Winchester heads Central FC to Pro League three-peat

A 40th minute header by Rundell Winchester, off a Darren Mitchell cross, gave Central FC the narrow victory. The victory meant Central finished on 47 points, one point ahead of W Connection.

W Connection played simultaneously against Ma Pau Stars, but a 2-0 win at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella for W Connection was only good enough for second place. Getting the goals for W Connection were Jamal Charles and Hughtun Hector.

After the match Central FC coach Dale Saunders said he always knew his team could clinch the title. Saunders said, “No concern, I always believed. Great effort from the staff, I want to give God all the glory because without God it would not be possible.

The staff, fantastic job, my back room staff, it was a tremendous effort from everyone. The players knew how important today was and they got the job done, we showed why we are a champion team.” Central FC had to endure some pressure from San Juan Jabloteh in the final 10 minutes of the match. Saunders said, “It is what it is, that is how football is, but at the end of the day we have what it takes to win it.” Jabloteh got the first decent chance on goal, but a header from a corner kick went wide, failing to test Central FC goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams in the eighth minute.

Minutes later Central FC got their first solid chance on goal, but Leston Paul volleyed wide from the top of the 18-yard box.

After a cagey opening 15 minutes, Central FC started to control the flow of the match but failed to create many chances on goal as the final pass let down Central FC on a couple occasions.

Jabloteh was happy to hit Central FC on the counter attack, but just before halftime the “Couva Sharks” found the breakthrough.

Mitchell, who troubled the Jabloteh defenders all afternoon, found the diving Winchester who headed home from close range from a left side cross.

It was a balanced contest in the second half with Jabloteh’s Tyrone Charles getting one of the best chances.

After receiving a through ball, Charles could not hit the target midway through the second half. Central FC started to live dangerously as a freekick from Charles went across the face of the goal but no Jabloteh player could capitalise.

As time started to expire the pressure on the Central goal started to increase with Jamal Gay among the players battling for an equaliser.

With minutes left Central FC seemed contented for the 1-0 win as they tried to take precious time of the clock. An injury to Paul in the dying moments ran some more time of the clock and the final whistle sounded to hand Central the victory.

After the win Williams said the three titles were all significant, but this title was a great feeling because Central FC had to endure many obstacles during the season.

Williams said, “All were very important, but I think this one is extra special because of the amount of adversity we had to face throughout the season. We lost players, we got new players, we had issues with staff, we had issues within the team itself.

This shows the strength of the organisation, the strength of the management team, the strength of the coach and the strength of the players.”