W Connection unbeaten after 10 league matches; Caesar scores twice as Stars defeat Caledonia

Left-back Kurt Frederick opened the scoring in the 15th minute and midfielder Jomol Williams rounded it off in the 56th minute for Stuart Charles Fevrier’s men, still runaway leaders, with 26 points at the top and unbeaten after 10 league games.

Rangers, who were mauled 7-0 in Round One by the Couva club, had an opportunity from the penalty spot in the 37th minute however Josh Toussaint failed to convert.

While in a simultaneous encounter at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Sangre Grande outfit North East Stars, led by a Trevin Caesar double, defeated Caledonia AIA 2-0 to improve their position in second with 17 points, but still a huge gap away from Connection.

Caesar, a former Caledonia player, scored on either side of the half, first stunning his former employers in the 14th minute and again in the 88th minute.

The 24 year-old speedy Tobagonian slammed a low shot from just inside the area after gliding in from the right to beat Caledonia’s Jamaican goalkeeper Kevin Graham, who only managed some elbow to the ball, for an early 1-0 advantage.

Then he made it 2-0, two minutes from regular time, when he collected a pass forward by 18 year-old substitute defender Jesus Perez and outraced Caledonia defenders Nuru Abdullah Muhammad and Aubrey David before firing past Graham, who was only reacquired this week.

Graham was brought back into the team by head coach Jamaal Shabazz, a former goalkeeper himself, in efforts to rid the Morvant/Laventille club of goalkeeping problems. Only last week Grenadian international Shemel Louison was side-lined due to a thigh injury, and just over a month ago former T&T U23 goalkeeper Glenroy Samuel was sacked.

Graham was lucky not to concede in the 6oth minute thanks to a brilliant clearance off the line by Muhammad to deny Caesar.

Caesar had done well to hook towards goal an effort, after blowing past Graham to meet teammate Jeromie Williams’ pass, after the midfielder had won the ball against Caledonia’s Noel Williams, who was also disposed of the ball by Perez for the second goal.

Caledonia, who fell to a 3-0 defeat in Round One against the Angus Eve coached-Stars, had an effort headed wide in the 58th minute by Jamal Gay, who was picked out by Williams. And in the 93rd minute of play Stars’ goalkeeper and captain, Cleon John, had to push wide a free kick by substitute Tyrone Charles.

North East Stars are now four points clear of Caledonia (third), Police FC (fourth), Central FC (fifth) and Defence Force (sixth), all with 13 points. San Juan Jabloteh (seventh) and Point Fortin Civic (eight) follows with 10 points each, while Rangers occupy the bottom spot with just 3 points.

Round Two Match Day Two continues on Saturday when Police FC travels to the Mahaica Oval to take on home side Point Fortin Civic from 3.30 pm.

Caledonia AIA 0 – 2 North East Stars
Trevin Caesar 14', 88'

W Connection 2 – 0 St. Ann's Rangers
Kurt Frederick 15', Jomol Williams 59'

Caledonia AIA—34. Kevin Graham (GK), 7. Stephan David (C), 3. Nuru Abdullah Muhammad, 2. Aubrey David, 6. Marcus Ambrose (16. Tyrone Charles 71st minute), 9. Keyon Edwards, 17. Akim Armstrong, 20. Noel Williams, 21. Densil Theobald, 23. Jamal Gay (13. Julian Wade 82nd minute), 27. Nathan Lewis (10. Ralph Lundy 71st minute)

Unused substitutes—5. Akeem Thomas, 12. Kareem Joseph, 25. Keron Bethelmy, 33. Jesse Peters (GK)

Coach—Jamaal Shabazz

North East Stars—22. Cleon John (GK)(C), 5. Aquil Selby, 6. Jeromie Williams, 8. Keron Cummings, 11. Lemuel Lyons (9. Akiel Guevara 36th minute), 12. Jayson Joseph, 18. Kaashif Thomas (41. Neveal Hackshaw 86th minute), 19. Glenton Wolfe (48. Jesus Perez 65th minute), 20. Trevin Caesar, 23. Kennedy Hinkson, 25. Kerwyn Navarro

Unused substitutes—1. Stefan Berkeley (GK), 7. Elijah Manners, 37. Neil Mitchell, 40. Jomoul Francois

Coach—Angus Eve

Match Referee—Michael London