WALTER ALIBEY
Central FC has won the Akeem Adams trophy following a 3-1 victory over St Ann’s Rangers at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar Arima yesterday in the T&T Pro League.
Last season the Sharks claimed a clean sweep of all the trophies named in honour of their fallen colleagues- the Rawle Fletcher trophy, Akeem Adams and the Kevon Carter trophy, but they surrendered the silverware for the first round winner which Defence Force won.
The Akeem Adams trophy, given out to the winner of round two in the pro league, was gracefully received after the ‘Central Sharks’ fired three goals past their opponents to lift the silverware and continue their re-building process as they look forward to the start of the third and final round in the league.
Sharks signalled their intentions early when Leston Paul grabbed the opener after just 15 minutes. However the St Ann’s men got the equaliser as Johan Peltier found room in the area and fired past the Central custodian to tie the scores at one-apiece in the 28th minute, which was how the teams went to the dressing rooms at the interval.
Later, Central FC retained the advantage from Marcus Joseph who slotted the ball past the goalkeeper in the 56th minute for a 2-1 lead. And on the stroke of regulation time Kadeem Corbin sealed the win with his goal in the 90th. The win pushed Central FC to 40 points after 18 matches, a mere five points ahead of Connection who are still their closest rivals.
In another game yesterday, W Connection, the Toyota Classic and First Citizens Cup winners stumbled to a shocking defeat to lowly Club Sando 2-0 at the Mannie Ramjohn in Marabella, while fourth on the standing Police were scheduled to face Point Fortin Civic Centre from 5 pm at Mahaica Oval.
Connection who went into the game just two points behind the leaders in second position on 35 points, met a stubborn Club Sando outfit who were intent on achieving maximum points. And after a goalless first half the southerners were awarded a penalty when Ryan Fredericks was brought down in the area in the 53rd minute.
Devon Modeste calmly stepped up and slotted the ball past the diving goalkeeper for the lead 1-0. The goal left the Connection supporters stunned but hopeful of an equaliser in the remaining minutes. But instead Kevon Woodley rubbed salt into their wounds by scoring another three minutes later (56th). Jesse Downing stormed down the right side and delivered a pinpoint cross for Woodley to meet sweetly on the volley past the goalie, from the centre of the area.
With the result W Connection remain on 35 points but could lose their position on the standing if third place Defence Force can beat Morvant Caledonia United today at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium from 3.30 pm.
A win for the Army Coast-Guard Combination will move them to second with 36 points while Connection will be in third. Also on today will be a meeting between fifth place North East Stars and San Juan Jabloteh at 3.30 pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium.