Club Sando registered a third straight win on Tuesday night to move up a spot into eight on the Digicel Pro League 2015-16 standings courtesy a second half Jeromie Williams goal.
Sando, now with 10 points as seventh positioned Point Fortin Civic, had occupied bottom spot with just one point after eight league outings. But since returning to action following the Christmas break, the Anthony Streete coached-outfit are now riding a three-game winning streak, including wins over Morvant Caledonia United (3-0) and W Connection (1-0).
The only other side making upward movement on Tuesday were Central FC, after the defending DPL champions held current leaders, Defence Force (now 21 points), to a 0-0 draw in the second game of a double-header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
The contest had the expected intensity, but no final third bite as Defence Force stood without regular forwards Devorn Jorsling and Richard Roy in their line-up. While Central FC lacked the energy of striker Willis Plaza, who recently joined Salvadoran club Alianza.
Defence Force defender Glynn Franklyn came closest to scoring when his header on 25 minutes, off a Kishun Seecharan corner, clipped the crossbar.
While Central, who added some late life with the debut of 20-year-old forward Ricardo John, saw the former T&T Under-20 player putting goalkeeper Sheldon Clarke into a late save and moments earlier Marcus Joseph had a wide attempt but nothing to avoid the stalemate.
With the point earned, Central hurdled Police for second position only by goal-difference as both teams are now tied on 18 points after the Lawmen, earlier in the day, were defeated 2-0 at North East Stars.
Forward Gorean Highley netted on 24 and 42 minutes, tallying three goals in his last two games, to earn new North East Stars head coach Ross Russell his first win after two attempts.
The result kept North East Stars in fifth, but tied on 17 points with fourth positioned San Juan Jabloteh.
Jabloteh, in the first match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, maintained their position on the standings after rebounding from a two-goal first half deficit to beat visiting Civic 3-2.
Forward Shackiel Henry scored a first half brace, netting powerful strikes on 22 and 45 minutes for Civic.
Jabloteh were forced to call on the services of first choice goalie Shemel Louison after just 12 minutes of play but that didn’t help against Henry.
The Grenada national team goalie was summoned after second choice ‘keeper Raheem Belgrave injured his leg while making a clearance in the area.
Jabloteh, however, stormed back in the second period with three goals to snatch full points.
Winger Kennedy Hinkson reduced the deficit 1-2 two minutes after the restart with a stroke of brilliance when he curled a right-footer around a full stretch Louison and into the far netting.
Civic had themselves to blame when poor defending on corners saw Jabloteh level the scores then produce the winner.
Forward Jamal Gay, who missed a golden opportunity from close up in the first half, punished the visitors on 53 minutes with a header off a Tyrone Charles corner.
Another Charles corner on 72 minute and midfielder Keyon Edwards, too, was able to head free to secure the come-from-behind win.
Edwards’ former club Morvant Caledonia United, were unable to manage such a feat earlier in Couva after going under 4-2 against last season’s DPL runners-up W Connection.
Shahdon Winchester scored twice (3rd & 36th minutes) in the first half while teammates Jabari Mitchell (14th minute) and Jomal Williams (62nd minutes) each had a goal to put Connection comfortably ahead 4-0.
Pernell Schultz (63rd minute) and Kareem Joseph (68th minute) reduced the deficit for Caledonia, but on the wrong side of a 4-2 score, the Eastern Stallions are anchored at the bottom of the standings with just 4 points from 10 games.
Caledonia will return to action on Friday 15 January in Round Two Match Day Two against crosstown rivals San Juan Jabloteh from 6 p.m. at the Hasely Crawford Stadium followed by Defence Force against St. Ann’s Rangers from 8 p.m.
Also on Friday, Club Sando will host North East Stars from 6 p.m. at the Ato Boldon Stadium followed by Central FC against Point Fortin Civic from 8 p.m.
Police FC and W Connection will clash from 3:30 p.m. at the Larry Gomes Stadium in the lone game on Saturday 16 January.
Results
Police FC 0 vs North East Stars 2 (Gorean Highley 24’ 42’)
Club Sando 1 (Jeromie Williams 66’) vs St. Ann’s Rangers 0
W Connection 4 (Shahdon Winchester 3’, 36’, Jabari Mitchell 14’, Jomal Williams 62’) vs Morvant Caledonia United 2 (Pernell Schultz 63’, Kareem Joseph 68’)
San Juan Jabloteh 3 (Kennedy Hinkson 47’, Jamal Gay 53’, Keyon Edwards 72’) vs Point Fortin Civic 2(Shackiel Henry 22’, 45’)
Defence Force 0 vs Central FC 0
Teams
San Juan Jabloteh: 36.Raheem Belgrave (30.Shemel Louison (12th minute); 10.Tyrone Charles, 8.Keyon Edwards, 7.Jamal Gay, 23.Kennedy Hinkson (22.Caleb Sturge 74th minute), 16.Kaashif Thomas (9.Brent Sam 46th minute), 18.Jevon Morris, 21.Aquil Selby, 5.Ricardo Harriott, 24.Adrian Reid, 11.Damian Williams
Unused substitutes: 4.Garth Thomas, 14.Sean Bonval, 27.Nathan Lewis
Coach: Keith Jeffrey
Point Fortin Civic: 1.Miles Goodman; 27.Kern Peters, 21.Ronell Paul, 19.Andrei Pacheco, 9.Shackiel Henry, 20.Jamille Boatswain, 14.Kerwin Stafford (18.Shaquille Stewart 56th minute), 16.Kelvin Modeste (Capt.), 11.Tigana Sparks (10.Bevon Bass 84th minute), 8.Akeem Redhead, 2.Garyl Doldron
Unused substitutes: 23.Mickell Charles, 3.Kurt Pierre, 52.Akini Adams (GK), 10.Bevon Bass, 26.Kern George, 25.Troy Moses
Coach: Leroy De Leon
Teams
Defence Force: 25.Sheldon Clarke; 2.Glynn Franklyn, 6.Rodell Elcock, 16.Kellon Serette (10.Hashim Arcia 65th minute), 17.Ross Russell Jr., 18.Sean Narcis, 99.Jerwyn Balthazar (Capt.), 21.Aklie Edwards, 4.Dave Long (52.Stephan Campbell 65th minute), 13.Marvin Jones (8.Curtis Gonzales 70th minute), 30.Kishun Seecharan
Unused substitutes: 3.Jamali Garcia, 7.Jelani Felix, 23.Kerry Joseph, 80.Aaron Enill (GK)
Coach: Marvin Gordon
Central FC: 21.Jan Michael Williams (Capt.); 2.Elton John, 3.Keion Goodridge (24.Kevon Villaroel 62nd minute), 4.Andre Ettienne, 5.Akeem Benjamin, 8.Sean De Silva (7.Jason Marcano 76th minute), 11.Darren Mitchell, 12.Jamal Jack, 15.Kaydion Gabriel, 45.Ataulla Guerra, 99.Marcus Joseph (18.Ricardo John 80th minute)
Unused substitutes: 30.Akel Clarke (GK), 10.Marvin Oliver, 25.Elijah Manners, 19.Nathaniel Garcia, 14.Nicholas Dillon
Coach: Dale Saunders
Upcoming Games
Friday 15 January 2016
San Juan Jabloteh vs Morvant Caledonia United—6 pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium
Defence Force vs St. Ann’s Rangers—8 pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium
Club Sando vs North East Stars—6 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium
Central FC vs Point Fortin Civic—8 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium
Saturday 16 January 2016
Police FC vs W Connection—3:30 pm, Larry Gomes Stadium