A lone item by midfielder Jerwyn Balthazar one minute before the break separated Defence Force from DIRECTV North East Stars on Tuesday night at the Larry Gomes Stadium in a replayed Round Two Match Day Four fixture of the Digicel Pro League Championship for a 1-0 result.
It was far less of a performance showcased by the Ross Russell coached Army in the original match against the Sangre Grande club leading 3-1 before stadium lights failed in the 58th minute at the very same Malabar venue back in January and forcing a replay of the Digicel Pro League fixture.
Balthazar left goalkeeper Andre Marchan beaten in the 44th minute when he slammed a low shot into the far netting from the right for the 1-0 advantage and what turned out the match-winner.
And in the second minute of injury time striker Richard Roy, who scored two of the three goals against the Stars in the original clash, only managed to hit the crossbar with a powerful half volley from above the six yard area.
The victory on Tuesday saw Defence Force’s fifth position on the standings receive a boost with 16 points while the Emerson Alcantara coached North East Stars remained in sixth position with 12 points.
Stars tried to steal an early advantage in just the fourth minute of play from a 22 yard free kick taken by midfielder Ryan Stewart after teammate Anthony Wolfe was fouled by Rodell Elcock. However goalkeeper Kevin Graham measured the decent strike with a brilliant save, pushing it behind for a corner.
And in the 26th minute, Graham was alert to guide over-bar a deflected cross by Anthony Wolfe that came off teammate Dwight Scott.
The Sangre Grande club failed to find the back of the net in the 39th minute when Stewart turned inside his marker brilliantly, only ending with a finish wide from above the area.
Defence Force had two good chances of going ahead before Balthazar’s winning item in the 44th minute. Roy was denied by Marchan in the 12th minute, when the Stars’ goalie pulled off a point blank save against the striker who should have done much better from a one on one situation.
And four minutes before the break Josimar Belgrave found the Stars’ side netting after letting off a shot from the corner of the area to signal what was to follow by the Soldiers.
Balthazar had another opportunity in the 63rd minute, but headed overbar off Belgrave’s cross from the left to the relief of North East Stars who made an early change in defender Seon Power replaced by Marc Leslie in just the 38th minute after the Trinidad and Tobago international showed signs of discomfort.
Leslie was involved in North East Stars last real chance of pulling off a draw in the 84th minute when he whipped in a good left footed cross finding Stewart on the far side, however the midfielder’s header on goal was a tame one handing goalkeeper Graham an easy task of gathering.
Teams
North East Stars—Andre Marchan, Charles Pollard, Seon Power (Marc Leslie 38th), Kendall Velox, Ryan Stewart, Kayode McKinnon, Glenton Wolfe, Anthony Wolfe, Darryl Trim (Kaydion Gabriel 62nd), Akeil Guevara, Keryn Navarro
Coach—Emerson Alcantara
Defence Force—Kevin Graham, Corey Rivers (capt.), Curtis Gonzales, Josimar Belgrave (Javon Neptune 70th), Richard Roy, Jerwyn Balthazar (Michael Edwards 82nd), Keston Williams (Anton Joseph 58th), Rodell Elcock, Dwight Scott, Glynn Franklyn, Jemel Sebro
Coach—Ross Russell
Round Two Match Day Four rescheduled match
North East Stars 0—1 Defennce Force
; Jerwyn Balthazar 44’
Round Two Match Day Seven results
W Connection 1—2 Police FC
Hashim Arcia 15’ ; Dexter Alleyne 40’, Trent Noel 78’
Caledonia AIA 1—0 T&TEC FC
Devorn Jorsling 60’