Two assists and one goal, DIRECTV W Connection midfielder Joevin Jones was on top of his game on Friday night at the Marvin Lee Stadium in Round Three Match Day Three of the Digicel Pro League Championship, while former teammate and new St. Ann’s Rangers goalie Jan-Michael Williams sat on the wrong end of a 3-0 score.
And in the highly anticipated top of the table clash between leaders Defence Force and second positioned Caledonia in the second match of the Macoya double header, finished goalless.
Rangers, however, weren’t fortunate to keep a clean sheet despite having one of the league's top goalkeepers.
Although Connection produced a casual performance, the Stuart Charles Fevrier-coached outfit dominated the St. Ann's club with ease.
Only twenty minutes into the match, Williams, who joined Rangers from Connection in mid-week, was left beaten by a powerful glancing Clyde Leon header off a right side Jones corner for a 1-0 ‘Savonnetta Boys’ advantage.
Williams’ goal was threatened again with forward Stefano Rijssell flashed a left footed effort just over in the 21st minute, and four minutes later he had a glancing header wide off a left side Kemuel Rivers’ cross.
And three minutes from the half, Jones with a free-kick from outside the area and directed towards the right upper corner forced the 2006 TT Pro League Player of the Year into action; but the strike lacked suitable pace, making it a comfortable take for Williams.
But three minutes inside the second period, Williams was left to dry after his defense failed to clear against a Connection attack.
Jones, who was just wide of the upright early in the first period, picked up with a clinical left footed finish by curling his strike past Williams and inside the far upright for a 2-0 cushion.
And Jones, who has been in excellent form all season, wasn't done just yet.
A cross into the Rangers area in the 73rd minute by the Trinidad and Tobago international saw teammate Leslie Joel Russell's header crash onto the crossbar.
Two minutes later Connection stripped the Rangers defense with a sequence of passes between Leon, Christian Viveros and Jones who showed good composure and skill to dribble away from Williams inside the six yard area before finding Rijssel, for the Surinamese forward to slam in Connection's third on the night.
Meantime Rangers best look at goal, outside an early lobbed effort by Devon Modeste, came in the 84th minute with Modeste involved by slipping a pass to Jamal Jack who disappointingly smashed his effort over from inside the area with goalkeeper Figuaroa at his mercy.
Connection returned to third position on the standings with 29 points, 2 points ahead of now fourth positioned North East Stars (27 points) who tackles Police FC from 5pm on Saturday at the Marvin Lee Stadium, followed by Central FC against T&TEC FC from 7pm.
At the top of the table Defence Force (37 points) remained in pole positioned with four league match days remaining, and followed by Caledonia (33 points).
It was a disappointing week for Caledonia, coming off Wednesday's 3-1 defeat against Stars and only managing a point on Friday night for its title chase. Whereas back-to-back wins would have propelled the Morvant-Laventille club to the top of the standings.
Both Defense Force and Caledonia matched eachother for the entire match, hence the result. But there was one real opportunity falling to Defence Force substitute Richard Roy in added on time after Caledonia goalkeeper Shemel Louision palmed away a high cross by Corey Rivers.
Roy a fraction too late drove in a low strike only to see the effort cleared off the line by defender Kareem Joseph.
Results
St. Ann’s Rangers 0—3 W Connection
Clyde Leon 20’, Joevin Jones 48’, Stefano Rijssel 75’
Caledonia AIA 0—0 Defence Force
Teams
St. Ann’s Rangers—Jan-Michael Williams, Jamal Jack (capt.), Devon Modeste, Musa Nakhid, Marvin Lee (Jemel Berot 54th), Keifer Edwards, Cameron Roget, Kurdell Braithwaite, Muhammed Nakhid, Kadeem Drayton, Ryan O’Neil (Tevin Gilkes 60th).
Coach—Dean Pacheco.
W Connection—Alejandro Figueroa, Clyde Leon (capt.), Leslie Joel Russell, Daneil Cyrus, Kemuel Rivers, Christian Viveros, Joevin Jones (Aaquil Campbell 82nd), Andrei Pacheco (Jerrel Britto 67th), Hashim Arcia (Jomal Williams 71st), Stefano Rijssel, Gerrard Williams.
Coach—Stuart Charles Fevrier.
Teams
Caledonia AIA—Shemel Louision, Stephan David (capt), Aubrey David, Colin Nelson, Aquil Selby, Trevin Caesar (Odelle Armstrong 80th), Keyon Edwards, Kareem Joseph, Akim Armstrong (Yellow Card), Densill Theobald, Nathan Lewis (Sheldon Holder 70th).
Coach—Jerry Moe.
Defence Force—Kevin Graham, Corey Rivers (capt.), Glynn Franklyn, Keston Williams (Richard Roy 65th), Curtis Gonzales, Devorn Jorsling (Josimar Belgrave 82nd), Kevon Carter, Jerwyn Balthazar, Ross Russell Jr. (Jemel Sebro 74th), Rodell Elcock, Aklie Edwards.
Coach—Ross Russell.