Defending champions Joe Public (JP) took the opportunity to cut into Defence Force's lead when they edged a very competitive FC SouthEnd United 2-1 on Saturday night, to move back to second position in the Digicel Pro League football competition.
Joe Public (25 pts) are now just six points adrift of leaders Defence Force, who were defeated 1-0 by Ma Pau on Friday night. Caledonia AIA (24 pts) are third and Ma Pau (23 pts) fourth.
On Saturday South team FC SouthEnd shocked home team Joe Public at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya, when they took a third minute lead through Oswin Williams.
The rasta-haired striker benefitted from a mix-up between defender Kareem Moses and young "Eastern Lions" keeper Andre Marchan. Panicking, the Trinidad and Tobago national Under-20 team reserve keeper ended up pushing the ball onto the onrushing striker, and into the goal the ball went.
And the South team could have extended the lead when winger Dexter Alleyne intercepted the ball in the Joe Public penalty area, but he struck poorly and straight at keeper Marchan. What a chance wasted.
Joe Public responded with sustained attack. Twice in quick succession striker Andre Toussaint skimmed low shots wide around the quarter hour mark.
The other striker Kerry Baptiste also cleared the crossbar when shooting from the edge of the penalty area. Finally, Trent Noel (44th) pulled the home team level on the stroke of half-time with a low finish after teammates Hayden Tinto and later Marvin Manswell combined to get him the ball.
Joe Public remained pressing in the second half, but left the door open for the counter attack. And Adi Constant should have sunk them when the ball rolled across the penalty area and found him free at the back post.
Sensing glory, Constant swung wildly and missed the entire ball. The National Under-20 footballers of T&T were looking on in the stands and obviously supporting the underdogs. And they were all holding their heads when Wesley John slid in on a cross-ball and shoveled the ball over the Joe Public goal.
It was a chance South End would rue missing because in the 67th, Joe Public took a 2-1 lead, Hayden Tinto's dribbling run into the six-metre box setting up Kareem Young, who scored from point blank range. Keeper Aquelius Sylvester had no chance to make a save from so close.
Later, SouthEnd lost John with 10 minutes to go, the midfielder picking up a second yellow card. But even so, the Anthony Rougier-coached team had chances to pull level but produced atrocious finishing.
Joe Public could even afford to have another Young shot come off the crossbar, because of the misfiring South team.
Saturday’s Results
Joe Public 2—1 FC SouthEnd
Trent Noel 44’, Kareem Young 67’ ; Oswin Williams 3’
North East Stars 1—2 Caledonia AIA
Anthony Wolfe 85’ ; Akim Armstrong 24’, Kareem Joseph 83’
Today:
W Connection vs St Anns Rangers, Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, 6 pm
Current Pro League Standings
Teams P W D L F A Pts
D/Force 13 10 1 2 28 11 31
Joe Public 13 7 4 2 22 16 25
Caledonia 13 7 3 3 21 12 24
Ma Pau 13 6 5 2 17 9 23
W Connection 12 5 4 3 17 9 19
Jabloteh 13 5 4 4 18 10 19
NE Stars 13 5 4 4 23 19 19
Rangers 12 2 3 7 11 23 9
Police 13 1 2 10 14 42 5
South End 13 1 0 12 9 29 3