Devon Jorsling (61) and Jerwyn Balthazar (65) second half goals propelled Defence Force to victory over W Connection at the Larry Gomes Stadium on Saturday as action continues in the Round One Match Day Two in the Digicel Pro League.
Recent T&T call-up striker Matthew Bartholomew reduced the deficit for W Connection when he pulled one back in the 67th minute. But Defence Force held on to win the game and remain on top of the league standings.
In Friday's double header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium both Ma Pau and defending champions Joe Public remain winless as both teams came away with 0-0 and 1-1 ties respectively.
It was San Juan Jabloteh that drew first blood when Ataullah Guerra netted an 18th minute item, inform striker Kerry Baptiste got the equaliser for the Eastern Lions in the 43rd. Both teams meet again on Wednesday at the Marvin Lee Stadium this time however more is at stake as they get set to open their 2010 CFU Club Champions Cup qualifiers.
One of the league's top 2010 spender in the transfer market Ma Pau SC and St Ann's Rangers were deadlock at 0-0 as Rangers are finally off the mark.
In other matches played on Saturday, FC SouthEnd registered their first win in the league when Joshua Bachan (26) and Wendell Rennie (70) scored a goal apiece in each half as the Southerns' came away 2-0 winners over visitors Tobago United at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.
Police FC also picked up their first points in the league as they drew 2-2 with DIREC-TV North East Stars also at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium. Talented midfielder Jason Devenish opened his account in the 28th minute, Police FC replied in the 56th through Todd Ryan then North East Stars got the go ahead goal in the 64h minute through one of the league's top goal scorer Errol McFarlane.
However, North East Stars falied to hold on as Police FC's Kyle Andrews spoilt the party for the Sangre Grande-based club with a 75th minute goal.
Results for 30-Apr-10
30:04:10, 6:00pm, Ma Pau SC 0 v St Ann's Rangers 0, Hasely Crawford Stadium
30:04:10, 8:00pm, Joe Public 1 (Kerry Baptiste 43) v San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Ataullah Guerra 18), Hasely Crawford Stadium
Results for 01-May-10
01:05:10, 4:00pm, Defence Force 2 (Devon Jorsling 61, Jerwyn Balthazar 65) v W Connection 1 (Matthew Bartholomew 67), Larry Gomes Stadium
01:05:10, 5:00pm, FC SouthEnd 2 (Joshua Bachan 26, Wendell Rennie 70) v Tobago United 0, Mannie Ramjohn Stadium
01:05:10, 7:00pm, Police FC 2 (Todd Ryan 56, Kyle Andrews 75) v North East Stars 2 (Jason Devenish 28, Errol McFarlane 64), Mannie Ramjohn Stadium
01:05:10, Caledonia AIA - BYE
Team Line-Ups
Defence Force v W Connection
Defence Force--Kevin Graham, Corey Rivers, Keston Williams, Devin Jordon (Anton Joseph 64th), Devon Jorsling, Kevon Carter, Jerwyn Balthazar (Owen Matthews 89th), Sean Narcis (Rodell Elcock 85th), Dexter Pacheco, Aklie Edwards, Richard Roy
Coach--Ross Russell
W Connection--Jan-Michael Williams, Elijah Joseph (capt), Joevin Jones, Keron Cummings (Christian Viveros 61st), Matthew Bartholomew, Eder Gilmar Arias, Clyde Leon, Nickcolson Thomas, Andrei Pacheco (Zaine Pierre 70th), Shahdon Winchester (Francisco Neto 68th), Hughtun Hector
Coach--Stuart Charles Fevrier
St Ann's Rangers v Ma Pau SC
St Ann's Rangers--Daurance Williams, Devon Modeste (capt), Elijah Belgrave, Javon Wilson, Kwame Wiltshire (Beville Joseph 62nd), Josimar Belgrave, Nicholas Valentine (Y+Y=R), Odelle Armstrong (Kaashiff Thomas 66th), Joseph Peters, Adrian Narine (Shem McFarlane 83rd), Akil Clarke
Coach--Anthony Streete
Ma Pau SC--Alejandro Figueroa Keyeno Thomas (capt) (Y+Y=R), Corneal Thomas (Kevin Molino 46th), Lester Peltier, Rennie Britto (Mikeil Williams 85th), Lyndon Andrews, Anthony Wolfe, Curtis Gonzales, Seon Power, Trevin Caesar, Cyd Gray (Kerry Noray 46th)
Coach--Michael McComie
San Juan Jabloteh v Joe Public
San Juan Jabloteh--Cleon John, Marvin Oliver (capt), Elijah Manners, Ataullah Guerra (Yellow) (Noel Williams 89th), Robert Primus, Jason Marcano, Johan Peltier (Ronaldo Vianna 74th), Kennedy Hinkson (Anton Hutchinson 81st), Joel Russell, Jamal Jack, Christon Thomas
Coach--Terry Fenwick
Joe Public--Marvin Phillip, Kerry Baptiste (capt) (Conrad Smith 79th), Carlyle Mitchell, Radanfah Abu Bakr, Makan Hislop, Nigel Daniel (Y), Trent Noel, Yu Hoshide, Andre Toussaint (Kareem Young 46th), Gorean Highley (Micah Lewis 56th), Hayden Tinto
Coach--Derek King
Defence Force stay atop Pro League.
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday).
Defence Force took pole position atop the Digicel Pro League standings after blanking W Connection 2-1 in a Round One Match Day Two encounter at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.
Devon Jorsling and Jerwyn Balthazar were the goal-getters for Defence Force in Saturday’s game, scoring in the 61st and 65th minutes respectively, while Matthew Bartholomew pulled one back for Connection in the 67th.
Defence Force has six points from two games, while North East Stars is next with four points — they were held to a 2-2 draw by Police in the second game of a double-header at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.
FC South End registered their first win of the season, getting past Tobago United 2-0 in the first of back-to-back games at Marabella. Joshua Bachan (25th) and Wendell Rennie (70th) got their names on the score-sheet for the winners.
SouthEnd is coached by Dick Furlonge, one of the many top footballers from the Borough of Point Fortin to don the national colours.
In fact Furlonge, who also played for Dallas Tornado in the United States, was part of the 1960s era of schools football, at St Benedict’s College in San Fernando — a team which also featured star players Warren Archibald, Steve David, Wilfred Cave, Jan Steadman, Bobby Sookram and Leroy De Leon (who he replaced as South End coach).
Ironically, he was the coach of Grenada who defeated Trinidad and Tobago (under current Ma Pau coach Michael McComie) 3-2 in a CONCACAF Under-23 qualifier in 2007 and his last major coaching role was back at his alma mater in the 2009 Secondary Schools League.
North East Stars, in Saturday’s late game, could have remained in first place but they had to share the spoils against a Police team who looked distinctly better than the squad who were spanked 3-0 by Defence Force a week earlier.
In fact Police had the first effort on goal when midfielder Keron Clarke’s powerfully-struck left-footer hit the side netting of Michael Woods’ goal.
But Jason Devenish, the only North East Stars’ starting member under the age of 25, put his team ahead in the 27th with a neatly-placed shot past the left of goalkeeper Adisa Noel after a quickly-taken freekick, on the left flank, by North East’s captain Leslie Fitzpatrick.
North East, featuring an array of past national players — Fitzpatrick, Arnold Dwarika, Glenton Wolfe, Errol McFarlane and player/CEO Brent Sancho, dictated terms but created few chances, which came back to haunt them in the 55th.
Dwarika allowed too much space to Keston Pierre whose cross, from the right, was met by Todd Ryan, and the veteran utility player turned on his marker Charles Pollard (one of seven starters over the age of 30), and drill his right-footer past the outstretched right hand of Woods.
Out of the blue, North East went back ahead through McFarlane, who registered his third goal of the season (joint top with Jorsling) in the 63rd.
A play which was disjointed ended when Sancho sent a ball down the right to Jamaican forward Sean Fraser and his cross was wonderfully volleyed home by McFarlane.
Police showed good resilience to tie the scores in the 75th, when Kyle Andrews rose to head Akeem Marshall’s corner to the bottom right-hand corner, and the defender showed his delight by embracing his coach Anthony Marshall in response.
The lawmen finished last in the 2009 season but they showed good heart in withstanding the experienced but aging North East outfit, whose American coach Rod Underwood brought on Gary Glasgow, Akeil Guevara and Randolph Jerome (all back at the Sangre Grande-based club) in pursuit of the winner.
Instead Police was presented with the chance of full points in stoppage time, when a tame back-pass from Pollard to Woods was cleared out but, in the process, Woods fouled the lurking striker Keon Quow in the penalty box.
Assistant referee Cordero Gould signalled to referee Neal Brizan after the infringement and, with the penalty awarded, Ryan rolled his spotkick wide of Woods’ right post.
In related news, due to the participation of Joe Public and San Juan Jabloteh at the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship Final Round, here in Trinidad from May 5-9, League action will resume on May 14.
Balthazar fires ‘Teteron Boys’ past W Connection.
By: Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian).
Jerwyn ‘Bally’ Balthazar fired Defence Force into sole possession of the top spot in the Digicel T&T Pro League after a narrow 2–1 win over W Connection at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar on Saturday.
With the win, the “Teteron Boys” improved to a maximum six points after two matches, two ahead of North East Stars, while Caledonia AIA, W Connection and FC SouthEnd have three points each.
Defending champions, bmobile Joe Public and Ma Pau SC each have two points, followed by San Juan Jabloteh and St Ann’s Rangers with one apiece and pointless, Tobago United.
At Malabar, after a 0–0 first 45 minutes, striker Devon Jorsling put Defence Force into the lead with a left-footed blast from some distance that gave goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams little chance in the 61st minute.
It was Jorsling’s third goal in two matches to start the season. Four minutes later, Balthazar showed some neat skill to beat Williams and double the advantage for the Ross Russell-coached “Teteron Boys”.
But within two minutes, W Connection were back in the contest when Matthew Bartholomew looped a shot over goalkeeper Kevin Graham for a 2–1 deficit.
With Defence Force duo Williams and Edwards looking for an offside call, Bartholomew latched onto a through ball, before he smartly flicked the ball over an on rushing goalkeeper Graham, and into the net.
At the other end of the field, the confident Defence Force trio of Jorsling, Kevon Carter and Richard “Shaka” Roy also kept the “Savonetta Boys’ defenders busy, but failed to add to their team’s tally, which in the end proved enough to move them to the top of the table.
Down south at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, FC SouthEnd got a goal on either side of the interval from Joshua Bachan and Wendell Rennie in a 2–0 win over Tobago United in the first match of a double-header.
Bachan opened the scoring in the 26th minute and Rennie sealed the three points with a 70th minute item. Kyle Andrews denied North East Stars a share of top spot on the table as his 75th minute goal earned Police a 2–2 draw.
Jason Devenish had given Stars a 1–0 in after the 28th minute, which it carried into the break.
On the resumption, the “Lawmen” drew level thanks to Todd Ryan’s 56th minute effort, but Errol Mc Farlane Jr then restored Stars lead with his third goal of the campaign in the 64th minute only for Andrews, playing in his first match, to get a deserved draw for Police in the 75th minute.
On Friday, Joe Public and Jabloteh drew 1–1 while Ma Pau and Rangers played to a 0–0 score-line.
League matches now take a two week break until May 14 due to T&T’s hosting of the Caribbean Football Union Club Championships Final Round Series from Wednesday until Sunday at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya.
Now Public held by Jabloteh.
Defending League champion, bmobile Joe Public was held to yet another 1-1 draw in the T&T Pro Football League, this time by Clico San Juan Jabloteh in the second match of a double-header on Friday night at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
Unlike the opening encounter where Public took the lead against Ma Pau, this time it was the San Juan Kings which went ahead midway through the first half from an Ataullah Guerra item. However, last year’s MVP and top goalscorer Kerry Baptiste found the equaliser in the 43rd minute for the teams to go into the interval level.
Baptiste now has two goals in two matches after scoring against Ma Pau last Friday. After two rounds, Public lies fifth in the standings, while Jabloteh is seventh after going down to W Connection 1-0 in its opener.
“I felt we performed very well,” said Jabloteh coach, Englishman Terry Fenwick. “We played some excellent attacking football and Guerra, captain Marvin Oliver and Elijah Manners were excellent on the night. Joe Public concentrated on the long balls and I thought we had the better chances.”
Jabloteh will be meeting Joe Public for a second time in six days on Wednesday in the CFU Champions League final qualifying round. The match will be played at Marvin Lee Lee Stadium. Kick off is 8 pm.
In the opening match, Ma Pau SC and St Ann’s Rangers played to a 0-0 draw. Like Public, the “Casion Boys” has now had two draws from its two matches this season.
Police get robbed, as Stars steal a draw.
North East Stars Press Release.
A 90th minute penalty miss by Police FC cost them the chance to snatch all 3 points, which DIRECTV North East Stars will feel belonged to them.
The game at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella started of slowly, with the first real chance coming in the 14th minute when a Police FC striker shot into the side netting.
This seemed to have woke up the North East players, as in the next minute a passing move started by central defender Brent Sancho saw some quality touch and pass play from wingback Carey Harris and striker Errol McFarlane only to see midfielder Jason Devenish's shot deflected for a corner.
From the corner, the referee was inundated by Stars players appealing for handball, but he only awarded a further corner. Police tried to counter the attacking play of North East and in the 18th minute a powerful Police strike floored central defender Charles Pollard.
There then followed a 10 minute period of North East pressure. First, Jamaican striker, Sean Fraser shot high over the bar.
Wingback Glenton Wolfe fouled the Police No 24 on the edge of the Stars penalty box, resulting in him being stretched off. From the free kick, Police dished out some Police brutality of their own when their No 11 fouled Jason Devenish as the Stars counter attacked.
Devenish was one on one with the No 11, but was fouled just inside the Stars half. The fortunate defender received a yellow card, because, presumably, even though he was the last defender, and denied Devenish a one on one versus Police keeper Adisa Noel, the foul took place outside of the Police half of the pitch.
The Stars continued to pressure and Fraser was upended in the 28th minute. Then, Devenish found himself with some space inside the Police penalty area and fired a low hard drive in the far corner to put N/E Stars into the lead.
Devenish was again in the centre of things three minutes later when the referee awarded him a very dubious yellow card for a foul.
With the No 24 unable to recover from his injury, Police were forced to make a substitution, bringing on No24. The Police heavy handedness continued when No13 fouled Fraser off the ball and received a yellow card.
As usual, Fraser and McFarlane were proving a handful for defenders, but then in the 35th minute, The Stars were forced into some physical play of their own with Sancho fouling on the edge of North East area. The Police came close with a shot over the bar, but it was North East who finished strongest.
First, Fraser made a great run setting up McFarlane, who shot wide. Then Fraser made another good run down the right wing, but the move only resulted in a corner.
Police began the 2nd half with a couple of smash and grab attacks. The first was a shot wide of the post from a long throw, a Police weapon that caused problems for the Stars defence throughout the game. The second was an exciting fast break, but a poor cross only resulted in a goal kick.
Both teams struggled for control, and it was apparent that the next goal would be important. The Stars midfielder, Arnold Dwarika, sent a superb pass to Devenish leaving only the keeper to beat, but the North East midfielder shot wide.
In the 55th minute Police headed wide and it seemed that it was only a matter of time before one of the teams scored. The following minute, Police made the breakthrough with their No 21 (Todd Ryan) sending a quality low drive into the bottom corner.
Immediately, North East stepped up their game. First, the ever running Fraser nearly snuck through the Police defence and then Man of the Match, Marc Leslie saw his sizzling 30 yard drive clear the Police crossbar.
Although Police tried to counter, with a shot sailing wide of Stars upright, North East were now playing fluid team football. In the 61st minute, a 13 pass Brazilianesque move saw Fraser cross to McFarlane to put Stars back in front.
Now North East were finding their rhythm, with Leslie Fitzpatrick and Marc Leslie making penetrating runs. Four minutes later, Leslie was again hunting for goals, this time shooting wide, then Fitzpatrick, from 22 yards out, sent an audacious lob over the stranded keeper, but unfortunately, the ball went just wide.
The game again became end to end. A great save by Stars goalkeeper Michael Woods from No30 could only delay an equaliser, for in the next minute the Police no5 (Kyle Andrews) scored from a header.
North East immediately responded with an attack down the right from Fraser, but his cross bounced awkwardly for substitute Glasgow, who failed to connect. In the 77th minute Sancho was booked for dissent after being judged to foul a Police striker.
Glasgow began to make his presence felt and shot wide and at the other end, goalkeeper Woods was alert to a Police counter and rushed out of his box to kick clear.
The introduction of Randolph Jerome by the Stars saw him booked within 5 minutes for diving, and it appeared that neither side would take the 3 points.
Then, in the 90th minute, after the ball was cleared from an innocuous Police attack, keeper Woods appeared to stamp on the leg of Police striker (Keon Quow).
It was not apparent if the referee saw the incident, but with the Police striker down in the Stars 18 yard box, he awarded a penalty.
The fortunate Woods received a yellow card and the chance to redeem himself. Luckily for Woods, after an extended delay, caused by arguments over the positioning of the ball on the penalty spot, Police FC's Todd Ryan shot wide.
This proved to be the final kick of the game as the referee blew for full time. Although the Police could feel disappointed in missing out on a last minute victory, to the neutral onlooker, a draw would be received as a fair result.
Although North East passing play showed their class, Police battled bravely and refused to give up.
North East Stars - Michael Woods (Yellow), Brent Sancho (Yellow), Leslie Fitzpatrick, Marc Leslie, Arnold Dwarika (Gary Glasgow 61st), Jason Devenish (Yellow) (Akeil Guevera 70th), Sean Fraser (Randolph Jerome 85th) (Yellow), Charles Pollard, Carey Harris, Glenton Wolfe, Errol McFarlane.