To say Ma Pau Stars missed the services of defender Carlos Edwards and goalkeeper Glenroy Samuel would be a bit of an understatement as Digicel Pro League action resumed at the Barataria recreation ground on Friday with Match Day Four of Round Two.
With those two key players away on National duty, the Sangre Grande outfit went down 5-3 to St Ann’s Rangers who saw the emergence of a 19 year old on the big stage. Remember the name, Micah Lansiquot, the Carenage native was undoubtedly the star of the show as Anthony Streete’s team made a mockery of game predictions to upset the team who was sitting three places above them on the points table in fifth.
Lansiquot got the scoresheet buzzing as early as the 11th minute with a beauty of a finish which Ma Pau goalkeeper on the day Shane Mattis could do nothing about as his defence failed to clear a throw-in from the left side and Jameel Antoine lobbed a side-footed pass to the National under 20 winger who controlled and let loose up into the top corner.
Three minutes later he was causing problems again when he burst through the heart of the Ma Pau defence following a steal and slipped one to Dylon King who made no mistake. Things settled down a bit after that and Ma Pau even created a couple chances but Christopher Biggette did well to keep them out.
The scoring resumed in the 37th minute when Ross Russell’s men went to sleep while defending a corner and Antoine turned scorer to make it 3-0 Rangers as his shot caused Mattis to have an unwanted meeting with the post.
That goal woke them up, six minutes later, the ever dependable Jerrel Britto surprised Biggette with a low scorcher from atop the box to make the score 3-1 at the half. Fifteen minutes into the second period Hayden Tinto caused some worry to creep into the Rangers camp when he pulled his team within one with a rocket from a tight angle.
Things got worse one minute later when Samuel Delice got a red card following a second caution when he upended Britto. It was Britto causing issues again after that as he earned a penalty for his team which was saved by Biggette but Streete did all the right things on the evening as he regrouped his players with some calm instructions which resulted in goal number four coming off the boot of King in the 76th minute. Once again it was Lansiquot doing all the hard work on the flank to provide the assist.
Defender Shakiyl Phillip got into the act with five minutes remaining when he took the ball from deep in his half straight to the opposing goal to kill off all resistance from Ma Pau. Well not all, there was Britto again in the 87th minute to round out the scoring and make the final score 5-3. The win taking St Ann’s Rangers to sixth on the points table and within sight of their season ambitions to finish in the top five.
Game two at Barataria was not as goal filled but another youngster made his name on the night not only with a goal but with some fine mature play in the San Juan Jabloteh offence. Josiah Trimmingham with the lone item for Keith Jeffrey’s team in a win over Morvant/Caledonia United. That triumph keeping Jabloteh in touch with the leaders who are in separate encounters on Tuesday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium from 6:00pm and 8:00pm.