Defence Force coach Marvin Gordon said every available cannon in their artillery will be used for Morvant Caledonia United this evening when both teams meet from 6:00pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in the Digicel T&T Pro League.
Gordon’s men are leading the standings with 17 points and can secure the Rawle Fletcher Trophy for the team that finishes on top at the end of the first round with a victory today. They are being closely chased by Police which are on 15 points and defending league champs Central FC on 14 points.
A draw for the Army Coast-Guard Combination can spell danger for them as the ‘Lawmen’ will face lowly Point Fortin Civic Centre from 3:30pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar Arima and Central FC scheduled to take on St Ann’s Rangers from 5:00pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on tomorrow.
The Rawle Fletcher (Round One) Trophy, along with the Akeem Adams (Round Two) and Kevon Carter (Round Three) Trophies were introduced last season in honour of the late players as well as to increase the level of competition throughout the league competition.
Central made a clean sweep last season, winning every round en route to lifting the league championship. But yesterday Gordon said “From the start of this season the key is to win the league by winning each round. So the first round is important to us.”
He added: “The priority is to win today. We also want to win in honour of our former player and soldier Rawle Fletcher.” Fletcher, 34, who played as a defender and attained the rank of Lance Corporal, was one of three people, including his best friend, businessman Mitra Maharaj and 19-year-old Anil Diram, killed in a drive-by shooting in Couva in December 2013.
“We’ve had a good week of preparations, including a practice match with the (Trinidad and Tobago) national team on Monday,” continued Gordon.
“But we are not taking Caledonia for granted although they are at the bottom of the table. Caledonia are no easy opponents. They have quality players and a quality coaching staff” he noted.
Crafty attacker Hashim Arcia is expected to make his first start for the Defence Force but second appearance after coming off the bench in December in a 4-0 loss in the final of the Toyota Classic against W Connection, since leaving the Savonetta Boys at the end of last season.
Gordon’s side have also been boosted this week by the return of young talents Levi Serries, Jamali Garcia, goalkeeper Andre Marchan and Thurlani George, all available for selection.
The other weekend fixtures will feature San Juan Jabloteh up against North East Stars from 8 pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Friday night and Club Sando facing W Connection at the Ato Boldon Stadium from 7 pm on Saturday.
Standings
Team P W D L F A D P
1 Defence Force 8 5 2 1 21 7 +14 17
2 Police 8 4 3 1 22 14 +8 15
3 Central 8 4 2 2 15 8 +7 14
4 W Connection 8 3 4 1 13 5 +8 13
5 S/Juan Jabloteh 8 4 1 3 14 9 +5 13
6 North East Stars 8 4 1 3 13 17 -4 13
7 Point Fortin 8 3 1 4 8 12 -4 10
8 St Ann's Rangers 8 2 2 4 8 19 -11 8
9 Morvant Caledonia Utd 8 1 1 6 6 16 -10 4
10 Club Sando 8 1 1 6 7 20 -13 4