“Beating the defending champs W Connection and (somewhat) knocking them out of the race, is very important because we want to win the (Digicel Pro) League before the third round starts,” said Defence Force Head Coach Ross Russell following Friday night’s 2-1 win over the ‘Savonnetta Boys’ at the Marvin Lee Stadium.
“We want to be ahead by at least 12 points,” added the jubilant Russell.
“I think it would hurt them(Connection) [in the end] because they dropped more points and dropped behind North East Stars as well. Now they have to study getting into the first two before studying us. So they would have to do some home work and while they are doing that, they would do a job for us.”
Defence Force leads the standings with 32 points from 13 games, and enjoy a delightful 9-point advantage ahead of second positioned Caledonia AIA with 23 from 12 games. Connection slipped one into fourth following the defeat with 19 points from 12 games while North East Stars moved up into third with 20 points with a 3-1 win over bottom of the table T&TEC FC in the first match of the Super Friday double header at the Macoya venue.
Eyeing another three points, the soldiers are against the cellar positioned T&TEC on the weekend, and Russell explains that it’s very easy to keep his players focused on the prize.
“We always have our secrets… but we are working hard to maintain our position at the top because you know after the Carnival break it’s very tough to keep your players in, and we did that.
“We are looking forward to the next round and hope that we keep the flag flying. Right now it’s kind of easy [in motivating the players] because we are on top right now and they are seeing we can win league. So they are very much focused. We threw away two titles already for the season and I don’t think they want this one to get away. It’s kind of easier in getting them focused and right now they are making me proud,” concluded the Army coach.
This season the soldiers missed out on three pieces of silverware beginning with the Digicel Charity Shield (against W Connection), and in the Finals of the First Citizens Cup (against Caledonia) and Toyota Classic (against North East Stars). Added to reaching two Finals and an automatic Charity Shield this season, the soldiers have dominated the League Championship with 10 wins, 2 draws and just 1 defeat. Defence Force forwards Devorn Jorsling and Richard Roy are at the top of the goal-scorers’ list with 12 and 9 goals respectively while attacking midfielder Josimar Belgrave boasts 7 goals to his name.