Guerra inspires Central to win over former employers, Connection extend unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions
Ataullah Guerra was called upon as a second half substitute against his former employers Caledonia AIA on Tuesday and became involved in a deadlock-breaking goal before scoring another to earn Digicel Pro League leaders Central FC a 2-0.
But the result only temporarily extended the "Couva Sharks"' lead before second placed DIRECTV W Connection also recorded a 2-0 win to defeat third placed North East Stars in the second match of a Round Three Match Day Three double-header contested at the Marvin Lee Stadium.
Willis Plaza gave Central a 1-0 lead in the 63rd minute for his 8th league goal this season. The Trinidad and Tobago international forward was alert in the box to capitalise on rebound off the crossbar – ahead of Caledonia defenders and substitute goalkeeper D'Eandre Villaroel – following a strike from above the box by Guerra.
Guerra, who was thrown into the mix at the expense of defender Marcelle Francois following the break, then guaranteed victory in the 89th minute with his 10th league goal this season for a 2-0 score.
The T&T international midfielder slotted past Villaroel from close up following a sweeping play on the right and into the box, involving Plaza, Kaydion Gabriel and Sean de Silva.
Caledonia had suffered their first blow in the 32nd minute of play when goalkeeper Shemel Louison had to be replaced by the teenaged Villaroel, who had represented San Juan North Secondary in the Secondary Schools League last season.
Louison, Grenada national team goalie, had picked up a knock — to his face it appeared – after colliding with teammate, Haitian defender Pierre Hitner, whilst making a low gather to deny Central a scoring chance.
Louison had earlier made an excellent one-handed save to put behind a left-footed strike by De Silva, which was intended for the inside of the near post in the 16th minute.
But that was the only on-target attempt by Central prior to Plaza breaking the deadlock just over the hour mark.
Plaza had three from a total six near misses by the Zoran Vranes-coached Central before scoring. Jamal Jack, Leston Paul and De Silva had the others while Caledonia’s Nathan Lewis forced the best save out of goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams in the 5th minute with a volley.
Central had other tries prior to Guerra’s late, but Villaroel were able to make saves denying Guerra in the 75th and 93rd minutes, and substitute Jason Marcano in the 84th minute.
Needless to say, the goals came and Central (13-3-3, 42 points) maintained their five points lead on second placed W Connection (11-4-3, 37 points), while North East Stars (9-3-7, 30 points) continue to occupy third and Caledonia (5-4-9, 19 points) in eight.
Akeem Garcia gave Connection the lead in the 41st minute against North East Stars – the team also ranked third after Connection and Central with the best defensive record this season.
The Trinidad and Tobago Under-20 forward dispatched a low strike into the far lower corner from inside the right of the box after meeting a defence-splitting pass by midfielder Devaughn Elliot.
That goal came after the cross bar denied goals on either end. Fifteen minutes inside the match North East Stars’ defender Jesus Perez met a Jayson Joseph free-kick with a diving header, only to see goalkeeper Julani Archibald keep it out with a superb one-handed save. And on the rebound winger Kion Joseph, who was later denied by Archibald in the 40th minute, smashed the ball towards goal but that cannoned off the cross bar to Connection’s delight.
Connection’s Colombian midfielder Yhon Stiven Reyes Lopez was also denied by the cross bar in the 23rd minute after letting off a strike from the edge of the box.
Connection forward Hashim Arcia, who was denied by Stars’ goalkeeper Cleon John in the 54th and 65th minutes, finally made it 2-0 in the 84th minute, smashing in from close up, Jerrel Britto's rebound which crashed off the far upright.
The win extended Connection’s unbeaten run in the league to six matches, and nine in all competitions, while Central boasts a five-match undefeated stretch in the league and eight in all competitions.
Round Three Match Day Three will continue on Wednesday 11 March at the very same Marvin Lee Stadium with cellar-placed St. Ann’s Rangers (0-1-17, 1 point) against seventh-placed Police FC (6-5-7, 23 points) from 6 pm and sixth-placed Play Whe San Juan Jabloteh (7-5-6, 26 points) against Point Fortin Civic (8-3-7, 27 points) from 8 pm.
Central, Connection and North East Stars, however, will shift their focus, along with Defence Force, to Sunday’s semi-final round of the 2015 TTFA FA Trophy competition. The match-ups, venues and times are expected to be revealed on Wednesday afternoon following a random draw at the TTFA office at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.
Round Three Match Day Three Results
Central FC 2 (Willis Plaza 63', Ataullah Guerra 89') vs Caledonia AIA 0
W Connection 2 (Akeem Garcia 41', Hashim Arcia 84') vs North East Stars 0
Teams
Central FC: 21.Jan-Michael Williams; 3.Keon Goodridge, 12.Jamal Jack, 6.Leston Paul, 24.Kevon Villaroel, 15.Kaydion Gabriel, 33.Willis Plaza, 2.Elton John, 17.Marcelle Francois (45.Ataullah Guerra 46th), 8.Sean de Silva (5.Akeem Benjamin 90th), 28.Borfor Carr (7.Jason Marcano 64th)
Unused substitutes: 99.Dwight Quintero, 1.Javon Sample (GK), 14.Jean-Luc Rochford, 29.Upston Edwards
Coach: Zoran Vranes
Caledonia AIA: 1.Shemel Louison (34.D'Eandre Villaroel 32nd); 5.Christoper Mejia, 22.Jameel Neptune, 12.Kareem Joseph, 9.Keyon Edwards, 28.Pernell Schultz (31.Domini Garnett 55th), 23.Jamil Joseph, 27.Nathan Lewis, 16.Pierre Hitner (Yellow Card), 26.Nicholas Mercano, 29.Mikaeel Jem Gordon (8.Keron Bethelmy 66th)
Unused substitutes: 4.Conrad Smith, 20.Rogelio Robinson, 32.Kyle Bartholomew, 35.Israel Honore
Coach: Jerry Moe
Referee: Crystal Sobers
Teams
W Connection: 18.Julani Archibald; 5.Mekeil Williams (C), 12.Jerrel Britto, 3.Gerard Williams, 13.Devaughn Elliot (25.Christian Viveros 74th), 29.Akeem Garcia, 14.Hashim Arcia, 26.Maurice Ford, 27.Shannon Gomez, 36.Triston Hodge (2.Kurt Frederick 80th), 8.Yhon Stiven Reyes Lopez (40.Jomal Williams 75th)
Unused substitutes: 22.Aquelius Sylvester (GK), 10.Yefer Steven Lozano, 20.Christian Rodriguez, 43.Shirvone St. Prix
Coach: Stuart Charles Fevrier
North East Stars: 22.Cleon John; 4.Keithy Simpson, 12.Jayson Joseph (26.Zavion Navarro 86th), 15.Glenton Wolfe, 25.Keryn Navarro, 38.Jesus Perez, 6.Jeromie Williams (Yellow Card) (41.Neveal Hackshaw 42nd), 44.Kion Joseph (40.Jomoul Francois 77th), 23.Kennedy Hinkson, 14.Dwane James, 10.Keron Cummings
Unused substitutes: 1.Stefan Berkeley (GK), 5.Aquil Selby, 18.Kaashif Thomas
Coach: Angus Eve
Referee: Rodphin Harris