Club Sando registered a third straight win behind a 1-0 win over St Ann’s Rangers after Jeromie Williams struck in the 66th minute of the contest as competition in the Digicel Pro League continued at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on Tuesday night. The three points earned have moved the Southerners into eight position on the ten-team standing.
The Tobago-born former T&T Under-23 midfielder effort helped Sando, now with 10 points to hold on to the eighth spot. Both them and seventh positioned Point Fortin Civic have the same points. However, since returning to action following the Christmas break, the Anthony Streete coached-outfit is now riding a three-game winning streak, including wins over Morvant Caledonia United (3-0) and W Connection (1-0).
The only other side making upward movement is reigning champions Central FC which held current leaders, Defence Force (now 21 points), to a 0-0 draw in the second game of a double-header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
The contest had the expected intensity, but no final third bite as Defence Force stood without regular forwards Devorn Jorsling and Richard Roy in their line-up. While Central FC lacked the energy of striker Willis Plaza, who recently joined Salvadoran club Alianza.
Defence Force defender Glynn Franklyn came closest to scoring when his header on 25 minutes, off a Kishun Seecharan corner, clipped the crossbar.
While Central, which added some late life with the debut of 20-year-old forward Ricardo John, saw the former T&T Under-20 player putting goalkeeper Sheldon Clarke into a late save and moments earlier Marcus Joseph had a wide attempt but nothing to avoid the stalemate.
With the point earned, Central hurdled Police for second position only by goal-difference as both teams are now tied on 18 points after the Lawmen, earlier in the day, were defeated 2-0 at North East Stars.
Forward Gorean Highley netted on 24 and 42 minutes, tallying three goals in his last two games, to earn new North East Stars head coach Ross Russell his first win after two attempts.
The result kept North East Stars in fifth, but tied on 17 points with fourth place San Juan Jabloteh.
Jabloteh, in the first match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, maintained their position on the standings after rebounding from a two-goal first half deficit to beat visiting Civic 3-2.
Forward Shackiel Henry scored a first half brace, netting with powerful strikes in the 22 and 45 minutes for Civic.
Jabloteh were forced to call on the services of first choice goalie Shemel Louison after just 12 minutes of play but that didn’t help against Henry.
The Grenada national team goalie was summoned after second choice ‘keeper Raheem Belgrave injured his leg while making a clearance in the area.
Jabloteh, however, stormed back in the second period with three goals to snatch full points.
Winger Kennedy Hinkson reduced the deficit 1-2 two minutes after the restart with a stroke of brilliance when he curled a right-footer around a full stretch Louison and into the far netting.
Civic had themselves to blame when poor defending on corners saw Jabloteh level the scores then produce the winner.
Forward Jamal Gay, who missed a golden opportunity from close up in the first half, punished the visitors on 53 minutes with a header off a Tyrone Charles corner.
Another Charles corner on 72 minute and midfielder Keyon Edwards, too, was able to head free to secure the come-from-behind win.
Edwards’ former club Morvant Caledonia United, were unable to manage such a feat earlier in Couva after going under 4-2 against last season’s runners-up W Connection.
Also on Friday, Club Sando will host North East Stars from 6 p.m. at the Ato Boldon Stadium followed by Central FC against Point Fortin Civic from 8 p.m.
Police FC and W Connection will clash from 3:30 p.m. at the Larry Gomes Stadium in the lone game on Saturday 16 January.
Digicel Pro League 2015-16
Round Two Match Day One results
Tuesday 12 January 2016
Larry Gomes Stadium
Police FC 0 vs North East Stars 2 (Gorean Highley 24’ 42’)
Ato Boldon Stadium
Club Sando 1 (Jeromie Williams 66’) vs St. Ann’s Rangers 0
W Connection 4 (Shahdon Winchester 3’, 36’, Jabari Mitchell 14’, Jomal Williams 62’) vs Morvant Caledonia United 2 (Pernell Schultz 63’, Kareem Joseph 68’)
Hasely Crawford Stadium
San Juan Jabloteh 3 (Kennedy Hinkson 47’, Jamal Gay 53’, Keyon Edwards 72’) vs Point Fortin Civic 2 (Shackiel Henry 22’, 45’)
Defence Force 0 vs Central FC 0
Tomorrow’s match-ups
Hasely Crawford Stadium
San Juan Jabloteh vs Morvant Caledonia United—6 pm
Defence Force vs St. Ann’s Rangers—8 pm
Ato Boldon Stadium
Club Sando vs North East Stars—6 pm
Central FC vs Point Fortin Civic—8 pm