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Caledonia AIA stormed into third place in the Digicel Pro League last with a 6-1 rout of St Ann’s Rangers at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva after another rough evening for the clubs at the top half of the table.
Keyon Edwards scored for the second successive weekend for the “Eastern Stallions” and this time it was a hattrick as the Morvant/Laventille-based team continued its recovery after an abysmal start to the season.
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In the second match at Couva yesterday, veteran San Juan Jabloteh striker Kerry Baptiste took his League tally to seven goals from five outings with a double as Jabloteh surprised second placed Point Fortin Civic 3-1.
And, at the Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya, defending champions Defence Force edged Police 2-1 while Central FC slipped to fourth after the “Couva Sharks” were held 1-1 by North East Stars.
Kevon Carter scored his first goal of the season for the army/coast guard combination yesterday but, once more, it was far from fluent stuff.
Carter tapped home from his own rebound in the 15th minute after he initially headed a Jemel Sebro cross against an upright. But the “Lawmen” roared back with a brilliant free kick from Elijah Belgrave in the 59th minute and further frustrated the reigning champions as Police custodian Adrian Foncette pulled off two fine saves to keep out a Rodell Elcock header and a stinging Richard Roy effort.
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Jerwin Balthazar restored Defence Force’s advantage in the 68th minute with a fine half volley into the corner from the edge of the area while Police could not convert a half chance in the closing seconds as defender Anton Hutchinson headed against the crossbar after a cushioned pass from teammate Akiba Peters.
There was much less goalmouth action in the closing affair at Macoya as former Jabloteh coaching colleagues Terry Fenwick (Central) and Angus Eve (Stars) went head to head in a typically cagey affair.
It was not until the 67th minute that either team managed an effort on goal and it counted.
Central attacker Rundell Winchester, who spent the night on the left flank, invited substitute Dwight Quintero to chase a ball over the top and, as Stars captain and custodian Cleon John was slow to leave his goal line, the teenager flicked around him for the opener.
Quintero was stuck in the Stars’ reserve team last season and he might have relished his chance to make a point to his former employer.
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Two can play that game, though.
And Fenwick’s former employee, Anthony Wolfe, also returned to haunt his former club as the 2006 World Cup squad member equalised for Stars with an imperious header into the far corner after a right side Kennedy Hinkson cross.
Central defender Jamal Jack had a rare glimpse at goal but saw his effort charged down by Stars defender Aquil Selby. And, at the final whistle, it was a tame 1-1 draw as Central slipped from third to fourth spot with eight points from five games while Stars remained just one point adrift and in fifth spot.
(Teams)
North East Stars (4-2-3-1): 22.Cleon John (GK) (captain); 23.Kennedy Hinkson, 5.Aquil Selby, 2.Kareem Moses, 19.Glenton Wolfe; 6.Jeromie Williams (25.Keryn Navarro 68), 12.Jayson Joseph; 7.Elijah Manners (13.Marcus Gomez 76), 9.Akiel Guevara (20.Trevin Caesar 61), 8.Micah Lewis; 11.Anthony Wolfe.
Unused substitutes: 1.Stefan Berkeley (GK), 16.Neil Mitchell, 18.Kaashif Thomas, 37.Andrew Smith.
Coach: Angus Eve
Central FC (4-3-3): 21.Jan-Michael Williams (GK); 2.Elton John, 24.Akeem Benjamin (19.Dwight Pope 82), 12.Jamal Jack, 3.Keion Goodridge; 7.Jason Marcano (captain), 10.Marvin Oliver, 11.Darren Mitchell; 14.Darryl Trim (13.Johan Peltier 46), 22.Keon Trim (9.Dwight Quintero 58), 17.Rundell Winchester.
Unused substitutes: 25.Javon Sample (GK), 4.Omar Charles, 6.Toric Robinson, 23.Hector Sam.
Coach: Terry Fenwick
Referee: Chevon Wilson
Pro League results
(Fri Oct 1)
Defence Force 2 (Kevon Carter 15, Jerwin Balthazar 68), Police 1 (Elijah Belgrave 59) at Macoya
Central FC 1 (Dwight Quintero 67), North East Stars 1 (Anthony Wolfe 72) at Macoya
Caledonia AIA 6 (Keyon Edwards 9, 25, 46, Noel Williams 71, Densill Theobald 72, Tyrone Charles 84), St Ann’s Rangers 1 (Jomal Harewood 36) at Couva
San Juan Jabloteh 3 (Kerry Baptiste 45, 62, Rennie Britto 52), Point Fortin Civic 1 (Kelvin Modeste 50) at Couva
[standings league_id=1 template=extend logo=true]
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Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
