“Army! Army! Army!” was the chant of jubilant soldiers after receiving the 2012-2013 Digicel Pro League trophy from TT Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene and Digicel T&T, sponsorship and promotions manager, Wendy Alleyne on Friday night at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya.
Defence Force, winner of the league title with 46 points, had just defeated bottom of the table T&TEC FC 4–0 in the second match of a Round Three Match Day Seven double-header on the final night of this season’s championship.
Clad in t-shirts printed “Digicel Pro League Champions 2012-2013,” the soldiers were finally exhaling after being chased relentlessly by runners-up Caledonia AIA (42 points).
But, the title was Defence Force’s to celebrate since Monday night despite losing 4–0 against third place finishers DirecTV W Connection at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, because Caledonia, the only other team with a shot at the title, had fallen 2–1 in its penultimate match later that night against Central FC.
The soldiers walked through a guard of honour formed by the T&TEC team including its head coach Dexter Cyrus on Friday night. However, despite the “Electric Boys” thoughtfulness, Defence Force toyed with the cellar positioned club from the first whistle sounded by referee Neil Brizan. Just seven minutes into the play, a casual looking Defence Force almost found the back of the net.
At first T&TEC rookie goalkeeper Tevin Archer pulled off a save against Kevon Carter but the ball was cleared as far as Jerwyn Balthazar just outside the area, and the midfielder’s effort crashed off the upright after taking a deflection. And seven minutes later, Balthazar curled another effort just wide of the upper right corner. But by the 31st minute Defence Force was in front 1-0 from an own goal by Cebastien Bailey.
Devorn Jorsling had dragged the ball towards the T&TEC goal and Bailey did the rest in slipping the ball past Archer at first post in an attempt to clear. Defence Force then made it 2–0 by the 38th minute when Carter completed a simple tap in at the back post, beating Archer, after Curtis Gonzales dispossessed Tigana Sparks in the middle of the T&TEC half and played a quick pass to Jorsling who found Carter.
It got worse for Bailey and T&TEC by the 52nd minute when the defender and own-goal scorer pulled Carter to the ground inside his area forcing referee Brizan to point to the spot.
Jorsling was comfortable over the ball and completed his 20th League goal this season a minute later. The League’s leading goalscorer was replaced soon after by Balondemu Julius. And, in the final minute of regulation time, a stroke of brilliance by Balthazar from distance let off a swerving blast that swooshed past the attempt of Archer for the 4–0 end result.
Caledonia, meantime, recorded a 3–0 win over St Ann’s Rangers in the second match at the Ato Boldon Stadium, on Friday night. Stephan David had the Morvant-Laventille club in front by the 31st minute from the penalty spot, and second half goals by Jamal Gay (47th minute) and Vurlon Mills (65th minute) completed the victory for the second positioned finishers.
In the earlier match at the Couva venue, Connection (38 points) defeated Police FC 5–0 to secure a third position finish ahead of North East Stars with a better goal difference.
The Stars were 1–0 winners over fifth positioned Central FC in the first match at the Marvin Lee Stadium thanks to a first half strike by Kerry Baptiste.
Friday’s Results
W Connection 5 (Neil Benjamin 15th, Andrei Pacheco 20th, 48th, 50th, Stefano Rijssel 29th) vs Defence Force 0
Defence Force 4 (Cebastien Bailey og 31st, Kevon Carter 38th, Devorn Jorsling 53rd pen, Jerwyn Balthazar 90th)vs T&TEC 0
Caledonia AIA 3 (Stephan David 31st pen, Jamal Gay 47th, Vurlon Mills 65th) vs St Ann’s Rangers 0
North East Stars 1 (Kerry Baptiste) vs Central FC 0
Standings
Teams Pld W D L F A Pts
Def Force 21 14 4 3 52 22 46
Caledonia 21 13 3 5 53 27 42
W Connection 21 11 5 5 46 19 38
N/E Stars 21 10 8 3 32 17 38
Central FC 21 8 6 7 31 32 30
Police FC 21 3 7 11 25 43 16
Rangers 21 2 7 12 22 13
T&TEC 21 2 2 17 13 65 8