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Defence Force jumped two places to fifth in the Pro League tonight after a 5-1 mauling of bottom placed St Ann’s Rangers at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
Coach Ross Russell shuffled his pack with a few personnel changes in his squad as he attempts to keep his players fresh for the Caribbean qualifying phase of the CONCACAF Champions League tournament, which starts next week in Jamaica. And forward Richard “Shaka” Roy gave a welcome reminder of his abilities with a double as the “Teteron Boys” were still too much for the youthful Rangers.
Roy scored twice against St Ann’s Rangers tonight.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Roy opened the scoring in the 30th minute, which was his first goal since he bagged the opener in a 3-1 win over Point Fortin Civic on 7 December 2013. And he got his second in the 62nd minute while Kerry Joseph, Josimar Belgrave and veteran Balondemu Julius all notched a goal each.
Rangers did get something to cheer about, though.
After ten games without a goal, Rangers finally mustered its first item of 2014 and it came through substitute Josh Toussaint who was on spot to convert a rebound in the 85th minute after Defence Force goalkeeper Kevin Graham had cut out a Quincy Ballah cross.
At 16-years-old, Toussaint, a Diego Martin North Secondary student, is almost certainly the youngest scorer in the Pro League’s history.
But Defence Force would have felt more satisfied at the final whistle as Russell’s men climbed above Caledonia AIA and Police FC and are just six points shy of second placed Central FC with three games in hand.
(Courtesy Wired868)
North East Stars can stake a claim for second tomorrow evening when the Sangre Grande-based team tackles San Juan Jabloteh from 6 pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. While DIRECTV W Connection has another chance to show its championship mettle when the Pro League leader tackles second placed Central from 8 pm at the same venue.
Pro League result
(Thu Mar 13)
Defence Force 5 (Richard Roy 30, 62, Kerry Joseph 42, Josimar Belgrave 68, Balondemu Julius 90), St Ann’s Rangers 1 (Josh Toussaint 85) at Couva
[standings league_id=2 template=extend logo=true]
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