TWO years after finishing as the worst team in the T&T Pro League, North East Stars are now just five matches away from clinching their first title.
Six points clear at the top, and with a game in hand, the Sangre Grande-based club begin their five-match title run today against fellow East campaigners Arima-Morvant Fire from 4 p.m. at the Sangre Grande Recreation ground.
The game marks the start of the fourth round of the 2004 T&T Pro League, involving the top six teams that have a chance of winning the league title.
Two years ago, newly-promoted Stars lost their first 18 league matches and both FCB Cup first-leg encounters, before stunning Joe Public 1-0 for their first-ever win at the top level.
Back then, club owner Darryl Mahabir was so elated, one would have thought he won the league.
After losing 20 matches in a row, Mahabir declared that he hoped it was also the start of things to come. It was.
After contracting Guyanese coach Jimmy McLean and Guyanese national players such as Randolph Jerome and Charles Pollard, Stars began the turnaround last year by capturing the prestigious FA Trophy and also had their best league finish when third to CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh and runners-up Vibe CT105 W. Connection.
And this year, led by Jerren Nixon's 31 goals, Stars have done even better and have led the T&T Pro League for much of the season.
Now, with just five matches to go, the T&T Pro League is theirs to win or lose, beginning today against Fire.
It will not be easy, though, as the cavalry are charging and both Jabloteh and W. Connection are still close enough to capture the crown.
Defending champions Jabloteh are also in action today, against the Defence Force in a 5 p.m. match-up at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, while a third scheduled game involving Starworld Strikers and W. Connection has been postponed because of the unavailability of the Manny Ramjohn Stadium.
T&T PRO LEAGUE RESULTS
Monday
Starworld Strikers 2 Arima-Morvant Fire 1
South West Drillers 3 Tobago United 1
Today's top six playoff schedule:
Round 1
North East Stars v Arima-Morvant Fire, 4 p.m., Sangre Grande.
CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh v Defence Force, 5 p.m., Hasely Crawford Stadium.