Marvin Gordon, headcoach of the Defence Force will have at his disposal the valuable services of prolific striker Devorn Jorsling when his troops comes up against St Ann’s Rangers at 8 p.m this evening at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, in Round Two Match Day Two of the Digicel Pro League.
The 32-year-old ex-T&T international, Jorsling, has been working back to full fitness within the past two weeks due to niggling thigh strain. Gordon and his staff had taken the decision not to risk the player and have him rest the injury until he became fit to play again. Jorsling last represented Defence Force on December 19 when he scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 win over North East Stars.
Gordon credited Jorsling for his professionalism and commitment to the club shown in working hard with the club’s recovery team to be fit again. Jorsling missed his side’s 8-0 mauling of Morvant Caledonia United last Friday and Tuesday’s hard-fought 0-0 draw with defending league champions Central.
“It was a tactical but highly competitive affair against Central,” said Gordon. “In the end the result favoured us, although I think – with the chances we had – we should have come away with full points. But I must say Central weren’t easy opponents, they are a good team and the defending champions.”
Defence Force (21 points), winners of the Rawle Fletcher (Round One) trophy, are three points clear of Central (18 points) at the top of the standings—a position Gordon wants to stay in all season.
“I think we could stay at the top for the rest of the season if we can continue with the fantastic work we have been doing in the past three to four weeks,” added Gordon. “But it’s going to come down to the mental attitude of our players in training and in each game along the way. The plan is to take it one game at a time and not look too far ahead.”
Defence Force are unbeaten in their last four games with three wins and one draw, while Rangers were defeated in their last two outings, since edging Point Fortin Civic 1-0 on December 19.
Rangers, thanks to some shabby goalkeeping on the opposite end, surprised in their final league game last season by defeating Defence Force 2-1, and followed up by holding Gordon’s side 1-1 in their opening league clash of the 2015-16 season on Sep. 25.
Although firing back with a 3-1 win over Rangers in the preliminary round of the Toyota Classic on November 7, Gordon is wary of the task ahead.
“We are against Rangers on Friday and that’s our focus. We are not thinking of the following game. We know that Rangers were tough opponents when we met them at the start of the season. Their coach Angus Eve is doing a great job with the players he have and they will throw everything at us. They are no different than the past, tricky opponents.
“We have the quality over Rangers, but it will still come down to who wants it more on the day,” ended Gordon. Morvant Caledonia United will meet crosstown rivals San Juan Jabloteh from two hours earlier, at the same venue. Also this evening, 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 tomorrow.
Matches
Tonight’s Match-up
(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
Tomorrow Matches (Larry Gomes Stadium)
Police FC vs W Connection—3:30 pm