Rondell Austin celebrated his first top-flight goal, a match-winning strike on Wednesday as Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers recorded their first 2018 Pro League win, goal and points of coach Dave ‘Hog Head’ Quamina’s era after three attempts with a narrow 1-0 result over visiting Point Fortin Civic at Larry Gomes Stadium.
Austin’s powerful right-footer at the back post broke an untidy deadlock in the 69th minute, and saw Rangers bounce back from last week's 10-0 loss against Defence Force FC, beating Civic first choice goalkeeper Miles Goodman after 19-year-old substitute Miquel Williams’ left side cross was allowed across the six yard area.
Austin, who operates on the right wing, was later replaced injured but stood hero of a rookie Rangers side that this week secured the services of veteran poacher and all-time Pro League second top scorer Kerry Baptiste. Defence Force forward Devorn Jorsling leads the all-time top scorers’ list.
Baptiste, who won titles with San Juan Jabloteh, Joe Public, North East Stars and Central FC, represented the Couva Sharks as recent as last Saturday in a 6-1 loss against W Connection before making the switch Rangers, a side loaded with players 23 and under.
Baptiste, 36, who had a header foiled by Goodman 11 minutes from time, provided an excellent opening for Austin after 15 minutes but the winger flopped the opportunity.
Austin, however, redeemed himself midway through the second half to lift Rangers (3 points) four spots off the bottom into sixth on the ladder – one spot ahead of Civic (2 points) who are without a win after four games with their last two ending in loses.
Civic forward Nion Lammy wasted a chance which had goal written all over it in the 34th minute before he was replaced at the restart by Akinola Gregory in a double change by coach Reynold Carrington who introduced veteran midfielder Hughtun Hector in place of Shaquille Dublin.
Gregory added life to the Civic attack but after twice troubling the side netting and forcing 17-year-old goalkeeper Josiah Perez into a 54th-minute save, it wasn’t enough to avoid the Point Fortin club a fifth straight winless match in all competitions.
Wednesday’s double-header carded at the Hasely Crawford Stadium – Morvant Caledonia v North East Stars and Defence Force v Police FC – was postponed due to safety concerns in the wake of Tuesday’s earthquake.
Pro League action resumes on Friday with San Juan Jabloteh against Club Sando and Defence Force taking on leaders W Connection from 6pm and 8pm respectively in a double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
Pro League 2018
Round 1 Match Day 4 results
(Wednesday 22 August)
St. Ann’s Rangers 1 (Rondell Austin 69’) vs Point Fortin Civic 0, 4pm at Larry Gomes Stadium.
(Tuesday 21 August)
Central FC 0 vs San Juan Jabloteh 3 (Jomoul Francois 9’, 16’, Dellon Jagessar 53’), at Ato Boldon Stadium;
W Connection 2 (Marcus Joseph 56’, Kadeem Corbin 66’) vs Club Sando 0, at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Upcoming Round 1 Match Day 5 fixtures
(Friday 24 August)
San Juan Jabloteh vs Club Sando, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Defence Force FC vs W Connection, 8pm at Ato Boldon Stadium.
(Saturday 25 August)
Point Fortin Civic vs Police FC, 6pm at Mahaica Oval;
North East Stars vs St. Ann’s Rangers, 4pm at Larry Gomes Stadium.
(Sunday 26 August)
Central FC vs Morvant Caledonia United, 4pm at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Pro League 2018 standings
Round One Match Day Four
# Team MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 W Connection 4 4 0 0 15 1 14 12
2 San Juan Jabloteh 4 3 1 0 6 1 5 10
3 Defence Force FC 3 2 1 0 15 4 11 7
4 Club Sando 4 2 1 1 4 4 0 7
5 Central FC 4 1 1 2 4 10 -6 4
6 St. Ann’s Rangers 3 1 0 2 1 13 -12 3
7 Point Fortin Civic 4 0 2 2 2 4 -2 2
8 Morvant Caledonia Utd 2 0 1 1 5 6 -1 1
9 North East Stars 3 0 1 2 1 4 -3 1
10 Police FC 3 0 0 3 2 8 -6 0
Teams at the Larry Gomes Stadium on Wednesday
St. Ann’s Rangers: 50. Josiah Perez (GK); 4. Lukeman Brooks, 54. Fedric Commissiong, 55. Alexis Blackwell (59. Shaquille John 68th minute), 56. Taje Commissiong, 58. Cedric Commissiong, 60. Tyrese Williams (57. Miquel Williams 58th minute), 66. Kerry Baptiste (Capt.), 77. Shaquille Thomas, 78. Xae-Pierre Defou, 79. Rondell Austin (74. Deyshawn Edwards 78th minute).
Unused substitutes: 22. Jabari St. Hillaire (GK); 53. Chadley David, 65. Jalineo O’Rosco, 72. Anthony Kallicharan.
Coach: Dave ‘Hog Head’ Quamina
Point Fortin Civic: 22. Miles Goodman (GK); 10. Jabari Mitchell (Capt.), 11. Akeem Redhead, 12. Rondell Phillip, 14. Shaquille John, 21. Ronell Paul, 25. Shaquille Dublin (7. Hughtun Hector 46th minute), 27. Darnell Hospedales, 30. Nion Lammy (24. Akinola Gregory 46th minute), 33. Justin Sadoo, 99. Steven Joseph.
Unused substitutes: 1. Jasse Aguilerra (GK).
Coach: Reynold Carrington
Match Officials
Referee: Marlon Peruse
Assistant Referee 1: Anton Gill
Assistant Referee 2: Kurt Charles
Fourth Official: Kwinsi Williams
Match Commissioner: Marcia Williams