Defence Force extended its superb top of the Digicel Pro League form on Friday night by defeating defending champions DIRECTV W Connection 2-1 in a hard-fought Round Two Match Day Six contest at the Marvin Lee Stadium.
Defence Force dominates the standings with 32 points from 13 games (10 wins; 2 draws; 1 defeat) while Caledonia AIA remains in steady contest but trail by 9 points in second with 23 points from 11 matches.
The Jerry Moe coached-Caledonia will take to the field on Saturday from 5pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium against tricky home club Central FC in hopes of closing the gap on runaway leaders Defence Force.
Stars grabbed a first half hat-trick from striker Cornell Glen and full points for Head Coach Angus Eve as the club moved up a spot into third with 20 points—swapping spots with Connection (19 points).
Connection could have grabbed the lead 20 minutes into the match against Defence Force when Joevin Jones found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Kevin Graham inside the area, but his audacious chip was easily gathered by the Army custodian.
Separated by an Andrei Pacheco freekick which flashed just outside Graham’s upright, Jones tested Graham again in the 21st minute with a left footed blast from distance which was measured brilliantly by a fully sprawled Graham to put it out for a corner.
And in the 40th minute Connection were in a goal down situation.
Speedy Defence Force winger, Carter, who hammered an effort high in the 26th minute, made no mistake from close up when he guided in Jerwyn Balthazar’s low cross past Connection’s Colombian goalie Alejandro Figueroa for a 1-0 advantage following a smooth sequence of passing by the Soldiers.
Figueroa was beaten in the 43rd minute when Jorsling, who was part of the buildup to Carter’s item, executed a well placed free-kick past the Connection goalie for a 2-0 cushion before the break.
It was from a foul by defender Daneil Cyrus that referee Neil Brizan awarded the freekick some 23 yards out.
Jones later pulled a goal back for Connection in the 64th minute for a 2-1 score-line when from a counterattack led by a burst on the left by Surinamese attacker Stefano Rijssell who whipped in a great cross that was acrobatically volleyed in goal by the supporting Jones.
Despite an improved Connection in the second period, the ‘Savonetta Boys’ had themselves to blame for not coming away with at least a point.
Striker Hashim Arcia broke into tears in the final and fourth minute of injury time after failing to capitalize on a chance of rescuing Connection to a draw. The lanky forward failed to direct a desperate cross from the right by Daneil Cyrus into the back of the net from inside the six yard area.
By the final whistle, Defence Force, who defeated Connection 5-1 in Round One, proudly marched off the pitch with full points.
Results
W Connection 1—2 Defence Force
Joevin Jones 64’ ; Kevon Carter 40’, Devorn Jorsling 43’
Teams
W Connection—Alejandro Figueroa, Elijah Joseph (capt.), Akeem Benjamin, Daneil Cyrus, Gerrard Williams, Hashim Arcia, Andrei Pacheco (Neil Benjamin 46th), Silvio Spann (Clyde Leon 46th), Stefano Rijssel (Aaquil Campbell 86th), Kurt Frederick, Joevin Jones.
Unused substitutes—Aquelius Sylvester, Kemeul Rivers, Leslie Joel Russell, Christian Viveros.
Coach—Stuart Charles Fevrier.
Defence Force—Kevin Graham, Corey Rivers (capt.) (Richard Roy 75th), Keston Williams, Devin Jordan (Yellow Card), Curtis Gonzales, Devorn Jorsling, Kevon Carter (Ross Russell Jr. 55th), Josimar Belgrave, Rodell Elcock, Jemel Sebro, Jerwyn Balthazar (Aklie Edwards 67th).
Unused substitutes—Sheldon Clarke, Glynn Franklyn, Sean Narcis, Jahvon Neptune.
Coach—Ross Russell.