Devon Jorsling came on as a substitute to score the only goal of the match as Defence Force beat CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh 1-0 in round 22 of the TT Pro League on Saturday at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.
The game dominated by the ‘San Juan Kings’ changed in the second half when Defence Force coach Anthony Barrington made his super substitution in the 55th minute, introducing Jorsling.
In the 71st minute Jorsling, became the hero when he easily went past Jabloteh’s defence to stab in a Christian Baptiste cross to put his team in front. Jorsling’s goal was the first shot on target of the game for his team.
It was all Jabloteh from the start as they controlled ball possession in the midfield and confined the ‘Tetron men’ to their own half for the first period of play creating a number of scoring chances.
Jabloteh looked the better outfit by far on the night with Kerry Noray, Jason Marcano,Cyd Gray, Trent Noel and captain Kerry Baptiste all linking well together. The Jabloteh team without star midfielder Aurtis Whitley for this game, showed a lot of skill, but wasn’t able to finish and put away the Defence Force team.
The Army keeper Kevin Graham made a lot of routine stops to deny Terry Fenwick’s team—sending the Anthony Barrington coached outfit into the dressing still on even terms.
The second half started in same fashion with Noray, Marcano and Anthony Wolfe causing problems in the Defence Force penalty area.
The ‘San Juan kings’ also had their chances in the second half with Wolfe getting two close opportunities in the 57th and 65th minutes, first when he cracked a shot just wide of the upright, and his second when he headed wide.
Noray then showed off his talent when in the 71st minute he collected a ball in the 18-yard, juggled it twice holding off two defenders before turning to have a shot that wasn’t on target.
One minute later Jorsling’s goal came out of nothing, and shocked the Jabloteh team including San Juan fans who were looking forward for a win.
The goal sent the previously silent Defence Force fans to their feet cheering at their loudest.
The Jabloteh team continued to play their usual game, but Defence Force captain Anton Pierre held his men together at the back to deny any attacks.
Fenwick then rested an overworked Cyd Gray, replacing him with a more attacking option in Wendell Joseph in the 89th minute.
Time ran out for jabloteh, the game ended in favor of the jubilant Anthony Barrington coached Defence Force, leaving the League’s 2nd placed team without a point. San Juan Jabloteh are now 3 points behind League leaders Joe Public—after the ‘Eastern Lions’ battled to a goalless draw with Superstar Rangers.
Team: Defence Force
Coach: Anthony Barrington
Players: Anton Pierre, Kevin Graham, Kenrick Saunders (Dexter Pacheco), Kelshall Alexander, Kevon Carter, David Alleyne (Claude Adams), Anton Joseph, Jerwyn Balthazar (Devon Jorsling), Sean Francis,Christian Baptiste, Akil Pierre.
Team: San Juan Jabloteh
Coach: Terry Fenwick
Players: James Brian, Glenton Wolfe, Trent Noel, Kerry Baptiste (Akiel Guevara), Kerry Noray, Jason Marcano, Ian Gray, Nigel Daniel, Anthony Wolfe, Keyeno Thomas, Cyd Gray (Wendell Joseph).