers remain seventh.
Teams
Police FC—Adisa Alleyene, Jason Boodram (capt.) (Vernell Ramirez 13th), Todd Ryan, Kheon Archie, Trent Noel, Akiba Peters, Noel Williams, Kelon Williams (Yellow Card) (Kareem Young 59th), Darryl James (Yellow Card), Dwight Elliot (Brendon Francis 75th), Anton Hutchinson.
Coach—Kelvin Jones.
North East Stars—Andre Marchan, Marc Leslie (capt.), Glenton Wolfe, Seon Power, Keryn Navarro (Kaydion Gabriel 42nd), Kayode McKinnon, Ryan Stewart, Jean Luc Rochford (Yellow Card), Darryl Trim (Yellow Card) (Jeromie Williams 90th+), Keion Goodridge, Akeil Guavara (Gary Glasgow 83rd).
Coach—Emerson Alcantara
Digicel Pro League Championship
Full Round Two Match Day Six results
Tuesday 31 January
St. Ann’s Rangers 1—3 Defence Force
Cameron Roget 18’ ; Richard Roy 25, 44’(pen) 73’(pen)
Police FC 2—2 North East Stars
Trent Noel 26’, Anton Hutchinson 36’ ; Jean Luc Rochford 69’, 72’, Ryan Stewart 84’
San Juan Jabloteh 1—1 Caledonia AIA
Keon Trim 28’ ; Jamal Gay 8’
W Connection 1—0 T&TEC FC
Joevin Jones 28’