DIRECTV W Connection maintained a perfect record against cross-town rivals Central FC on Wednesday night with a 1-0 win in a rescheduled Round One Match Day One fixture of the Digicel Pro League at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
Only last month, Connection defeated its neighbours 3-0 with a hat-trick by Shahdon Winchester in their Round Two meeting to welcome new Central coach, Englishman and bitter ‘Savonnetta Boys’ rival Terry Fenwick.
On Wednesday night Connection stood without the services of Winchester who joined Finland Premier League club FF Jaro last month on a one year loan deal.
But the Stuart Charles Fevrier coached-Connection got its winner in the 69th minute courtesy a left footed Joevin Jones crack from above the area which somehow got past the gloves of goalkeeper Marvin Phillip who looked to have it all covered.
Connection returned to third position on the standings with 22 points, dropping North East Stars (20 points) into fourth. However the defending champs are a long way from leaders Defence Force (32 points) while Caledonia AIA (26 points), 2-1 winners over St. Ann’s Rangers in an earlier rescheduled match at the Couva venue on Wednesday night, remains second.
Jones was the liveliest of the match and it was only a matter of time before he got on the score sheet.
Just 10 minutes inside, the utility player roaming the midfield area, had a crack at after picking up on an errant pass by Justin Fojo, but was denied by a solid Phillip shutout.
Jones had another look from distance in the 30th minute which flew overbar. And nine minutes later on a quick break he unleashed striker Stefano Rijssel, who later assisted in the winner, on the left and the Surinamese outpaced the backline before letting off a low strike which goalkeeper Phillip made an excellent diving save to guide it inches wide.
Following what turned out the match winner; Jones had another go at goal in the 73rd minute but was denied by the upright with a chip towards goal off another Rijssel pass on a quick break by Connection. Rijssel followed up on the rebound but struck his effort into the back of defender Keion Goodridge.
Goodridge later received his marching orders in the 78th minute from referee Rodphin Harris with a direct red card following a tackle on Rijssel well into the Connection half and near the touch-line reducing Central to 10-men.
However Connection weren’t able to capitalize on the extra player advantage with another item. Rijssel had a go at goal in the 83rd minute but was denied by Phillip who guided the effort overbar.
As for the ‘Sharks’, Antiguan striker Peter Byers was clearly insufficient. Central winger Johan Peltier was closest to finding the back of the net in the 26th minute following a couple twists and turns inside the left of the area to shake off his markers before unleashing a left footed strike towards the near post and was unfortunately inches wide.
And three minutes from time Central substitute Rundell Winchester missed a gift and the best chance of pulling his team level, when he headed a Hayden Tinto cross miserably wide with goalkeeper Alejandro Figueroa at his mercy.
Central remains fifth on the standings with a game in hand with just 15 points but a very long way from a top two finish this season.
Results
Central FC 0—1 W Connection
Joevin Jones 69’
Teams
Central FC—Marvin Phillip (capt.), Keion Goodridge (Red Card), Anthony Wolfe, Marvin Oliver, Peter Byers (Rundell Winchester 60th), Carey Harris, Jameel Neptune (Hayden Tinto 72nd), Justin Fojo, Omar Charles, Jason Marcano, Johan Peltier (Yellow Card) (Darrell Mitchell 64th).
Coach—Terry Fenwick.
W Connection—Alejandro Figueroa, Clyde Leon (capt.), Elijah Joseph, Akeem Benjamin, Daneil Cyrus (Yellow Card), Gerrard Williams, Hashim Arcia (Jomal Williams 66th), Andrei Pacheco, Stefano Rijssel (Neil Benjamin 86th), Kurt Frederick (Yellow Card) (Kemuel Rivers 77th), Joevin Jones.
Coach—Stuart Charles Fevrier.