Hayden Tinto scored on his return from a two-match ban as bmobile Joe Public blanked Tobago United 3-0 in their Digicel Pro League encounter at the Plymouth Recreation Ground, Tobago, yesterday.
With the win, the “Eastern Lions” moved to the top of the standings with 28 points from 14 matches, the same as Caledonia AIA of Morvant/Laventille but with a superior goal-difference of plus 17. Third is two-time defending champion Clico San Juan Jabloteh with 26 points and two matches in hand while Ma Pau is next with 23 points and Defence Force, fifth with 20.
The nippy Tinto, who returned to action after serving the suspension for his part in a July 4 brawl with United Petrotrin, opened the scoring in the 34th minute while Kerry Baptiste made it 2-0 with his 20th league goal of the season in the 57th minute before Conrad Smith sealed the win, six minutes from full-time. On Friday night, at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya, Caledonia minus Soca Warriors coach Russell Latapy on their roster for the night, had its three-match winning streak halted.
The “Stallions” as Caledonia are called, failed to extend their lead at the top after being upstaged by Defence Force, 3-2. Caledonia took a 12th minute lead when midfielder Kerry Daniel volleyed home a right-sided cross past goalkeeper Kevin Graham. However, the “Teteron Boys’ who had barely threatened Caledonia’s goal during the first 30 minutes turned the match on its head with three goals within the space of five minutes. First burly striker, Devon Jorsling connected with a pinpoint right-sided Sean Narcis cross to poke home the ball past goalkeeper Dwayne Sandy in the 35th minute to level the score at 1-1.
Three minutes later, the “Teteron Boys” went ahead when speedy striker Kevon Carter raced down the vacant left flank, cut inside and eluded two defenders before blasting into the far corner. Two minutes later, the combination of Narcis and Jorsling hooked up with great effect again for Defence Force to lead 3-1 as the latter, beat Sandy on his first post with a clever finish off his weaker right foot.
But, a minute before the interval, Caledonia midfielder, Densill Theobold capitalised on some sloppy defending by Defence Force with a neat left-footed finish past Graham into the top corner. The second-half failed to live up to expectations and despite Caledonia coach introducing former national player Kerwin “Hardest” Jemmott, Defence Force held on for the win to extend their unbeaten streak to seven matches and strengthened their claim for a Lucozade Sport “Big Six” spot.
Results
Joe Public 3 (Hayden Tinto 34th, Kerry Baptiste 57th, Conrad Smith 84th) vs Tobago 0.
Petrotrin 2 (Arnold Dwarika 16th pen, Stephan Campbell 25th) vs South End 2 (Anthony Rougier 13th, Kelvin Hernandez 65th)