T&TEC FC maintained pole position of the Digicel Pro League Championship on Friday night following a 2-0 win over St. Ann’s Rangers in the second clash of a Round Three Match Day Four double header at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.
Wingers Bevon Bass (36th minute) and Sylvester Teesdale (46th minute) both found the back of the net to push the Dexter Cyrus coached outfit to 32 points, two points ahead of W Connection—1-0 winners over Adam’s Construction San Juan Jabloteh in the second clash of a Hasely Crawford Stadium double header.
It was an infrequent item by striker Matthew Bartholomew in the 18th minute that separated Connection from its bitter rivals Jabloteh.
Goalkeeper Cleon John had earlier made a save against Bartholomew in the 11th minute, but seven minutes later the Jabloteh goalie was rounded by the Connection striker who slipped a low shot into the net after making a brilliant run inside the area meeting Kemuel Rivers' pass for a 1-0 Connection advantage.
Bartholomew’s celebration included dusting his chest, legs and boots and a team dance, clearly shaking off a lengthy spell of not finding the back of the net with the first team.
Former Jabloteh winger Johan Peltier was introduced as a late Connection substitute and created problems for his former coach, Earl Carter, even forcing a good save out of John in the 79th minute.
And in the 82nd minute on the other end, goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams produced a superb push over to deny Christon Thomas and preserve his side’s slim advantage.
In the earlier clash at the Port of Spain venue Defence Force defeated DIRECTV North East Stars 2-1 with Brazilian striker Jeronimo Wendes De Sousa netting his third item in as many matches but in a losing contest. And at the Marabella venue, Police FC stormed back to defeat Caledonia AIA 3-2 following a 0-2 first half deficit.
Teams
San Juan Jabloteh—Cleon John (capt.), Karlon Murray, Jamal Jack, Reshad Wint, Keon Trim (Akil James 46th), Christon Thomas, Devon Jamerson, Jason Marcano, Marvin Oliver, Elton John, Andrew Smith (Willis Plaza 25th) (Dillon Kirton 86th).
Coach—Earl Carter.
W Connection—Jan Michael Williams (capt.), Elijah Joseph, Kemuel Rivers, Clyde Leon, Matthew Bartholomew (Johan Peltier 55th), Gerrard Williams, Kern Cupid, Hashim Arcia (Rennie Britto 70th), Andre Quashie, Jelani Grosvenor, Jerrel Britto (Keon Quow 90th).
Coach—Stuart Charles Fevrier.
Digicel Pro League Championship
Round Three Match Day Four results
North East Stars 1-2 Defence Force
Jeronimo Wendes De Sousa 52' ; Josimar Belgrave 6', Charles Pollard (own goal)84'
Police FC 3—2 Caledonia AIA
Ataullah Guerra 12', Stephan David 38' ; Weslie John 58', Errol McFarlane 81', Noel Williams 89'
San Juan Jabloteh 0—1 W Connection
Matthew Bartholomew 18'
St. Ann's Rangers 0—2 T&TEC FC
Bevon Bass 36', Sylvester Teesdale 46'