San Juan Jabloteh bounced back after letting in own-goal to defeat Club Sando 2-1 at the Larry Gomes Stadium this afternoon (Wednesday) in their Round Two Match Day Eight clash of the 2015/16 Digicel Pro League.
But Jabloteh, who hammered Sando 6-0 when both sides met on Dec. 15 in Round One, levelled the scores 1-1 through Garth Thomas before Jamaican Adrian converted from the penalty spot to secure full points for the Keith Jeffrey coached-side.
Jabloteh remains fifth but with an improved tally of 26 points, one point behind fourth-placed Police FC but 11 points away from leaders and defending champions, Central FC.
Jeffrey’s decision to push defender Garth Thomas in the middle while introducing January/February transfer window signing Akeem Benjamin from Central FC in right-back at the expense of forward Sean Bonval, paid off.
Thomas, set free into the area by a through-ball, fired Jabloteh level in the 70th minute on the second bite at goal after Sando goalkeeper Jason Belfon had parried the initial attempt.
Belfon along with Grenada national teammates, cousins Shannon and Moron Phillip, and Rickson Phillip were part of five key transfer window signings started by a new-look Sando today.
Sando regular starting goalie Kelvin Henry was an unused substitute along with defenders Corneal Thomas and Amrit Gildharry and midfielder Shaquille Holder, while attackers Kevon Woodley, Akeem Humphrey and Devon Modeste were used within the final 30 minutes.
However it was Sando’s Grenada quartet’s fellow countryman and national teammate, Shemel Louison in goal for Jabloteh who enjoyed victory under the sunshine.
Sando’s recent signing, 20-year-old United States-born attacker Bradley Nestor had the best attempt on Louison’s goal when his free-kick flashed overbar midway into the first half, moments after Jabloteh’s Nathan Lewis struck the Sando upright on the opposite end with a cheeky attempt to beat Belfon at the near upright.
Belfon was later unable to meet Fabian Reid’s well-struck penalty strike in the 75th minute and Jabloteh were in front 2-1.
Referee Keilon Bacchus awarded the penalty after Kennedy Hinkson, who was tripped just outside the edge of the box by defender Kevon Neaves, went skidding into the area.
Sando contested the penalty decision but Bacchus’ judgement was final, while Jabloteh felt compensated after only winning a free-kick at the edge of the area three minutes into the second period after arguing that Bonval was tripped inside the box by the same Neaves.
Jabloteh will return to the Larry Gomes Stadium on Sunday against North East Stars, while Sando must face W Connection on the same day. Both games kick off from 3:30 pm.
Results
Defence Force 0 vs W Connection 1 (Jabari Mitchell 90’), at Marvin Lee Stadium;
Morvant Caledonia United 2 (Sheldon Holder 10’, Kareem Joseph 90’+1) vs Point Fortin Civic 0, at Marvin Lee Stadium;
Police FC 2 (Lewis 44’, Jamerson 78’) vs St. Ann’s Rangers 1 (Kadeem Hutchinson 25’), at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Central FC 3 (Marcus Joseph 32’, Jason Marcano 43’, 76’) vs North East Stars 0, at Ato Boldon Stadium.
San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Garth Thomas 70’, Adrian Reid 75’ penalty) vs Club Sando 1 (65’ Own Goal), at Larry Gomes Stadium
Teams
San Juan Jabloteh: 30.Shemel Louison; 4.Garth Thomas, 7.Jamal Gay, 8.Keyon Edwards, 21.Aquil Selby, 24.Adrian Reid, 13.Fabien Reid, 14.Sean Bonval (6.Akeem Benjamin 59th minute), 23.Kennedy Hinkson (76 minute), 9.Brent Sam,, 3.Nathan Lewis, 15.Jerome Mc Intyre
Unused substitutes: 3.Lincoln Burns, 12.Jordan Devonish, 19.Domonic Douglas, 35.Andrew Durant (GK)
Coach: Keith Jeffrey
Club Sando: 1.Jason Belfon; 3.Shannon Phillip, 4.Moron Phillip (7.Akeem Humphrey 67th minute), 9.Jesse Downing, 10.Kevon Neaves, 12.Jack Weedon (24.Devon Modeste 80th minute), 13.Kern Cupid, 17.Jared London, 19.Ryan Frederick, 20.Rickson Phillip (16.Kevon Woodley 60th minute), 35.Bradley Nestor
Unused substitutes: 15.Amrit Gildharry, 22.Corneal Thomas, 34.Kelvin Henry (GK), 26.Shaquille Holder
Coach: Anthony Streete
Match Referee: Keilon Bacchus
Upcoming Fixtures
Saturday 20 February 2016
Morvant Caledonia United vs Defence Force—3:30 pm, Manny Ramjohn Stadium
St. Ann’s Rangers vs Central FC—3:30 pm, Larry Gomes Stadium
Point Fortin Civic vs Police FC—5 pm, Mahaica Oval
Sunday 21 February 2016
North East Stars vs San Juan Jabloteh—3:30 pm, Larry Gomes Stadium
W Connection vs Club Sando—3:30 pm, Manny Ramjohn Stadium