W Connection returned to the top of the Digicel Pro League standings on Friday night courtesy a pair of goals by striker Jerrel Britto for a 2-1 win at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
The teenaged striker first opened the scoring in the 67th minute in a quick play beating Caledonia goalie Ronson Williams on the right and following Devorn Jorsling’s equalizing item in the 88th minute, Britto handed Connection full points by beating Williams again with a powerful shot in the 90th minute.
Connection(24 points) hurdled Caledonia(23 points) for the top spot, while Adam’s Construction San Juan Jabloteh slipped a spot into fourth after suffering a 2-0 defeat against DIRECTV North East Stars and T&TEC FC moved up into third by thumping Defence Force 3-0 in Friday’s Round Three Match Day One fixtures.
In another contest, St. Ann’s Rangers enjoyed a 5-2 win over bottom of the table Police FC at the Larry Gomes Stadium.
Hector Sam (3rd and 42nd minutes) and Devon Modeste (16th and 75th minutes) both netted twice and Keron Alexander (56th minute) had Rangers well in front, before Police got late goals by Errol Charles (78th minute) and Kareem Young (86th minute).
And in the second match at the Malabar venue, early goals by Gary Glasgow (16th minute) and Jean Luc Rochford (20th minute) earned Stars its 2-0 win against Jabloteh.
Connection meantime didn’t have such a bright start to its contest against Caledonia with Rennie Britto smashing an effort onto the angle of the post in the in just the 4th minute of play.
And five minutes from the break Connection was again denied by the bar, on a quick counter attack which ended with Hashim Arcia crashing a left footed effort onto the left upper corner.
There were long spells of very little goalmouth action with Caledonia’s Kareem Joseph forcing an easy save out of goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams midway through the first period.
Britto then notched his first of two goals in the 67th minute, and less than a minute after replacing Hashim Arcia in the 71st minute, substitute Andre Quashie was denied a goal by a superb Ronson Williams save.
Caledonia had a decent opportunity in the 82nd minute, however striker Jamal Gay volleyed overbar with the Connection goalie at his mercy after being provided with a well placed cross from the left by Walter Moore.
And following misses by Trevin Caesar and Jorsling, the later leveled the scores in the 88th minute slipping a low shot past Jan Michael Williams.
But as many settled for the 1-1 draw, Jerrel Britto gave Connection the advantage again in the 92nd minute with another brilliant finish against the Caledonia goalie.
W Connection 2—1 Caledonia AIA
Jerrel Britto 67’, 90’+ ; Devorn Jorsling 88’
W Connection—Jan Michael Williams (capt.), Gerard Williams, Clyde Leon (Jomal Williams 75th), Kern Cupid, Elijah Joseph, Leslie Joel Russell, Kemuel Rivers, Rennie Britto (Johan Peltier 57th), Joevin Jones, Hashim Arcia (Andre Quashie 71st), Jerrel Britto
Caledonia AIA—Ronson Williams, Stephan David (capt.) (Trevin Caesar 78th), Walter Moore (Yellow Card), Nuru Abdullah Muhammad, Colin Nelson (Trayon Bobb 65th), Aquil Selby, Micah Lewis, Keyon Edwards, Kareem Joseph, Jamal Gay, Kemron Percell
Digicel Pro League Championship
Full Round Three Match Day One results
St. Ann’s Rangers 5—2 Police FC
Hector Sam 3’, 42’, Devon Modeste 16, 75’, Keron Alexander 56’ ; Errol Charles 78’, Kareem Young 86’
San Juan Jabloteh 0—2 North East Stars
Gary Glasgow 18’, Jean-Luc Rochford 25’
T&TEC FC 3—0 Defence Force
Sylvester Teesdale 9’, Kerlon Ferguson 55’, Kevon Neaves 64’(pen)