Police FC and defending Digicel Pro League champions Defence Force are now positioned second and third respectively on the 2013-2014 standings, and will remain there during the Christmas break which runs from December 22 - January 2.
Police, previously third on the standings, tackled second positioned North East Stars in the first match of the Round One Match Day Eight double header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Friday and defeated the Angus Eve coached-Sangre Grande club 1-0.
Coach Richard Hood's men, now with 13 points in second, grabbed what turned out the winner in the 31st minute when midfielder and team captain Todd Ryan headed towards goal a well-placed Akiba Peters’ corner, which Stars midfielder Kaashif Thomas failed to keep out at the goalmouth.
Stars, with 10 points next to their name, slipped a spot following the defeat, then a further spot into fourth by the end of the second match at the Mucurapo Road venue.
Defence Force, previously occupying fourth, moved a spot upwards with 12 points, after overcoming a stubborn eight positioned San Juan Jabloteh 2-0.
The Ross Russell coached-Defence Force scored on either side of the half in a match that saw a couple flared tempers near the end.
Midfielder Jerwyn Balthazar broke the San Juan club a minute before the break for a 1-0 advantage when he scored from close up after the Jabloteh defence failed to clear a Devorn Jorsling free kick swung into the area.
Jorsling later spilled an excellent scoring opportunity in the 72nd minute, heading overbar from close up when he met a Ross Russell Jr. corner from the left.
The ace forward was on target in the 75th minute but was denied by Jabloteh goalkeeper Kevin Dodds who guided the well-struck 22-yard free-kick onto the crossbar and behind for a corner.
However Defence Force doubled the advantage, 2-0, by the 86th minute when Russell Jr. smashed in substitute Kerry Joseph corner at the back post, and his celebrations included his customary hug of father and head coach, Ross Russell.
In the end, Army doing well to find the back of the net twice while keeping Jabloteh and this season’s leading league goalscorer Kerry Baptiste (7 goals) at bay.
Baptiste's best openings of the match came in the 90th minute and wasn't his usual form; first slicing a Lemuel Lyons’ cross with an acrobatic attempt, and on the follow-up cross by Nyron Jones, Baptiste missed an attempted header.
Round One Match Day Eight continues on Saturday with in-perfect-form league leaders DIRECTV W Connection (18 points), fresh from Wednesday's 6-5 penalty win following a 2-2 draw in the Trophy Final against town rivals Central FC, traveling to the Hasely Crawford Stadium to face sixth positioned Caledonia AIA (8 points) from 8pm.
Earlier, the seventh positioned Central (8 points) will host bottom of the table St. Ann's Rangers (3 points) from 5pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
Fifth positioned Point Fortin Civic, with 9 points from seven matches, are on the bye, and will return to action when the league resumes on January 3, 2014 with Round One Match Day Nine.
Friday's Results
Police FC 1 - 0 North East Stars
Todd Ryan 31'
San Juan Jabloteh 0 - 2 Defence Force
Jerwyn Balthazar 44', Ross Russell Jr. 86'
Saturday's fixtures
Central FC vs St. Ann's Rangers - 5pm, Ato Boldon Stadium
Caledonia AIA vs W Connection - 8pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium
Teams
Police FC—18. Adrian Foncette, 21. Todd Ryan (capt.), 2. Jasimar Ashers, 4. Karlon Murray, 6. Kenaz Williams, 39. Joel Kevin Lewis (5. Anton Hutchinson 90th), 20. Elijah Belgrave (15. Jameel Perry 87th), 10. Trent Noel, 19. Christon Thomas, 17. Dexter Alleyne (Yellow Card), 8. Akiba Peters (26. Wendell Joseph 93rd)
Unused substitutes—31. Theon Browne (G), 1. Errol Charles, 12. Vernell Ramirez, 25. Kemron Purcell, 7. Brendon Christopher, 28. Aaron Stewart, 40. Jabari Williams
Coach—Richard Hood
North East Stars—22. Cleon John, 23. Kennedy Hinkson (4. Keithy Simpson 50th), 5. Aquil Selby, 6. Jeromie Williams, 41. Neveal Hackshaw (16. Neil Mitchell 73rd), 11. Anthony Wolfe, 19. Glenton Wolfe (C), 12. Jayson Joseph, 25. Keryn Navarro, 18. Kaashif Thomas (9. Akiel Guevara 46th), 7. Elijah Manners
Unused substitutes—1. Stephan Berkeley (G), 40. Jomoul Francois, 48. Jesus Perez, 49. Anthony Diaz
Coach—Angus Eve
Teams
San Juan Jabloteh—1. Kevin Dodds, 10. Kerry Baptiste (C), 6. Dario Holmes, 25. Alphie James (21. Lemuel Lyons 66th), 26. Keino Goodridge (18. Jevon Morris 46th), 12. Jamal Spencer, 17. Kerry Daniel, 20. Kevon Piper (9. Jelani Felix 62nd), 7. Rennie Britto, 16. Nyron Jones, 19. Dillon Kirton
Unused substitutes—22. Shane Hospidales, 11. Akel James, 4. Trevon Lester
Coach—Keith Jeffrey
Defence Force—1. Kevin Graham, 14. Corey Rivers (C), 4. Dave Long, 26. Richard Roy (10. Josimar Belgrave 65th), 11. Kevon Carter, 9. Devorn Jorsling (82. Curtly Dodds 89th), 6. Rodell Elcock, 8. Curtis Gonzales, 12. Jemel Sebro (23. Kerry Joseph 81st), 15. Jerwyn Balthazar, 17. Ross Russell Jr.
Unused substitutes—25. Sheldon Clarke, 7. Balondemu Julius, 13. Marvin Jones, 18. Sean Narcis
Coach—Ross Russell