Caesar’s Palace: Trevin treble in town as Pro League continues

DIRECTV W Connection and Point Fortin Civic kept their 100 percent records intact in the Digicel Pro League last night with 3-2 and 1-0 wins against San Juan Jabloteh and St Ann’s Rangers respectively at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

But it was the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain that witnessed the individual performance of the round as North East Star’s “Mighty Mouse” lookalike Trevin Caesar ripped apart the Defence Force backline with all three goals as the Sangre Grande-based team grabbed a morale boosting 3-1 win.

Caesar’s treble was already the fourth hattrick at the Hasely Crawford after just three rounds of matches this season. Connection left back Kurt Frederick was first to the honour’s list on September 14 and, six days later, Jabloteh’s Kerry Baptiste and St Ann’s Rangers’ Clevon McFee registered tricks on the same evening.

At this rate, Movie Towne might feasibly have competition on Wrightson Road for weekend entertainment.

Not that Caledonia fans enjoyed it much.

Yesterday, the “Eastern Stallions” extended their winless streak to nine successive matches after they were held 1-1 by Police FC in Port of Spain.

Lively winger Nathan Lewis put the Morvant-Laventille based team ahead in the 32nd minute with a firm header after a flowing build-up that involved captain Nuru Muhammad, striker Jamal Gay and a wonderful cross from left back Aubrey David.

Thereafter, Caledonia seemed to seek increasingly comical ways not to put the game beyond Police’s reach.

Lewis was prominent in this regard too with several horrible finishes. But none more appalling than in the 62nd minute when Caledonia sliced through the Police backline and midfielder Densill Theobald slipped the ball to an unmarked Lewis, who was just four yards away from an unprotected net.

Lewis hit the crossbar.

If that footage gets online, the Caledonia winger is likely to be most internationally recognised Pro League player since Kenwyne Jones.

At the death, Caledonia goalkeeper Glenroy Samuel handled a backpass inside the area and Jasimar Ashers, a former Stallion, took full advantage to score with a controlled drive off the indirect free kick to secure Police’s first point this season.

Caledonia coach Jamaal Shabazz might need to be relieved of his belt and shoelaces if he endures many more evenings like that one.

Connection has had its share of disquiet this season. You could not tell by looking at the league standings though.

And as 22-year-old starlet Joevin Jones reclaimed the captain’s armband for the first time since an internal ban for playing minor league football and started alongside similarly sanctioned defender Daneil Cyrus, there might have been the feeling that a cloud was lifting from over the “Savonetta Boys.”

Connection was three goals clear by the interval although late items from ex-Connection attacker Rennie Britto and poacher Kerry Baptiste ensured a nervy finish against Jabloteh.

Defence Force and Stars left it late to get down to business as well.

When the smoke cleared, Caesar had the biggest grin. Four times, the quick, diminutive striker let fly with his right boot: one flew past Defence Force goalkeeper Kevin Graham high at his near post, the other disappeared between the goalie’s legs, a third thudded off the heel of the post and the fourth flew low in the far corner.

It was a remarkable 33 minute burst, which was spoiled only by the fact that Josimar Belgrave was allowed a scrappy goal for the army/coast guard combination and Trinidad and Tobago national coach Stephen Hart had chosen to attend the Pro League double header in Couva.

If Caesar had put on a showing like that a week ago, he would probably be in the “Soca Warriors” squad to face New Zealand next Tuesday.

But, if the Stars striker continues in that vein, it will only be a matter of time before he gets his first national senior cap.

 

Pro League results 

(Tue 8 October)

Caledonia AIA 1 (Nathan Lewis 32), Police 1 (Jasimar Ashers 90+) at Port of Spain

North East Stars 3 (Trevin Caesar 51, 81, 84), Defence Force 1 (Josimar Belgrave 63) at Port of Spain

Point Fortin Civic 1 (Andre Alexis 16), St Ann’s Rangers 0 at Couva

W Connection 3 (Camilo Ortega Diaz 8, Mekeil Williams 10, Hashim Arcia 14), Jabloteh 2 (Rennie Britto 70, Kerry Baptiste 81) at Couva

[standings league_id=1 template=extend logo=true]