‘Lethal’ Lundy lifts AIA second; chaos as Central and N/E Stars draw

However it referee Neil Brizan that stood in focus following the second match of the Round Two Match Day Six double header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium which ended 1-1 between bitter rivals Central FC and North East Stars.

The Stars, coached by Angus Eve – a former assistant to Fenwick during his time in charge of San Juan Jabloteh, led the match 1-0 courtesy a classy flick by Jamaican midfielder Keithy Simpson a minute before the break, and held onto the score for the rest of regulation time.

But in the first of four stoppage-time minutes, a questionable foul went Central’s way at the sound of Brizan’s whistle after substitute Rundell Winchester and Stars’ defender Aquil Selby collided inside the area.

Marvin Oliver then struck a composed kick into the right corner from the spot to beat Stars’ second choice goalie Stephan Barkeley and level the score 1-1.

Soon after, Brizan evicted an enraged Eve from the technical area, and followed up by also pointing an uncontrollable Stars’ equipment manager Selwyn Gabriel to the stands.

Brizan, who was accosted by players, staff and even Stars’ owner Darryl Mahabir at the centre of the pitch following the final whistle, was even forced to serve goal-scorer Simpson a direct red card.

Simpson, whose flick, off a well-place Kennedy Hinkson free-kick, looped over Central goalie Jan-Michael Williams, will miss Tuesday’s clash against San Juan Jabloteh from 6 pm at the Marvin Lee Stadium.

Jabloteh, positioned eight on the standings, will first tackle home-team Point Fortin Civic, who are unbeaten in their last five matches, from 3.30 pm at the Mahaica Oval in Point Fortin on Saturday.

Civic, who ended the lengthy unbeaten spell of leaders W Connection last weekend with a 2-0 score, slipped a spot into third following Friday night’s matches with Caledonia, tied with 20 points, ahead by goal difference.

Lundy, a mid-season Caledonia signing, opened his account in the 9th minute when he picked up a poor clearance by Rangers goalie Akel Clarke, had a stare, then spanked a low left footed strike into the back of the net from 24 yards out.

The 23-year-old American midfielder had a bite at goal again in the 17th minute, but Clarke did enough to tame the low effort before gathering it at the goal-line.

But when Lundy, who pledged to excite the league, popped up again in the 20th minute with a looped pass into the area, powerful Grenadian striker Denron Frederick outmuscled his marker to hit past Clarke for a 2-0 Caledonia cushion.

Lundy’s lethal left boot wrapped up his double and the 3-0 score in the 34th minute, pouncing on Frederick’s rebound off a Nathan Lewis cross.

Caledonia, now 12 points behind leaders Connection, failed to improve on the score-line in the second period but surely enjoys the improved position in second from fifth.

Connection, on the bye this weekend, will return to action on Tuesday against town-rivals Central from 8 pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Central, still sixth, are currently unbeaten in their last six outings, but have only managed draws in the last five, and Friday’s 1-1 result against the Stars could stand as the most difficult of them all.

The “Sharks” best effort on goal prior to the equalizing penalty, came from a header by substitute Dwight Quintero on the hour mark, but that effort was kept out superbly at the goalmouth by goalkeeper Berkeley.

Friday’s contest lived up to expectations—a slugfest—and ended in the same 1-1 result as their Round One clash, while Central will remember its 2-1 win over Sangre Grande club in the quarterfinal round of the 2013 First Citizens Cup, which Fenwick’s side went on to win.

Results

Caledonia AIA 3—0 St. Ann’s Rangers
Ralph Lundy 9’, 34’, Denron Frederick 20’

North East Stars 1—1 Central FC
Keithy Simpson 44’  ;  Marvin Oliver 90’+2 (PEN)

Teams

Caledonia AIA—34. Kevin Graham, 3. Nuru Abdullah Muhammad (C), 4. Raymond Alleyne, 6. Marcus Ambrose, 8. Keron Bethelmy, 9. Keyon Edwards, 10. Ralph Lundy (16. Tyrone Charles 72nd), 12. Kareem Joseph, 18. Denron Frederick (17. Akim Armstrong 72nd), 20. Noel Williams, 27. Nathan Lewis (22. Jameel Neptune 87th).

Unused substitutes—33. Jesse Peters (GK), 13. Julian Wade, 19. Nical Stephens, 30. Akil Stafford.

Coach—Jamaal Shabazz.

St. Ann’s Rangers—1. Akel Clarke, 4. Jelani Peters (C), 10. Kennedy Isles, 14. Michael Yaw Darko, 18. Jemel Berot, 28. Kadeem Corbin (30. Rickyl Morris 89th), 31. Jameel Antoine, 33. Isaiah Mc Intyre, 36. Hakeem Legall (5. Keon Peters 82nd), 41. Kevin Carter, 49.  Chad Clinton (16. Keron Alexander 60th).

Unused substitutes—25. Terrence Lewis (GK), 26. Josh Toussaint, 32. Joshua Sylvester, 43. Shomarie Antoine.

Coach—Gilbert Bateau.

Teams

Central FC—21. Jan-Michael Williams, 10. Marvin Oliver (C) (Yellow Card), 27. Samuel Delice, 24. Akeem Benjamin (Yellow Card) (13. Johan Peltier 46th), 50. Yohance Marshall, 12. Jamal Jack (Yellow Card), 9. Dwight Quintero, 6. Leston Paul, 1. Willis Plaza (22. Keion Trim 65th), 9. Dwight Quintero (17. Rundell Winchester 65th), 2. Elton John.

Unused substitutes—25. Javon Sample (GK), 18. Kevon Goddard, 5. Sean de Silva, 11. Darren Mitchell.

Coach—Terry Fenwick.

North East Stars—1. Stephan Berkeley, 19. Glenton Wolfe (C), 7. Elijah Manners, 8. Keron Cummings, 5. Aquil Selby, 4. Keithy Simpson, 48. Jesus Perez (Yellow Card), 12. Jayson Joseph, 6. Jeromie Williams, 20. Trevin Caesar (41. Neveal Hackshaw 84th), 23. Kennedy Hinkson (11. Lemuel Lyons 82nd).

Unused substitutes—22. Cleon John (GK), 16. Franz Husbands, 9. Akiel Guevara, 18. Kaashif Thomas, 15. Chike Sullivan.

Coach—Angus Eve

Upcoming Matches Digicel Pro League 2013/2014 Round Two Match Day Six

Saturday 8 February 2014

Point Fortin Civic vs San Juan Jabloteh—3.30 pm, Mahaica Oval, Point Fortin

Round Two Match Day Seven Tuesday 11 February 2014

Police FC vs St. Ann’s Rangers—6 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium
Central FC vs W Connection—8 pm,Ato Boldon Stadium

North East Stars vs San Juan Jabloteh—6 pm, Marvin Lee Stadium