DEFENCE FORCE held off a late challenge from Siparia Spurs to prevail 3-2 on Sunday, in their Match Day 27 encounter of the CNG National Super League Premiership Division.
But Andy London scored a pair for the hosts in the 87th and 89th to reduce the deficit and set up a nervy finish. However, Defence Force held firm in the dying seconds, to keep their lead in the 15-team points standings.
Guaya United stayed in second place after a similar 3-2 result over FC Santa Rosa, at the Guaya Recreation Ground in Guayaguayare.
Santa Rosa went ahead courtesy a tenth minute own goal, but Jody Allsop equalised in the 21st. Gary Bart restored Santa Rosa’s lead in the 43rd, but Guaya levelled the scores two minutes later, courtesy of Kheelon Mitchell.
Two minutes into the second half, captain/ assistant coach Ryan Stewart found the back of the net to seal full points for the hosts.
Another team to register a 3-2 win were Tobago FC Phoenix 1976, over Petrotrin Palo Seco at the Palo Seco Velodrome.
Lejandro Williams (14th and 38th) and Aqui-Raiem Raymond (87th) struck for Phoenix, while Willan Garcia (60th) and Cebastian Bailey (90th) replied for Palo Seco.
Matura ReUnited jumped from sixth to fourth after a narrow 1-0 win over Police at the Matura Recreation Ground - Dorian Robinson found the back of the net in the 65th.
Former Trinidad and Tobago Under-20 striker Juma Clarence notched a beaver-trick as Marabella Family Crisis Centre blanked La Horquetta SA 4-2 at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima. Clarence got his name on the scoresheet in the eighth, 41st, 67th and 85th minutes, while Omeaku Barbour (seventh) and Kwesi Windsor (79th) replied for La Horquetta.
Club Sando Moruga, ironically, had a similar 4-2 result over Bethel United at the Montgomery Recreation Ground.
Nigel John (22nd and 90th), Anderson Toussaint (65th) and Trevon Mitchell (78th) netted for Club Sando Moruga, while Teejay Cadiz (third and 32nd) scored for Bethel.
And, in the clash of the lowly-placed teams, Real Maracas trounced Stokely Vale 6-1 at the Maracas Recreation Ground.
Aaron Peters (26th, 41st and 52nd), Christian Thomas (33rd), Ricardo Bennett (46th) and Marvin Manswell (49th) were the goal-getters for Maracas, while Lashawn Roberts (74th) pulled one back for Stokely Vale.
Teams
Real Maracas (3-4-3): 1.Kelon Rampersad (GK); 16.Kerwyn Bartholomew (captain), 4.Marvin Manswell, 27.Kester Mejias; 20.Aaron Peters, 11.Ricardo Bennett (24.Michael Yaw Darko 81), 23.Marc Leslie, 15.Kadeem Graham; 9.Dillon Bartholomew (6.Jabari Braithwaite 72), 21.Christian Thomas (25.Isaiah Irish 78), 12.Curt Danclair.
Unused substitutes: 30.Emmanuel John (GK), 3.Anthony Frank, 19.Shirkel Diamond, 28.Kevin McLean.
Coach: Michael McComie
Stokely Vale FC (4-4-1): 28.Jeyriel Stephen (GK); 2.Jevon Williams, 4.Anthony Cooper, 3.Ken Alleyne, 29.Lashawn Roberts; 27.Kevin Thomas, 13.Omar Charles, 7.Travis Winchester (captain), 10.Krishawn Joseph; 21.Brian Hinds.
Coach: James Campbell
Referee: Sheldon Gomez
Man of the match: Ricardo Bennett (Real Maracas)
CNG National Super League League Premiership
(Sunday January 9)
Siparia Spurs 2 (Andy London 87, 89), Defence Force 3 (Michael Edwards 7, 24, Ronald St Louis 77) at Petrotrin Ground, Fyzabad;
Real Maracas FC 6 (Aaron Peters 25, 43, 53, Christian Thomas 32, Ricardo Bennett 47, Marvin Manswell 49), Stokely Vale FC 1 (Lashawn Roberts 75) at Maracas Recreation Ground;
La Horquetta SA 2 (Omeaku Barbour 7, Kwesi Windsor 79), Marabella Family CC 4 (Juma Clarence 8, 41, 67, 85) at Larry Gomes Stadium;
Guaya United 3 (Jody Allsop 21, Kheelon Mitchell 45, Ryan Stewart 47), FC Santa Rosa 2 (OG 10, Gary Bart 43) at Guaya Recreation Ground;
Matura ReUnited 1 (Dorian Robinson 65), Police FC 0 at Matura Recreation Ground;
Bethel United 2 (Teejay Cadiz 3, 32), Club Sando Moruga 4 (Nigel John 22, 90, Anderson Toussaint 65, Trevon Mitchell 78) at Montgomery Recreation Ground;
Petrotrin Palo Seco 2 (Willian Garcia 60, Cebastian Bailey 90), Tobago FC Phoenix 1976 3 (LeJandro Williams 14, 38, Aqui-Raiem Raymond 87).
Upcoming NSL fixtures
(Thursday January 14)
Club Sando Moruga v Marabella Family CC, 4 pm, Grand Chemin Recreation Ground;
Matura ReUnited v Petrotrin Palo Seco, 4 pm, Matura Recreation Ground;
FC Santa Rosa v La Horquetta SA, 5 pm, Marvin Lee Stadium;
Stokely Vale v Guaya United, 5 pm, Plymouth Recreation Ground;
WASA FC v Real Maracas FC, 5 pm, Matura Recreation Ground.
11