Central a win from three-peat

The Couva Sharks returned to the top of the 2016-17 standings with one game day left and are a point ahead of rivals W Connection after showing all teeth and bite in a 6-0 romp against 10-man St Ann’s Rangers.

Kishun Seecharan scored on either side of the break and Darren Mitchell twice in the second half while Jason Marcano and Mickaeel Jem Gordon had a goal each in a display of domination by coach Dale Saunders’ side.

But it can turn into a sour end for Central (44 points) if they lose against third-positioned San Juan Jabloteh (29 points) in their final league game of the truncated season and Connection (43 points) win against Ma Pau Stars.

However, judging from their biggest win this term at this stage of the league competition and against a side that had not suffered such a heavy defeat all season, the Sharks seem equipped for the task ahead.

The 20-year-old Seecharan, who started in place of suspended winger Rundell Winchester, handed the Sharks the lead on 12 minutes with a fine left-footed strike beyond Rangers goalie Cleon John from 18 yards out. It was from a perfectly calibrated pass over the top from Marcano that allowed Seecharan to break the offside trap and enter the area with John at his mercy.

Rangers, although being without teenagers Rushawn Murphy, Kathon St. Hillaire, Micah Lansiquot and most notably Josh Toussaint who are all currently in a training camp in Columbia with the Trinidad and Tobago Under-20 squad, managed to head into the break with the narrow deficit thanks to some fine goalkeeping by John. Seecharan made it 2-0, completing his double in the 63rd-minute with a thunderous left-footed strike into the top corner of John’s net. “Block the left foot! Block the left foot!” John barked at his defenders as Seecharan made his way across the top of the box from the right. But a quick exchange and Seecharan was free to fire beyond the Rangers goalie.

Seecharan was offered a chance to complete his first professional hat-trick five minutes later, but skied his attempt from the penalty spot after former Central attacker Samuel Delice was ruled guilty of dragging down Mitchell inside the area.

It was the second penalty miss by Central on the afternoon after Marcano’s attempt from the spot on 20 minutes was kept out by John following defender Richard Williams’ foul on Kevon Villaroel.

Delice, who Rangers coach Anthony Streete had heavily depended on up front, had flared up at referee Crystal Sobers’ decision to point to the spot in the latter instance and a yellow card quickly turned into the red after he angrily kicked away the ball which flew in her direction.

Central, from then onwards, took control and added four more goals to Rangers’ miseries.

Marcano redeemed himself with a perfectly executed finish into the far bottom corner of John’s net fifteen minutes from time, before solo goals by Tobagonians Gordon and Mitchell from close up in the 79th and 80th minutes, respectively.

Mitchell, the Central captain, fittingly completed the rout in stoppage-time with a cool finish from just inside the six-yard area.

Also Saturday, Police defeated Defence Force 3-1.