Central FC, on Wednesday night, managed its first point against town rivals and defending Digicel Pro League champs DIRECTV W Connection with a hard-fought 2-2 draw in their rescheduled Round Three Match Day One contest in their very own backyard, the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.
The result saw the Terry Fenwick coached ‘Central Sharks’ better 3-o and 1-0 defeats picked up in previous meetings against their neighnours.
Andrei Pacheco had Connection ahead, 1-0, just four minutes inside by knocking in a perfectly placed Stefano Rijssell cross from the left past goalkeeper Marvin Phillip after stretching the Central defense wide.
And seven minutes later Pacheco missed out on an opportunity to double the advantage and his tally when his low strike from the right was thwarted by Phillip.
But in the 30th minute a dubious item awarded to Central had both teams on level terms again 1-1.
Connection argued the decision by referee Joel Davidson, while Central quietly welcomed the gift.
A back pass by Connection veteran defender Elijah Joseph towards goalkeeper Alejandro Figueroa, saw the Colombian acrobatically clearing at the goalmouth, however Davidson, well away from goal, overlooked first assistant Caleb Wales (who didn’t react as to signal a goal) and awarded Central an equalizing item.
Defender Daniel Cyrus and Figueroa only won themselves a yellow card each in their unrelenting appeal to Davidson and Wales.
However Connection’s Trinidad and Tobago international utility player Joevin Jones had the ‘Savonnetta Boys’ in front again four minutes later, with a neat lob over national teammate Marvin Phillip who raced out to close down an Akeem Benjamin cross from the right.
And five minutes from the break Pacheco unleashed a crack from his favoured left foot from a low Rijssel cross directly at Phillip who did enough to keep the stinger out.
But it just wasn’t Connection’s night.
A looping cross by Central’s Jason Marcano found the head of striker Peter Byers who had the easy task of heading over Figueroa and into the back of the net to tie the scores 2-2 in the 45th minute.
Connection’s attempt to take the advantage a third time was foiled on two occasions by former goalie, Phillip who preserved Central’s point.
Three minutes into the second period Phillip kept out an attempt from above the area by midfielder Clyde Leon.
And ten minutes from time Phillip made a diving save to his right, fisting out a glancing header from Rijssel off a well placed Akeem Benjamin cross, and the follow up effort from substitute Jomal Williams, under challenge from defender Keion Goodridge, sent his effort wide.
Central had a good opening in the 90th minute, but Figueroa made a good stop against Marcano, who had a first half effort cleared at the mouth of goal, following a good attacking move by the ‘Sharks’.
In the end Central maintained its fifth position on the standings with 23 points, while Connection dropped a spot into fourth with 26 points. North East Stars, 3-1 winners over Caledonia in the first rescheduled match of the Round Three Match Day One double header on Wednesday night moved a spot up into third with 27 points.
Caledonia remained in second with 32 points and trail leaders Defence Force (36 points) by 4 points. Both teams meet on Friday 15 at the Marvin Lee Stadium in Round Three Match Day Three from 8pm, following a 6pm clash between St. Ann’s Rangers and Connection.
Round Three Match Day Three continues on Saturday 16 with North East Stars against Police FC from 5pm and Central against T&TEC from 7pm at the Macoya venue.
Results
W Connection 2—2 Central FC
Andrei Pacheco 4’, Joevin Jones 34’ ; Elijah Joseph 30’(own goal), Peter Byers 45’
Teams
W Connection—Alejandro Figueroa (Yellow Card), Elijah Joseph (capt.) (Leslie Joel Russell 46th), Daneil Cyrus (Yellow Card), Akeem Benjamin, Clyde Leon (Christian Viveros 69th), Gerrard Williams, Hashim Arcia, Andrei Pacheco (Jomal Williams 78th), Stefano Rijssel, Kurt Frederick, Joevin Jones.
Coach—Stuart Charles Fevrier.
Central FC—Marvin Phillip (capt.), Keion Goodridge, Hayden Tinto (Marc Leslie 82nd), Anthony Wolfe, Peter Byers, Carey Harris, Adrian Noel (Yellow Card), Darren Mitchell (Cyrano Glen 88th), Jason Marcano, Weslie John, Johan Peltier (Sayid Freitas 77th).
Coach—Terry Fenwick.