Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA made certain of their Lucozade Big Six berth yesterday evening with a 1-0 win over St Ann's Rangers in the T&T Pro League at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.
Rangers face Petrotrin tomorrow at the Palo Seco Recreational Ground to decide who will join CLICO San Juan Jabloteh, W. Connection, bmobile Joe Public, Caledonia and Stars in the post-season tournament.
On Tuesday, Rangers thrashed Jabloteh 3-0 to leapfrog Petrotrin into sixth place but they were not nearly as sharp yesterday evening.
Rangers forward Keyon Edwards had three decent looks at the opposing goal in the first half hour but twice failed to hit the target while, when he did get his effort between the uprights, Caledonia custodian Michael Woods was ready for the challenge.
Caledonia were anonymous up front, where veteran Kendall Velox looked leg weary and Hayden Tinto was ineffective. Yet, it was the "Eastern Stallions" who went into the break ahead as winger Kareem "Tiny" Joseph sprung the Rangers offside trap in the 34th minute and skipped around goalkeeper Shane Mattis to tap home from a tight angle.
Twice, in the second period, Caledonia and Guyana central defender Charles Pollard kept Rangers at bay as he blocked an effort from Edwards on the goal line and then hooked clear after an unconvincing save by Woods to deny substitute Devon Modeste.
But Rangers' real problem lay in central midfield where Grenadian playmaker Ricky Charles failed to assert himself against the pairing of Stephan David and Akim Armstrong.
There was an odd moment too when Rangers sweeper Joseph "Gouti" Peters walked off the field, offered a word to his technical staff and headed to the bathrooms.
Rangers soldiered on with ten players for another ten minutes before coach Anthony Streete replaced his key utility player with attacker Abiola Clarence. Rangers need a return to winning ways tomorrow or risk their season going down the toilet.
Yesterday's Results
Tobago United 0 v W Connection 2
Caledonia AIA 1 v St Ann’s Rangers 0
North East Stars 1 v United Petrotrin 1
Ma Pau SC 0 v San Juan Jabloteh 2
Joe Public 5 v Defence Force 0