Central FC and DirecTV W Connection closed their 2015/16 Pro League accounts in emphatic fashion last night, after lopsided wins over St Ann’s Rangers and Club Sando respectively at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
Jason Marcano and Ricardo John both notched hattricks while Kadeem Corbin also got on the scoresheet as the “Couva Sharks” devoured table proppers, Rangers, 7-0. And Malik St Prix and Andre Toussaint scored twice each and Dimitrie Apai chipped in with another as Connection routed Club Sando 5-2.
Forward Kevon “Showtime” Woodley and midfielder Akeem Humphrey got a goal each for Sando, who finished the season in seventh place in the 10-team table.
The goal fest meant that Marcano is set to end the season as the leading scorer in all competitions with 22 items—counting knock out and Caribbean Club Championship goals to go with his 17 league strikes—although Police FC’s Makesi Lewis is the Pro League’s highest scorer with 20 goals in the league competition.
Central have already secured the Pro League title, for the second successive season, while Connection can finish no higher than third.
But there will be high drama today as Play Whe San Juan Jabloteh and Defence Force fight for second spot and a CONCACAF Champions League qualifying berth.
Jabloteh, who are second and three points clear of the Army/Coast Guard combination, face Japs North East Stars from 4 pm at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella.
While, at the same time, Defence Force tackle Morvant Caledonia United at the Larry Gomes Stadium.
A win or draw will take Jabloteh into the Caribbean Club Championship—the qualifying leg of the Champions League—for the first time since 2010.
If Jabloteh lose and Defence Force win, the “Teteron Boys” will leapfrog to second place, thanks to a superior goal differential.
Pro League results
(Friday May 20)
Central FC 7 (Ricardo John 14, 48, 60, Jason Marcano 63, 66, 90, Kadeem Corbin 84), St Ann’s Rangers 0 at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Club Sando 2 (Kevon Woodley 22, Akeem Humphrey 38), W Connection 5 (Malik St Prix 9, 58, Dimitrie Apai 68, Andre Toussaint 79, 83) at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Upcoming fixtures
(Saturday May 21)
Defence Force vs Morvant Caledonia United, 4 pm, Larry Gomes Stadium;
San Juan Jabloteh vs North East Stars, 4 pm, Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;
Point Fortin Civic vs Police FC, 6 pm, Mahaica Oval.