Former England based defender Dennis Lawrence had a perfect start for San Juan Jabloteh on Saturday night in his team's 2-0 win over rivals Caledonia AIA of Morvant Laventille.
Lester Peltier's first half double cushioned Jabloteh while former Swansea City and Crewe Alexandra defender Lawrence kept things tight at the back against Caledonia's numerous attacks.
Jabloteh victory pumped the two-time defending League champions from fourth into second position with 32 points after Round Two Match Day Eight.
Woodbrook based club Ma Pau SC are ahead of Jabloteh by one point at the top after jumping two spots from third following a 2-0 win over tenth positioned FC South End to be the new leaders.
St Vincent and the Grenadines international Shandel Samuel netted both goals in the second half (57th and 77th minutes) for the Michael McComie coached side.
Bmobile Joe Public, previously second and on a bye over the weekend dropped into third position with its 31 points while Caledonia slipped from top position to fourth with their 31 points following Saturday night's 2-0 defeat in the second match of a double header at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.
In the earlier match Police FC crumbled in the second half to concede five goals against Defence Force in a 5-1 score.
Police had the opening item in the 48th minute through Kenwyn Matthews however 2008 Golden Boot winner Devon Jorsling led the way for Army's comback with a hattrick, netting in the 56th, 62th and 85th minutes. Kevon Carter stuck in the third item in the 70th minute and Kerry Joseph wrapped it up in the 87th minute.
Aurtis Whitley was another hattrick goalscorer on Saturday leading seventh positioned United Petrotrin to a 4-1 win over eight positioned St Ann's Rangers at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
Whitley gave the Oilmen an early cushion netting in the 8th and 25th minutes before Rangers' Coneal Thomas pulled a goal back in the 27th minute for a 2-1 half time score. Whitley returned his team's two goals advantage in the 74th minute completing his hattrick and Brazilian Luis Lima made it 4-1 four minutes from time.
In the feature match where Caledonia AIA had a chance to pull away at the top, Lester Peltier's double got in their way.
Peltier netted in the 18th and 44th minutes giving the Earl Jean coached side a 2-0 cushion at the break.
That score didn't change despite end to end action in the second period.
Inside the second period Caledonia coach Jamaal Shabazz introduced midfielders Keon Daniel and Kerwin Jemmott to add creativity.
Jabloteh was close to adding another when Marcano let off a decent effort just high and wide of the upright after turning with Ataullah Guerra's right side cross in the 56th minute.
Two minutes later Caledonia's Keyon Edwards headed attempt was scrambled wide and out for a corner by goalkeeper Cleon John off Kerry Daniel cross from the left.
In the 66th minute from a Caledonia freekick by Keon Daniel at a tight angle pulled out a brilliant blockout by Cleon John.
And three minutes later Daniel was just wide by a couple feet whipping a half volley past the Jabloteh net.
Jabloteh continued to survive Caledonia attacks with Karlon Murray and new-man Dennis Lawrence at the back and thanks to the Morvant Laventille squad failure to finish their chances.
Keyon Edwards later hooked an effort inches wide of Jabloteh's far post in the 79th minute as they struggled to find the back of the net after doing all the impressive work from midfield.
Jabloteh came close to closing off the match with another goal in the 90th minute when Ataullah Guerra muscled his way past the Caledonia defence after a neat string of passes between himself and Lester Peltier only to hook a falling shot inches high.
Round Two Match Day Eight results
Ma Pau SC 2-0 FC South End
Shandel Samuel 57', 77'
Police FC 1-5 Defence Force
Kenwyn Matthews 48' ; Devon Jorsling 56', 62', 85', Kevon Carter 70', Kerry Joseph 87'
San Juan Jabloteh 2-0 Caledonia AIA
Lester Peltier 18', 44'
St Ann's Rangers 1-4 United Petrotrin
Coneal Thomas 27' ; Aurtis Whitley 8', 25', 74', Luis Lima 86'