Striker Richard Roy made the best of a rare start on Thursday by netting a pair of goals as reigning Digicel Pro League champions Defence Force devoured cellar positioned St. Ann's Rangers 5-1 on Thursday night.
The rescheduled Round Two Match Day Five win leapfrogged coach Ross Russell's side over Police FC and Caledonia AIA — both with 21 points — to now occupy fifth position with 23 points.
Six points ahead of Defence Force are Central FC, Point Fortin Civic and North East Stars — all with 29 points — while leaders W Connection are well ahead with 37 points.
Roy, staring in place of regular centre forward Devorn Jorsling, opened the account on the half hour mark by capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Rangers, and firing low past a stranded goalkeeper Terrence Lewis for a 1-0 score.
And three minutes before the break winger Kerry Joseph doubled the Soldiers' advantage, 2-0, with a simple knock-in at the back post.
Rangers, who registered 3-2 shock win over Defence Force last October in Round One, conceded a third by the 62nd minute when Roy completed his double at the Marvin Lee Stadium.
The robust forward was set free into the area by a Dave Long pass, and executed a cool finish past Lewis for a 3-0 score.
Midfielder Josimar Belgrave, scorer of the opening item in a 2-0 win over Caledonia on Tuesday, joined in on the fun, when he pounced on a spill by Lewis to hit into an open net for a 4-0 lead.
But when Defence Force goalie Kevin Graham's cut-off on a strike by Quincy Ballah, only played the ball into the path of Rangers' substitute Josh Toussaint five minutes from time, the 16-year-old attacking player directed the ball into the back of the net for a consolation item, and reduced the deficit 1-4.
However Rangers, now with 16 defeats, one win and no draws, conceded their 52nd league goal of the season on the 90th minute.
Substitutes Jorsling and Balondemu Julius, who replaced Roy and Belgrave in the 69th minute, combined for the fifth Defence Force item and completed the 5-1 win.
It was from Jorsling's short cross from the left that Julius fired past a helpless Lewis.
Rangers will return to action on Saturday from 4 pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium against Police FC in Round Three Match Day Two, while Defence Force, with three games in hand, are expected to meet Point Fortin Civic on Sunday.
Results
St. Ann's Rangers 1—5 Defence Force
Josh Toussaint 85' ; Richard Roy 30', 62', Kerry Joseph 42', Josimar Belgrave 68', Balondemu Julius 90'
Teams
St. Ann’s Rangers—25. Terrence Lewis (C), 4. Jelani Peters, 10. Kenedy Isles, 14. Michael Yaw Darko (50. Kyle LaBorde 77th), 20. Dillon Abraham (26. Josh Toussaint 54th), 33. Isaiah McIntyre, 51. Keron Cornwall, 21. Jair Edwards, 39. Shaquille Moses, 23. Quincy Ballah, 16. Keron Alexander (44. Sedale McLean 83rd)
Unused substitutes—1. Akel Clarke (GK), 5. Keon Peters, 31. Jameel Antoine, 49. Chad Clinton
Coach—Gilbert Bateau
Defence Force—1. Kevin Graham, 14. Corey Rivers (C), 2. Glynn Franklyn, 3. Keston Williams, 26. Richard Roy (9. Devorn Jorsling 69th), 17. Ross Russell Jr., 15. Jerwyn Balthazar, 4. Dave Long, 10. Josimar Belgrave (7. Balondemu Julius 69th), 12. Jemel Sebro, 23. Kerry Joseph (18. Sean Narcis 58th)
Unused substitutes—25. Sheldon Clarke (GK), 5. Devin Jordan, 8. Curtis Gonzales, 13. Marvin Jones
Coach—Ross Russell