Cunupia FC inched closer to lifting the T&T Football Association National Super League Championship Division title after earning hard fought 3-2 win over Central 500 Spartans at Hugo Francis Recreation Ground, Chaguanas, on Saturday night.
With the win, Cunupia FC ended its campaign with 29 points from 15 matches, six ahead of the University of T&T and Spartans while Saddle Hill Hotspur has 22 points.
However, UTT is the only team which can deny Cunupia FC the title and promotion to the Premier Division as it has two matches remaining and can match its rivals points tally and improve its goal-difference as well while Spartans has one match and Hotspur two, but the latter can only reach 28 points.
On Saturday, Michael Yaw Darko opened the scoring for Cunupia in the clash of Central Football Association clubs in the 23rd minute, but nine minutes later, Donavon Derrick equalized for Spartans.
Four minutes before the half-time whistle, former national youth team stand-out, Gorean Highley regained the lead for Cunupia FC to lead 2-1 at the break, and nine minutes into the second-half, Stevon Stoute extended the advantage to 3-1.
Spartans managed to climb back to within one goal in the 68th minute courtesy a strike from Keith Williams, but Cunupia FC managed to hold on for the valuable three points, to put one hand on the title.
Cunupia’s path to the title was made easier last week when it elevated to the top of the table following the decision by Carenage United to withdraw from the competition.
In a release from the NSL Tournament Committee it was stated that: Carenage UInited had officially withdrawn from the competition and as such in fairness to the other participating clubs the NSL made the decision to nullify the results of all Carenage’s games played or not played in Round Two.
The NSL also awarded T&T Prison Service FCthree points and three goals for a match against Youth Stars which was not played last week.
Also on Saturday, Youth Stars got a pair of goals from Hakeem Legall to carry his league leading tally to 15 in a 4-2 defeat of Barrackpore United SC.
TTFA NSL Results:
Youth Stars 4 (Hakeem Legall 40th, 77th, Keno Proctor 36th, Ackeel Sterling 90th ) vs Barrackpore United SC 2 (Mikheil Peters 57th, Renaldo Jack 90th)
Cunupia FC 3 (Michael Yaw Darko 23rd, Gorean Highley 41st, Stevon Stoute 54th) vs Central 500 Spartans 2 (Donavon Derrick 32nd, Keith Williams 68th)
Sunday November 20 Premier Division:
Petrotrin Palo Seco 2 (Angus John 79th, Tigana Sparks 90th) vs 1976 FC Phoenix 2 (Nigel Thomas 12th, Lejandro Williams 35th)
Guaya United 7 (Carlon Hughes 23rd, 25th, 47th, Shaquille Ferrier 22nd, Kevin Jagdeosingh 33rd, Kendes Garcia 49th, Jody Allsop 81st) vs Police FC 0
Club Sando Moruga 3 (Nigel John 11th, David Neptune 68th, Jesse Edwards 79th) vs Real Maracas 2 (Kheelon Mitchell 27th, Kevin Jeffery 90th)
Defence Force 4 (Ronald St Louis 23rd, Akil Morris 23rd, 40th, Keston Williams 44th) Bethel United 0 , Mt Gomery Rec. Grd, 6pm
FC Santa Rosa 3 (Durwin Ross 27th, Rashad Griffith 56th, Keron Clarke 67th) vs Siparia Spurs 0
WASA FC 2 (Dwight Crichlow 72nd, Glen Walker 90th) vs QPCC 0
Matura Re United 3 (Dorian Robinson 7th, Kitwana Abosi 19th, Brendon Figuera 82nd) vs Marabella Family CC 1 (Juma Clarence 60th)
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