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Substitute Garth Thomas denies Connection at the death

DirecTV W Connection, on Tuesday night, failed to knock longstanding Digicel Pro League 2014-2015 leaders Central FC off the top after conceding a late 1-1 draw against Play Whe San Juan Jabloteh at the Marvin Lee Stadium in their final Round One match.

Connection, needing nothing less than a win to surpass rivals Central for the inaugural Round One Rawle Fletcher Trophy on Tuesday night, grabbed a 1-0 advantage in as early as the 10th minute.

A strike from 30 yards out by St Kitts and Nevis international and Connection midfielder Devaughn Elliot proved too much for Jabloteh goalkeeper Raheem Belgrave, who, troubled by the swerve and dip, spilled into his own net.

But in the final minute of regulation time, Connection conceded the dreaded equaliser when Jabloteh substitute right-back Garth Thomas was picked out at the back post by a perfect Kerry Baptiste corner to head into goalkeeper Aquelius Sylvester’s net, tying the match at 1-1.

With the one point earned, the Stuart Charles-Fevrier coached Connection drew level with Central’s 17 points and 5-2-1 record. And with both teams also tied at goal-difference, the decider was boiled down to ‘goals scored’ and Central stood superior with 23 goals, three more than Connection.

Last Sunday the Zoran Vranes coached-Central completed their slate of round one matches with a 3-1 win over Point Fortin Civic and were on the bye as Connection strategically battled Jabloteh on Tuesday in their final attempt at lifting the Round One Rawle Fletcher Trophy and $35, 000 in tow.

Connection looked a cautious bunch as they executed what seemed a patient but tactical performance, even after taking the early advantage, but were made to pay in the end following a number of warning signs.

Jabloteh forward Newton Sterling, who watched Sylvester thwart his 29th minute try from distance, wasn’t much of a danger for Connection but his feed to Baptiste in the 84th minute created the best open play scoring opportunity of the match however the former Trinidad and Tobago international fired over bar.

Twelve minutes earlier, Jamaican midfielder Fabien Reid executed a stunning strike from distance but that was matched by a superb Sylvester save, keeping it out at the top corner.

It took Connection, who were also lucky to see Calib Sturge’s effort in the 32nd minute fly just wide of the far upright, until past the hour to get close to second item.

But when called upon, Belgrave redeemed himself in the 60th and 62nd minutes to deny Hashim Arcia and goal scorer Elliot respectively before Connection substitutes Jerrel Britto and Gerard Williams sent efforts just wide of the mark in the 69th and 81st minutes respectively before Jabloteh got the tying item in the 90th minute.

In the earlier match at the Macoya venue, North East Stars trumped Caledonia AIA 2-1 and at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, Defence Force muscled off cellar positioned St. Ann’s Rangers 3-2 before Point Fortin Civic defeated Police FC 2-0 with second half goals by Marcus Joseph (61st minute) and Andre Toussaint (80th minute).

Round One Match Day Nine Results

Tuesday 13 January 2015

North East Stars 2 (Keron Cummings 4', Russell Alfred 58') vs Caledonia AIA 1 (Kareem Joseph 14' penalty)

San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Garth Thomas 90') vs W Connection 1 (Devaughn Elliot 10')

Defence Force 3 (Jelani Felix 11', Richard Roy 16', Devorn Jorsling 75') vs St. Ann's Rangers 2 (Kennedy Isles 58', Nicholas Dillon 64')

Police FC 0 vs Point Fortin Civic 0 (Marcus Joseph 61', Andre Toussaint 80')

Upcoming Matches

Friday 16 January 2015

Central FC vs St. Ann’s Rangers—6 pm
Caledonia AIA vs Point Fortin Civic—8 pm

Saturday 17 January 2015

Defence Force vs North East Stars—5 pm
San Juan Jabloteh vs Police FC—7 pm

Teams

North East Stars—22. Cleon John (C), 3. Kareem Richardson, 7. Russell Alfred (35. Jordan Devonish 80th), 10. Keron Cummings, 12. Jayson Joseph, 14. Dwane James, 15. Glenton Wolfe, 23. Kennedy Hinkson, 25. Keryn Navarro, 18. Kaashif Thomas (6. Jeromie Williams 67th), 44. Kion Joseph (8. Adrian Noel 72nd)

Unused substitutes—1. Stefan Berkeley (GK), 5. Aquil Selby, 42. Taryk Sampson, 40. Jomoul Francis

Coach—Angus Eve

Caledonia AIA—1. Shemel Louison, 5. Cristopher Mejia, 8. Keron Bethelmy, 18. Trayon Bobb (10. Hayden Tinto 56th), 27. Nathan Lewis, 12. Kareem Joseph (C), 9. Keyon Edwards, 16. Pierre Hitner, 22. Jameel Neptune, 32. Kyle Bartholomew (28. Pernell Schultz 73rd), 20. Rogelio Robinson (19. Julio Noel 75th)

Unused substitutes—14. Keon Russell, 33. Zane Coker, 28. Pernell Schultz

Coach—Jamaal Shabazz

Teams

San Juan Jabloteh—36. Raheem Belgrave, 22. Calib Sturge (20. Nkosi David 70th), 10. Kerry Baptiste, 12. Brendon Boucaud, 24. Adrian Reid, 17. Fabian Reid, 8. Newton Sterling, 15. Isaiah Mc Intyre (4. 36th), 13. Coneal Thomas, 14. Shaquille Bertrand (9. Johan Peltier 73rd), 21. Neil Mitchell

Unused substitutes—30. Shane Mattis (GK), 6. Dario Holmes, 7. Andell Noray

Coach—Keith Jeffrey

W Connection—22. Aquelius Sylvester, 5. Mekeil Williams, 11. Tremain Shayn Paul, 30. Aaquil Campbell (3. Gerard Williams 59th), 14. Hashim Arcia, 13. Devaughn Elliot, 37. Shirlo Johnson (12. Jerrel Britto 46th), 39. Alvin Jones, 65. Neil Benjamin Jr. (16. Anselm Jackson 68th), 36. Triston Hodge, 19. Leslie Joel Russell

Unused substitutes—2. Kurt Frederick, 1. Terrence Lewis (GK), 4. Jamil Joseph, 18. Julani Archibald (GK)

Coach—Stuart Charles Fevrier