W Connection had full points in hand with a 4-2 over Police FC when the dust cleared on Saturday afternoon in Malabar.
Defence Force are atop the ladder with 24 points followed by defending champions Central FC (21 points) and North East Stars (20 points).
Police had themselves to blame, despite a gutsy comeback attempt at the Larry Gomes Stadium, and walked away sore losers, dropping one spot into fifth with 18 points.
Defender Karlon Murray stuck an own-goal after 2 minutes, and two minutes later it was his giveaway in the area that allowed Connection forward Shahdon Winchester to make it 2-0 with his 7th league goal and 11th in all competitions this season.
Winchester was also involved in the opening goal, when his throw-in played Aikim Andrews in to deliver a dangerous cross, which Murray, in an attempt to win the ball, headed down into his own net.
Makesi Lewis pulled a goal back on 27 minutes for Police, netting his 11th league after pounding in a rebound from close up.
Goalkeeper Julani Archibald, who later stood out as a hero for Connection with three huge stops in the late stages, was only able to parry a powerful effort from Police fullback Kevin Lewis and Makesi made full use of the chance.
Archibald redeemed himself on the stroke of half-time by putting a powerful Makesi strike behind for a corner.
By then Connection had already restored their two-goal lead with a 3-1 score.
Neil Benjamin Jr. produced Connection’s third item on 35 minutes when he blasted a right-footer into the roof of second choice Police goalkeeper Keinol Paul’s net. Benjamin, who was later replaced injured, was unleashed down the right by Winchester and the winger’s speed was too much for a Police chase.
It was not until 58 minutes that Police sliced Connection’s lead again for a 2-3 score when fullback Dexter Alleyne bundled the ball over the line after Archibald had kept out a Murray header on the goal-line.
The Lawmen were inches shy of levelling the scores but an ambitious 35-yard blast from defender Elijah Belgrave clipped the outer side of the upright to the relief of Connection.
Police mounted a few more late raids but Archibald made three late shutouts to keep Connection in front.
Then with nine minutes of regular time left, Connection midfielder Jomal Williams completed the 4-3 win with his 12th goal in all competitions this season.
Paul, who made an excellent save to deny Connection substitute Jamal Charles on 77 minutes, was unable to get glove on Jomal’s curling strike after the midfielder was fed free on the left by Gerard Williams to seal the win.
Results
Police FC 2 (Makesi Lewis 27’, Dexter Alleyne 58’) vs W Connection 4 (Own Goal 2’, Shahdon Winchester 4’, Neil Benjamin Jr. 35’, Jomal Williams 81’)
Teams
Police FC: 22.Keinol Paul; 4.Karlon Murray, 6.Jibri Mc David (7.Clevon Mc Fee 55th minute), 9.Makesi Lewis, 10.Kareem Freitas, 12.Kevin Lewis (16.Keon Wilson 73rd minute), 14.Kaaron Foster, 17.Dexter Alleyne, 19.Christon Thomas, 20.Elijah Belgrave, 21.Todd Ryan (Capt.) (5.Anton Hutchinson 64th minute)
Unused substitutes: 8.Kurdell Brathwaite, 13.Ricardo Peltier, 18.Dylon King, 3.Kadeem Boyce
Coach: Richard Hood
W Connection: 18.Julani Archibald; 2.Kurt Frederick, 3.Gerard Williams, 4.Maurice Ford, 9.Shahdon Winchester (21.Shannon Gomez 90th minute), 10.Jomal Williams, 11.Neil Benjamin Jr. (20.Jamal Charles 40th minute), 16.Alvin Jones (Capt.), 17.Aikim Andrews, 23.Kevon Goddard, 34.Jabari Mitchell (14.Andre Toussaint 46th minute)
Unused substitutes: 1.Terrence Lewis (GK), 12.Dimitrie Apai, 32.Isaiah Hudson, 35.Keston Julien
Coach: Stuart Charles Fevrier
Referee: Crystal Sobers
Upcoming Matches
Tuesday 19 January 2016
North East Stars vs St. Ann’s Rangers—3:30 pm, Larry Gomes Stadium
Police FC vs Morvant Caledonia United—6 pm, Marvin Lee Stadium
San Juan Jabloteh vs Defence Force—8 pm, Marvin Lee Stadium
Central FC vs Club Sando—6 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium
W Connection vs Point Fortin Civic—8 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium