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Fri, Mar

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DIRECTV W Connection on Saturday needed an early second half Joevin Jones' goal to overcome Police FC 1-0 at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

 

And in the second match of the Digicel Pro League Round One Match Day Two double header at the Couva venue, Central FC and Caledonia play goalless draw.

The results saw Connection (6 points) return to the top of the standings, with a better goal difference than Point Fortin Civic (6 points) which edged North East Stars 1-0 on Friday night at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

Behind them are the unbeaten Central (4 points) in third, Stars and San Juan Jabloteh in fourth and fifth respectively with 3 points, Caledonia in sixth with 1 point, and defending champions Defence Force (receiving the bye on the weekend), Police and St. Ann's Rangers are all at the bottom without a point.

Rangers were the sorest of losers on the weekend, when the St. Ann's club allowed Jabloteh to flip a 4-1 deficit into a 6-5 win in the first match of Friday's double header at the Port of Spain venue.

On Saturday, Jones, wearing the captain's armband this season, completed a quick Connection counterattack in the 49th minute to give his side a 1-0 advantage, and what turned out the match winner.

The 22 year-old Trinidad and Tobago player collected a Jomal Williams pass inside the area and slipped the ball through the legs of a fully-spread goalkeeper Adrian Foncette who only managed to get a bit of leg to the ball.

But it wasn't such a bad night for Police, with a generally improved showing from last weekend's 4-1 defeat against Point Fortin Civic.

Connection, which hammered Rangers 7-0 last weekend, were limited by the "lawmen".

It was only until the 20th minute that Kurt Frederick, scorer of a hat-trick against Rangers, was a bit more ambitious than his teammates in the opening stages, when he turned into the area and had a right footed effort just wide.

Two minutes later on the opposite end, Police forward Elijah Belgrave had an opening, but his tame attempt at goal was easily wrapped by goalkeeper Alejandro Figueroa.

It was an opportunity to do much better after he was played into the area by Todd Ryan following Joel Kevin Lewis' win of the ball on the right.

Lewis had a go at goal himself in the 24th minute but Figueroa well positioned again for a comfortable take.

But it was Connection that had the best opening of the half in the 38th minute when Neil Benjamin Jr. returned a cross from the left to pick out Jones in the centre of the area, but goalkeeper Adrian Foncette was brilliant in gloving out the midfielder's effort for a corner.

Even after Jones' winning item four minutes inside the second period, Police, with Karlon Murray in the heart of defense, and Trent Noel and Todd Ryan muscling the midfield, managed to restrain the "Savonnetta Boys" for the remaining period.

Connection had one real crack at goal from midfielder Gerard Williams which flashed overbar from 25 yards out in the 83rd minute, and a wide effort by substitute Jamal Clarence near the end.

The second match between Central and Caledonia was intensely contested, which contributed to the score-line.

Caledonia's league debuting front-man Kithson "Bully" Bain seemed to have walked into the butcher's shop against Central defender Jamal Jack, who showed no mercy against the Grenada international who was replaced by Jamal Gay in the 65th minute.

Caledonia, just as Connection, coming off disappointing Concacaf Champions League results during the week, failed to put Central goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams into any real action.

While the Terry Fenwick coached-Central failed to make the best of their chances.

In the 45th minute 19 year-old striker Dwight Quintero was picked out by a Darren Mitchell cross from the left, but his header was overbar.

And five minutes into the second period, a right side free-kick by Jason Marcano, following a foul on Quintero by Nuru Abdullah Muhammad, was missed by three diving Central players around the six yard area.

Mitchell later had a wide effort in the 78th minute and veteran midfielder Marvin Oliver headed a Marcano corner wide of the far post a minute from time.

Results

W Connection 1 - 0 Police FC
Joevin Jones 49'

Teams

W Connection - 21. Alejandro Figueroa, 10. Joevin Jones (C), 2. Kurt Frederick, 3. Gerard Williams 4. Daneil Cyrus, 6. Celio Da Silva Santos (14. Hashim Arcia 46th), 65. Neil Benjamin Jr., 24. Joao Ananias Jordao Jr. (25. Christian Ocoro Viveros 70th), 26. Stefano Rijssel (17. Jamal Clarence 46th), 40. Jomal Williams (Yellow Card), 15. Mekeil Williams.

Unused substitutes - 18. Julani Archibald, 7. Silvio Spann, 28. Yhon Stiven Lopez, 39. Alvin Jones.

Coach - Stuart Charles Fevrier.

Police FC—18. Adrian Foncette, 21. Todd Ryan, 4. Karlon Murray, 8. Akiba Peters, 2. Jasimar Ashers (Yellow Card), 6. Kenaz Williams, 10. Trent Noel, 38. Tafari Williams (19. Christon Thomas 74th), 39. Joel Kevin Lewis (11. Kareem Perry 70th), 20. Elijah Belgrave (15. Jameel Perry 78th), 25. Kemron Purcell.

Unused substitutes—31. Theon Browne (G), 27. Dwayne Salazar, 40. Jabari Williams, 9. Keon Quow.

Coach—Richard Hood.

Match Referee - Rodphin Harris.

Results

Central FC 0 - 0 Caledonia AIA.

Teams

Caledonia AIA - 33. Glenroy Samuel, 7. Stephan David (C), 2. Aubrey David, 3. Nuru Abdullah Muhammad (Yellow Card), 5. Akeem Thomas, 6.Marcus Ambrose (8. Keron Bethlemy 83rd), 12. Kareem Joseph, 11. Abdallah Phillips (9. Keyon Edwards 70th), 21. Densill Theobald, 27. Nathan Lewis, 10. Kithson Bain (23. Jamal Gay 65th).

Unused substitutes - 1. Shemel Louison (G), 24. Kevaughn Connell, 22. Miguel Alejandro Romeo, 20. Noel Williams.

Coach - Jamaal Shabazz.

Central FC - 21. Jan Michael Williams, 7. Jason Marcano (C), 2. Elton John, 3. Keion Goodridge, 9. Dwight Quintero (Toric Robinson 65th), 10. Marvin Oliver, 11. Darren Mitchell, 12. Jamal Jack, 13. Johan Peltier (16. Akil DeFreitus 76th), 17. Rundell Winchester, 24. Akeem Benjamin.

Unused substitutes - 25. Javon Sample (G), 4. Julio Noel, 15. Kaydion Gabriel, 22. Keon Trim, 23. Hector Sam.

Coach - Terry Fenwick.

Match Referee - Michael London.