Pro League result: Lee keeps Rangers in hunt as Defence Force stumble against Sando

Terminix La Horquetta Rangers stayed in the hunt for their maiden Pro League title last night, as they whipped rivals Morvant Caledonia United 4-0 at the Phase Two Recreation Ground in La Horquetta.

A first half double by lively forward Isaiah Lee and a goal apiece by captain Jamal Creighton and talent flanker Kadeem Corbin helped Rangers to a comfortable win over the ‘Eastern Stallions’.

Coach Dave ‘Hoghead’ Quamina might have enjoyed some payback after Caledonia defeated Rangers in last year’s Ascension Invitational Tournament and then again in the first round of the 2019/20 Pro League season.

More importantly, the triumph saw Rangers trim the gap between first and second place to seven points, after leaders Defence Force stumbled to a 4-4 draw against Tiger Tanks Club Sando at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

The Army/Coast Guard combination led 2-0 at the interval thanks to a pair of first half goals by attacker Dylon King. However, Club Sando managed a remarkable second half comeback and led 4-3 after 90 minutes.

Flanker Shaqkeem Joseph, a National Under-20 player in 2018, scored twice for Sando and leads all Pro League marksmen with 11 goals at present. But Defence Force found a late response as gritty defender Curtis ‘Boyo’ Gonzales equalised from the penalty spot, four minutes into stoppage time, to salvage a point for coach Lloyd Andrews’ troops.

With three matches remaining, Defence Force need just three points to secure their fourth Pro League title. Their remaining games are against: Morvant Caledonia, Central FC and Point Fortin Civic.

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Caledonia edged the ‘Teteron Boys’ 2-1 on 25 January while, although the leaders whipped Civic 3-0 in Mahaica Oval two months ago, Andrews cannot take the Point Fortin squad for granted.

Civic are third at present and gave another show of their form yesterday as they whipped Central FC 4-1 in La Horquetta. Playmaker Tyrel ‘Pappy’ Emmanuel was on the score sheet again with his fourth goal of the season while attacker Corey Cyrus, midfielder Akeem Redhead and defender Ronell Paul also chipped in.

Central, whose attacking midfielder Ché Benny got a consolation goal yesterday, are in abysmal form though. The ‘Couva Sharks’ are ninth on the 11 team standings and lead table proppers Cunupia FC by just two points. Yesterday, the cash-strapped club, whose managing director is Pro League interim chairman and TTFA Board member Brent Sancho, turned up with just 13 players.

Pro League results

(Tuesday 10 March)

AC Port of Spain 0, San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Jair Edwards 65) at Hasely Crawford Stadium;

(Wednesday 11 March)

Central FC 1 (Ché Benny 42), Point Fortin Civic 4 (Cory Cyrus 9, Tyrel Emmanuel 24, Akeem Redhead 84, Ronell Paul 90+1) at Phase 2, La Horquetta;

Terminix La Horquetta Rangers 4 (Isaiah Lee 23, 45+1, Jamal Creighton 66, Kadeem Corbin 86), M’vt Caledonia 0 at Phase 2, La Horquetta;

W Connection 3 (Neil Benjamin 23, Jem Gordon 48, Isaiah Hudson 64), Cunupia FC 0 at Ato Boldon Stadium;

Defence Force 4 (Dylon King 6, 32, Dwight Quintero 76, Curtis Gonzales 90+4 pen), Club Sando 4 (Kevon Williams 45+1, Shaqkeem Joseph 52, 82, Keron Cornwall 65) at Hasely Crawford Stadium.

Upcoming fixtures

(Friday 13 March)

AC Port of Spain vs Police FC, 6pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium;

(Sunday 15 March)

Cunupia FC vs Point Fortin Civic, 3.30pm, Larry Gomes Stadium;

Terminix La Horquetta Rangers vs Central FC, 4pm, Phase 2 Recreation;

San Juan Jabloteh vs W Connection FC, 4pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium;

Morvant Caledonia Utd vs Defence Force FC, 6pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium.