Central edges Police for maiden Pro League win

Former Trinidad and Tobago utility player Anthony Wolfe enjoyed a piece of history for new Digicel Pro League club, Central FC, this evening with the first ever competitive goal for the “Sharks” as the Couva-based outfit edged Police FC 1-0 at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.

It was a nervy affair for English coach Graham Rix, though, as Central failed to get an insurance item and was fortunate not to concede an equaliser in the closing minutes.

In fact, Police should have scored first through former Under-17 World Cup player Stephen Knox in the 56th minute. But the 22-year-old Knox hit over from just inside the area after good approach play from Vernell Ramirez and with Dexter Alleyne free to his left.

Central, who started with a 4-5-1 system, introduced an additional striker in the form of Darryl Trim, in the 62nd minute, as they swapped to 4-4-2 and it proved to be a good omen.

There was an element of good fortune about their goal though as Police full back Errol Charles carelessly handled a Hayden Tinto cross and Wolfe, who played at centre forward, made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Central midfielder Sayid Freitas wasted the game’s best chance in the 73rd minute when he failed to cleanly control a raking cross from substitute Shaquille Nesbitt and Charles atoned for his earlier error with a timely and fortuitous clearance.

Police striker Jameel Perry could not beat Central custodian Marvin Phillip with an angled attempt in the closing minutes while a stoppage time scramble in the penalty box saw Phillip take a boot to the midriff as his defence again reacted slowly to impending danger.

But Phillip got his clean sheet in the end and Central started its Pro League campaign on a winning note.

Police (4-4-2): 33.Emmanuel Nurse; 1.Errol Charles, 4.Karlon Murray, 35.Weslie John, 8.Akiba Peters; 37.Vernell Ramirez (11.Kareem Perry 71), 5.Anton Hutchinson, 21.Todd Ryan (Capt), 17.Dexter Alleyne; 15.Jameel Perry (9.Keon Quow 75), 19.Stephen Knox.

Unused Substitutes: 16.Adisa Alleyne, 13.Darryl James, 18.Jevon Morris, 23.Dillon Lewis, 26.Joshua Bachan.

Coach Richard Hood

Central (4-1-4-1): 1.Marvin Phillip; 2.Dylon Charles, 3.Keion Goodridge (26.Quincy Charles 78), 6.Marc Leslie, 24.Akeem Adams; 10.Marvin Oliver; 7.Hayden Tinto (17.Shaquille Nesbitt 74), 15.Sayid Freitas, 18.Cyrano Glen (20.Darryl Trim 62), 14.Tyrone Charles; 9.Anthony Wolfe (Capt),

Unused Substitutes: 13.Shane Mattis, 12.Simba Aberdeen, 16.Carey Harris, 19.Adrian Noel.

Coach Graham Rix

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Digicel Pro League

(Friday 19 October 2012)

Central FC 1 (Anthony Wolfe 66 pen), Police FC 0 at Mannie Ramjohn

Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA 1 (Nathan Lewis 48), DirecTV W Connection 1 (Andrei Pacheco 16) at Mannie Ramjohn

(Saturday 20 October 2012)

St Ann’s Rangers v T&TEC, 5 pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium

Defence Force v North East Stars, 7 pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium

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Pro League Standings

(Tabulated as Played-Won-Drew-Lost-Goals For-Goals Against-Points)

N/East Stars    1-1-0-0-3-1-3

Police FC           2-1-0-1-2-1-3

Defence Force 1-1-0-0-2-1-3

Central FC         1-1-0-0-1-0-3

W/Connection 1-0-1-0-1-1-1

Caledonia AIA 2-0-1-1-2-4-1

Rangers              1-0-0-1-1-2-0

T&TEC                 1-0-0-1-0-2-0

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