Connection out Fire to stay in title chase

W CONNECTION reduced CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh’s lead atop the standings in the TT Pro League to eight points after a 3-0 triumph over the struggling Arima Fire at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, Arima yesterday. Both teams were expected to face off on August 13 but the match was postponed due to an absence of match officials. Fire failed to muster any realistic challenge on the star-studded Connection lineup yesterday, who remain second on the ten-team table on 28 points with a game in hand. Right-winger Ronaldo Viana opened the scoring after 62 minutes with fellow Brazilian, playmaker Gefferson Goulart, doubling the lead in the 75th.

The hosts tried valiantly to save face against the Connection onslaught, but the Savonetta lads sealed victory in injury time through St Lucian forward Earl Jean. In the first match of the double-header, Connection tore the Fire defence to shreads in their Under-20 battle, coming away with a 9-2 win in front of a sparse crowd. Dreadlocked striker Jason Marcano slammed five goals with Akil Pierre, Kyle Cupid, Gorean “Mickey Rat” Highley and Roderick Anthony scoring one apiece for Connection, while Darryl Toussaint netted a double for the battered hosts. And, in another rescheduled Under-20 match yesterday, Jabloteh widened their lead on the standings to five points over South Starworld Strikers after beating Defence Force 3-1 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. Among the scorers for Jabloteh were national youth striker Jerol Forbes, captain Ricardo Bennett and an own goal from Joel James while Kerry Joseph found the back of the net for the Army-Coast Guard combination. A full slate of matches will be held on Sunday.