Peltier grabs beaver trick as Central clobber Rangers 8-0; Christon helps Police KO Connection

Editor Thursday 9 February 2017 Local Football, Volley 1 Comment

Former St Ann’s Rangers captain Johan Peltier returned to haunt his old club with a vengeance yesterday as Central FC treated Rangers to a humiliating exit from the Digicel Pro Bowl with an 8-0 mauling at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva yesterday.

Peltier, who wore the armband for Rangers last season and is the younger brother of ex-Soca Warrior Lester Peltier, scored once in the first half and then added three more in the final 10 minutes as the “Couva Sharks”—fresh from clinching their third successive Pro League title—ran riot.

Photo: Central FC substitute Johan Peltier (right) shrugs off a challenge from Morvant Caledonia United defender Maestro Mensah en route to scoring his team's opener during Pro League action at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on 20 December 2016. (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868) — Photo: Central FC substitute Johan Peltier (right) shrugs off a challenge from Morvant Caledonia United defender Maestro Mensah en route to scoring his team’s opener during Pro League action at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on 20 December 2016.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

Keron “Ball Pest” Cummings, another former Rangers employee, also got on the score sheet for his first goal in an otherwise disappointing season with Central. While Rundell Winchester got a double and playmaker Sean De Silva chipped in with a penalty kick.

Peltier’s assault was a typical indictment of Rangers’ rotating door policy, which perennially sees the club anchored to the bottom of the standings. This season looked to be different as coach Anthony Streete steered the underdogs to as high as fourth place at one stage.

However, the January transfer window saw the usual exodus of players who were allegedly advised that the club could not guarantee salaries for the final two months of competition.

And, with the fresh-faced quartet of Josh Toussaint, Micah Lansiquot, Kathon St Hillaire and Rushawn Murphy on international duty with the Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 Team, Streete lacked the resources to withstand a buoyant Central team.

The result saw the Sharks advance to the semifinal round, as they chase their first cup title of the abbreviated 2016/17 season.

Photo: Police FC attacker Christon Thomas (left) tries to elude Defence Force defender Jamali Garcia (centre) while his teammate Rodell Elcock looks on during Pro League at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on 22 November 2016. (Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868) — Photo: Police FC attacker Christon Thomas (left) tries to elude Defence Force defender Jamali Garcia (centre) while his teammate Rodell Elcock looks on during Pro League at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on 22 November 2016.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)

Central will be joined by Police FC who edged DIRECTV W Connection 3-2 on kicks from the penalty spot, after a 1-1 tie at the same Couva venue last night.

Veteran playmaker Hughtun Hector put Connection ahead in the 20th minute for his club high tenth goal in all competitions this season. However, winger Christon Thomas grabbed a late equaliser for the “Lawmen” in the 86th minute as Police went on to snatch an upset.

Defending Pro Bowl champions Defence Force are in action against San Juan Jabloteh tonight from 8pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium while Ma Pau Stars tackle Club Sando from 6pm in the opening game of the Couva double header.

Digicel Pro Bowl

Quarterfinal round

(Wednesday 8 February)

Central FC 8 (Sean De Silva 27 pen, Rundell Winchester 31, 52, Johan Peltier 43, 80, 83, 88, Keron Cummings 68), St Ann’s Rangers 0 at Ato Boldon Stadium;

W Connection 1 (Hughtun Hector 20), Police FC 1 (Christon Thomas 86) at Ato Boldon Stadium;

*—Police FC won 3-2 on kicks from the penalty spot

(Thursday 9 February)

Ma Pau Stars v Club Sando, 6pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;

San Juan Jabloteh v Defence Force, 8pm, Ato Boldon Stadium.