Slim victories were recorded by Defence Force and Police FC on Friday night overcoming contests against DIRECTV North East Stars and Caledonia AIA respectively at separate venues in Round Three Match Day Four of the Digicel Pro League Championship.
Defence Force, positioned fifth on the standings, were 2-1 winners over seventh positioned Stars in the first match of a double header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium courtesy an 84th minute own goal by defender Charles Pollard after a ricochet off teammate Seon Power.
And in the first match of a Mannie Ramjohn Stadium double header bottom of the table Police FC surprised then second positioned Caledonia to a 3-2 comeback victory.
Second half goals by Weslie John (58th minute), Errol McFarlane (81st minute) and Noel Williams (90th minute) diminished first half strikes by Caledonia’s Ataullah Guerra (13th minute) and Stephan David (38th minute), as the Morvant/Laventille club slipped a spot into third on the ladder with 29 points, one less than second positioned W Connection and three behind leaders T&TEC FC.
Connection defeated rivals Adam’s Construction San Juan Jabloteh 1-0 in the second clash at the Port of Spain venue and T&TEC were 2-0 winners against St. Ann’s Rangers at the Marabella venue.
Defence Force’s Josimar Belgrave scored the earliest item on Friday beating Stars’ goalie Andrew Durant at the near post in the 6th minute for a 1-0 advantage.
It was from a clearance at the back by Christon Baptiste that Richard Roy collected and played Belgrave, who made a couple twist and turns before hooking a low shot just inside the upright.
North East Stars were awarded a penalty in the 34th minute by referee Rodphin Harris after a handball by Keston Williams, however goalkeeper Kevin Graham pulled off a fine save to deny Anthony Wolfe.
The Sangre Grande club later leveled the scores 1-1 in the 52nd minute when a freekick whipped in by Kayode McKinnon from the right was last touched by Brazilian striker Jeronimo Wendes De Sousa to celebrate his third goal in as many matches.
Defence Force continued to create chances in front of goal forcing a few saves out of Durant, just as the first half, before the late forced own goal handed coach Ross Russell victory.
Teams
North East Stars—Andrew Durrant, Charles Pollard (capt.), Kendall Velox (Neil Mitchell 58th), Glenton Wolfe (Seon Power 46th), Jeronimo Wendes De Sousa (Yellow Card), Keion Goodridge, Marc Leslie, Anthony Wolfe, Gary Glasgow, Kayode McKinnon, Ryan Stewart.
Coach—Emerson Alcantara.
Defence Force—Kevin Graham, Corey Rivers (capt.), Sean Narcis (Kelvin Modeste 56th), Jahvon Neptune (Yellow Card) (Ross Russell Jr. 65th), Rodell Elcock (Yellow Card), Richard Roy (Balondemu Julius 87th), Keston Williams, Christon Baptiste, Dave Long, Josimar Belgrave, Kevon Carter.
Coach—Ross Russell.