The top of the bmobile National Super League table remains a three-way battle royale, with leaders Club Sando, and Guaya United and Malabar FC—second and third respectively—earning wins on Sunday to stay out front, away from the rest of the pack.
Club Sando made their goals count in a 2-1 victory over defending champions WASA FC, while Guaya withstood a late challenge from Joe Public’s Eastern Lions for a 3-2 win. Malabar, though, fell behind to FC Santa Rosa, but that was their only mistake in a 6-1 triumph.
At Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, Club Sando earned their tenth win by getting the first two goals in their encounter with WASA. Kerron Smith gave them a 1-0 halftime lead with a 44th minute item, and Anthony Parris (47th) added another just after the break to assure the advantage.
WASA’s 72nd minute strike by Kareem DeFreitas was not enough for them to share the points.
Guaya trailed their home encounter at Guaya Recreation Ground 1-0 at halftime, Stephen Johnson putting a mark on the scoresheets in the 36th minute. But three goals in 14 minutes sealed it for the hosts, with Ryan Stewart registering a strike in between Carlon Hughes’ second half double.
Arvid Applewhite struck late for Joe Public to make the match interesting, but nothing more.
Malabar disposed of fellow Arimians FC Santa Rosa at Arima Velodrome, but only after Santa Rosa’s Devon King found the net in the 17th.
But Malabar shifted gears thanks to Shandel Samuel, who found the goal in the 32nd and 34th minutes, and added another for good measure in the 63rd to complete his hat-trick.
The trio of Calvin Shepperd, Gorean Highley and Hayden Tinto each scored late to add insult to Santa Rosa’s injury.
Other results saw Defence Force hammered 8-1 by Stokely Vale at Frederick Settlement, Caroni, with only a late goal giving the Army some respite. And at Canaan Bon Accord, FC Phoenix ensured Westside Superstarz continued a downward slide with a 90th minute goal and 1-0 triumph.
Siparia Spurs traded places with Defence Force in moving one spot up to ninth by edging Real Maracas 2-1 at Palo Seco Velodrome on an 87th minute item by Derron Matthews.
The results leave no margin for error, with Club Sando (32 points) set to meet Malabar (30) this weekend. Any slip-up by those teams could give Guaya (31) a boost to the top. No one else is set to get close to the top trio, with FC Phoenix (24, fourth) on a bye in the next round.
Club Sando remain first in Super League.
T&T Newsday Reports.
CLUB SANDO remained in first place on the Blink/Bmobile National Super League standings after a 2-1 victory over reigning champions WASA FC on Sunday.
The top four teams — Sando, Guaya United, Malabar FC and 1976 FC Phoenix, all won on Sunday, on Match Day 14 action.
At the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, Sando overcame WASA with goals from Kerron Smith, in the 44th minute, and Anthony Parris in the 47th. Kareem DeFreitas got the consolation strike for the second-from-bottom WASA, in the 72nd.
Guaya got a double from Carlon Hughes to get past Joe Public 3-2 at the Guayaguayare Recreation Ground.
Joe Public went ahead courtesy of Stephen Johnson in the 36th minute before Guaya hit back with a Hughes’ pair (50th and 64th) and one from veteran Ryan Stewart (58th). Arvid Applewhite (84th) trimmed the deficit to 3-2 but it was a little too late for Joe Public.
Malabar benefitted from a hat-trick from ex-St Vincent/Grenadines striker Shandel Samuel to trounce last-placed FC Santa Rosa 6-1 at the Arima Municipal Stadium.
After Devon King gave Santa Rosa a 17th minute lead, Malabar replied in emphatic fashion, with Samuel scoring his treble in the 32nd, 34th and 63rd minutes, followed by items from Calvin Shepperd (76th), Gorean Highley (81st) and former national midfielder Hayden Tinto (90th).
There was also a 90th minute strike, but this one proved vital as Christopher Morgan found the back of the net to give Phoenix a 1-0 win over Westside Superstarzs FC at Canaan, Bon Accord.
The most one-sided result occurred at Frederick Settlement in Caroni as Stokely Vale humiliated Defence Force 8-1.
Krishawn Joseph registered a hat-trick (43rd, 55th and 84th), with two apiece from Dominic McDougall (15th and 23rd) and Trevonne James (29th and 82nd). Jamaine Walters (65th) was the other goal-getter for Stokely Vale, while Kenric Cupidore (87th) got the lone response for the Defence Force.
And, at the Palo Seco Recreational Ground, Siparia Spurs rallied from a goal down to blank Real Maracas 2-1.
Aaron Peters put Maracas in front after 54 minutes before Siparia fought back with goals from Daniel Garcia (65th) and Derron Matthews (87th).
Games on Match Day 15 will be contested on November 3.
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