An early strike by St. Ann’s Rangers forward Cameron Roget in the fourth minute against DIRECTV North East Stars on Friday night inspired a 2-1 win for the Anthony Streete coached side, on the heels of Tuesday’s 3-1 defeat against Defence Force.
Roget who scored the lone item against the soldiers in the midweek encounter, fired Rangers ahead for a 1-0 score, hitting in from close up at the back post after the Stars defense failed to clear a left side cross by Devon Modeste.
And by the 22nd minute, Rangers enjoyed a 2-0 advantage at the Larry Gomes Stadium in the Digicel Pro League Round Two Match Day Seven clash, when a back pass by Glenton Wolfe resulted in a mix-up with goalkeeper Andre Marchan who only watched on in dismay as the ball entered his net.
Marchan pulled off a fine touch in the 30th minute to keep out Keron Alexander freekick from the right and two minutes later, Rangers goalscorer Roget failed to hit the target, firing high from the right, after a quick counterattack by the St. Ann’s club.
Rangers’ goalie Shane Mattis was forced into action a few times before the break, first wrapping an effort from distance in the 36th minute and two minutes later he shaved a low Ryan Stewart attempted wide for a corner.
Mattis proved unbeatable again in the 45th minute thwarting a low shot by Anthony Wolfe from the left to preserve his side’s two goal cushion before the half.
Rangers looked the better of the two sides early into the second period creating a few wide efforts, despite North East Stars making a couple changes in striker Gary Glasgow for Marc Leslie and Jeromie Williams for midfielder Jean-Luc Rochford by the hour mark.
It seemed the night wasn’t North East Stars’, coming off a brilliant 3-2 comeback win on Tuesday night against Police FC at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
The Emerson Alcantara coached side won a penalty in the 73rd minute, after a handle ball by Rangers defender Elijah Belgrave inside the area, however Anthony Wolfe shot overbar from the spot.
But in the 85th minute, Glasgow pulled back a goal with a superb strike from the right beating Mattis at far post for a 1-2 score.
The visiting Rangers were denied a third item in the 90th minute by the crossbar when Modeste fired in from the left—maybe in efforts to erase the memory of hitting his team’s upright moments earlier in a defensive play.
North East Stars 1—2 St. Ann’s Rangers
Caleron Roget 4’, Glenton Wolfe 22’ (own goal) ; Gary Glasgow 85’
Teams
North East Stars—Andre Marchan, Charles Pollard (capt.), Keion Goodridge, Marc Leslie (Gary Glasgow 46th), Anthony Wolfe, Ryan Stewart (Akil Guevara 80th), Kayode McKinnon, Kaydion Gabriel, Darryl Trim, Glenton Wolfe, Jean-Luc Rochford (Jeromie Williams 62nd).
Coach—Emerson Alcantara.
St. Ann’s Rangers—Shane Mattis, Akil Clarke (capt.), Javon Wilson, Hector Sam, Elijah Belgrave, Devon Modeste, Kaashif Thomas, Cameron Roget, Keron Alexander (Theon James 90th), Nicholas Valentine, Kareem Moses.
Coach—Anthony Streete.
St Anns 2-1 North East Stars - Up-close Report from SWO Member (FS).
They say there are turning points in games that can win or lose a match. They say individual errors can cost you a game, they talk about makeshift defences. These statements may have some truth and may have some relevance to this game, but probably more apt is the one about a team "just not wanting it enough", or perhaps "the other team wanted it more".
Rangers started brightly and scored a decent goal after 4 minutes. Maybe the Stars defence were asleep. They would point to a second consecutive game without their regular defence who have proved steady all season. Forced into changes through yellow card suspensions, the defence was indeed makeshift.
Rangers second goal will probably be a video classic. Glenton Wolfe rolled a 20 yard backpass to the keeper, who under no real pressure let the ball under his foot and into the net. Did the ball bobble? Who knows?
Kaydion Gabriel found himself receiving a 30 yard pass in acres of space at the edge of the 18 yard box, but misjudged the ball and the chance went begging.
Second half saw Stars come out with a little more fight, perhaps reminded that on Tuesday they overturned a 2-0 half time deficit to win 3-2.
Winning a deserved penalty, Anton Wolfe, who has been steady from the spot all season, blasted the ball over the bar. It was that kind of night for the Stars.
Gary Glasgow, back from a 4 month injury lay off, produced some magic out wide and his shot from 20 yards on 85 minutes set up a final flurry for North East. From some hectic goalmouth defending by St Ann's, a Rangers defender nearly gave Stars an equaliser, but the ball hit the post and bounced out.
Rangers played well enough to deserve the victory, while North East, though unlucky, really didn't deserve even a draw. With such a good squad, some serious work is needed in the North East camp.