Dylon King and Marvin Lee both struck as St. Ann’s Rangers—the usual minnows now occupying second—continued their surprise start to the 2016/17 Digicel Pro League season with a 2-0 win over Police FC on Friday night at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
Rangers weren’t the only ones celebrating an upset on the night, after Club Sando, in the first game of the Couva double-header, had a goal each from Keithy Simpson, Akeem Roach and substitute Akeem Humphrey in the second half to overturn a two-goal deficit and defeat Defence Force 3-2.
Defence Force were 2-0 ahead at the break after Hashim Arcia and Sean Narcis found the back of goalkeeper Kelvin Henry’s net in the 25th minute and stoppage-time of the first half, respectively, off right side crosses from winger Jemel Sebro.
Sebro (knee) failed to continue beyond the hour mark, at which time Sando had already trimmed the deficit 1-2 three minutes earlier through Jamaican midfielder Keithy Simpson, hitting past army goalkeeper Andre Marchan, following a move involving Roach and Humphrey.
Humphrey, the regular Sando captain who entered play following the break, and Roach, a 20-year-old former Defence Force player with a point to prove, were the real troublemakers against the Army/Coast Guard combination, and eventually the Angus Eve-coached Sando were celebrating their first win of the season after four attempts.
Roach levelled Sando 2-2 when he hit home from close up in the 78th minute after the army defence and ‘keeper Marchan were sent into disarray following an attempt by Simpson and a follow-up by another orange shirt.
Marchan, who was lucky not to concede four minutes from the half after defender Devin Jordan cleared off the line to deny Keron Cornwall, was forced into two later saves ten minutes from time as a rejuvenated Sando searched for the winner.
That goal, though, would come in the 85th minute through Humphrey. The attacking midfielder rounded Marchan and last ditch attempt from a defender following a pass from Roach before hitting into the net for a 3-2 score as Sando celebrated their first win of the season following narrow defeats against San Juan Jabloteh, Central FC and W Connection.
Rangers, meanwhile, are now with two wins (Defence Force and Police FC), one draw (Morvant Caledonia United) and one loss (Ma Pau Stars) under return coach Anthony Streete this season.
Friday’s win hurdled Rangers (7 points) five spots up into second on the DPL standings—two points behind leaders and two-time defending champions Central FC and one point above both San Juan Jabloteh and Ma Pau Stars, who face each other from 5pm at the Barataria Recreation Ground on Sunday.
King punished his former team-mates, Police, to put Rangers ahead on 32 minutes from a well-orchestrated set piece above the area that sent goalkeeper Adrian Foncette the wrong way.
Police, unable to shake off last Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Point Fortin Civic, mounting numerous raids—many of which were quelled by Rangers goalkeeper Cleon John—but were unable to find a way back.
Rangers, though, the quicker of the two teams on the night and looked more dangerous on the counterattack, including a play that saw King rattle the crossbar a minute from time.
But Police’s lights were finally out in stoppage-time when a wonder goal by substitute Lee made it 2-0. Lee, set alight by a King pass, made rushed into the area and minced a couple challenges by Kenaz Williams before hitting low past Foncette to find the bottom right corner.
Digicel Pro League 2016/17
Round One Match Day Four
Friday’s (Oct. 21, 2016) results
Club Sando 3 (Keithy Simpson 53’, Akeem Roach 78’, Akeem Humphrey 85’) vs Defence Force 2 (Hashim Arcia 25’, Sean Narcis 45’+), at the Ato Boldon Stadium;
St. Ann’s Rangers 2 (Dylon King 32’, Marvin Lee 90’+) vs Police FC 0, at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
Upcoming fixtures
Round One Match Day Four
Sunday Oct. 23, 2016
Barataria Recreation Ground
San Juan Jabloteh vs Ma Pau Stars—5pm
Tuesday Oct. 25, 2016
Ato Boldon Stadium
W Connection vs Point Fortin Civic—6pm
Central FC vs Morvant Caledonia United—8pm