A late error by 2006 World Cup defender Brent Sancho cost North East Stars a point yesterday as they fell 1-0 to Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA in T&T Pro League action at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.
Caledonia defender Sheldon Emmanuel rattled a free kick off the bar in the 38th minute but it was a rare highlight in a match that was played at a leisurely pace. Ironically, Stars seemed more likely to snatch the three points as Colombian substitute Milton Espitia, who was introduced in the 79th minute, made an immediate impact with two blistering strikes that were fended away by Caledonia goalkeeper Michael Woods.
Woods also made a brilliant intervention to deny Randolph Jerome as the Guyanese marksman looked to profit from a loose ball in the Caledonia area.
But, just when a draw seemed imminent, disaster struck as Sancho was caught in possession on top his own penalty area and the giant defender was hustled off the ball by the diminutive pair of Kendall Velox and Tinto.
In his defence, the dreadlocked player had not put a foot wrong beforehand and his composure and efficient distribution throughout might have encouraged unreal expectations from his teammates in the first place.
Sancho seemed to suggest that Stars goalkeeper Andrew Durant played him in trouble, although he might have helped his own cause with an early clearance.
Stars owner Darryl Mahabir might chalk it down to a learning experience as his new star signing gets bedded into the squad. But his patience is famously thin.
Jabloteh, W Connection win again.
By: Gregory Trujillo (Guardian).
The ding-dong tussle for honours in the T&T Professional Football League between defending champion Clico San Juan Jabloteh and archrival WConnection hightened yesterday with both sides being victorious.
A goal by national striker Cornell Glen was sufficient for Jabloteh to scrape past a determined Tobago United 1-0 at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo.
W Connection, on the other hand, answered a spirited challenge by St Ann’s Rangers to come away a clever 6-2 winner at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
Glen’s lone goal against the Tobagonians gave Jabloteh the vital three points needed to climb to 55 from 24 matches. He met a left-side cross on the penalty box to head past goalkeeper Richard Reynold into the far corner.
After cruising into a commanding 4-0 lead over Rangers, the “Savonetta Boys”conceded two goals but added two more within a six-minute period to stay within four points of Jabloteh with a match in hand.
Andre Toussaint (18th and 39th) and Hughtun Hector (55th and 82nd) both scored doubles for W Connection with the other goals coming from Gerrard Williams (33rd) and Jonathan Frias (87th).
Devon Modeste netted for Rangers in the 70th and Joseph Peters in the 80th.
North East Stars (fourth) missed out on a clear chance to move further away from Rangers (fifth) in a bid to secure a spot in the Big Six, going under to Neal and Massy Caledonia AIA (third) by a 1-0 margin. The difference between the two teams was the goal in the 87th minute by striker Hayden Tinto.
Yesterday’s results:
SAN JUAN JABLOTEH 1 (Cornell Glen 60th) v TOBAGO UTD 0.
W CONNECTION 6 (Andre Toussaint 18th, 39th; Hughtun Hector 55th, 82nd; Gerrard Williams 33rd; Jonathan Frias 87th) v ST ANN’S RANGERS 2 (Devon Modeste 70th; Joseph Peters 81st).
NORTH EAST STARS 0 v CALEDONIA AIA 1 (Hayden Tinto 87th).
Video courtesy ttproleague. Jabloteh v Tobago Utd