Benjamin fires Connection to comfortable 5-1 win

Neil Benjamin scored three times on Saturday, to lead this season’s scorers’ list with seven goals, as Connection hammered cellar-placed MIC-IT St Ann’s Rangers 5-1 — a result that put coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier’s side ahead of Sando albeit only on ‘Goals For’ (18-15).

The top, though, could shuffle again by next Friday when North East Stars, who tilted Connection for the lead on July 29, take on three-time defending champions Central FC in a highly anticipated rescheduled fixture from 8 pm at the Arima Velodrome. For now, however, in descending order, Connection, Sando and North East Stars (the latter with 16 points and two games in hand) occupy top three, while San Juan Jabloteh (10 points) and Central (nine points), in fourth and fifth respectively with three games in hand, will face each other tomorrow from 6 pm at Barataria Oval.

Benjamin fired Connection ahead in the 28th minute after powering into the right of the box at the St Augustine Secondary School Ground, only to see Rangers level it a minute later through Xae Pierre De Fou, whose shot ricocheted off the post and two defenders before finding the back of goalkeeper Julani Archibald’s net.

Connection argued with referee Marlon Peruse that right full-back Alvin Jones’ shot had found a hole in the upper netting three minutes from the half, but video relay confirmed the official’s decision that the ball flew over bar with goalkeeper Biggette making an excellent save with his legs.

Biggette was exposed again three minutes into the second half but Marcus Joseph, free inside the box, headed wide of the upright off a right side Benjamin cross.

But by the time Trinidad and Tobago Under-20 attacker Isaiah Hudson celebrated his first ever top-flight Connection goal in the 61st minute, the visitors were in full control and later completed their fifth win of the season after dropping points in the last three outings.

Hudson beat Biggette with a low drive from inside the left of the area to give Connection a 2-1 lead. Benjamin then made it 3-1 in the 70th minute with a half volley past Biggette for his second on the afternoon after controlling substitute Jameel Antoine’s feed into the area.

Rangers defence were no match again in the 80th minute when their former player Antoine started and completed an attack, finding the ceiling of Biggette’s net for his first Connection goal. Ironically Antoine’s previous goal was for Rangers in a 3-3 draw with Club Sando on February 3. Two minutes later another Connection substitute Daniel Diaz, who assisted in Antoine’s goal, hit wide with the goal at his mercy.

But the diminutive attacker redeemed himself with a strong run into the Rangers area to set up Benjamin for a simple tap in—the latter completing his hat-trick six minutes from time.