Strikers surprise Jabloteh 2-1

W CONNECTION remained with a slim chance of dethroning CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh for the T&T Pro League title after yesterday’s full slate of matches in Round 34. The Savonetta lads overcame a determined Arima Fire outfit 2-1 at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, but leaders Jabloteh dropped three vital points at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, when they were surprisingly beaten 2-1 by South Starworld Strikers. Jabloteh with 83 points, now have a nine-point gap over Connection, who have a game in hand.

National Under-23 striker Devon Mitchell put Jabloteh in front in the 42nd before evergreen defender Wesley Webb equalised for Starworld two minutes later, and Jamaican forward Nicholas Addlery got the winner for the fourth-placed Starworld on the hour-mark. Another TT U-23 striker Kendall Davis netted the winner for Connection in the 86th minute after veteran Ashford Legerton equalised for the firemen in the 51st. Davis had earlier gaven Connection the lead in the 12th. Defence Force took 55 minutes to open the scoring against cellar-placed Tobago United at the Roxborough Sporting Complex. After Vincent Garcia’s initial strike however, the Army-Coast Guard combination netted three further goals to come away 4-0 winners, with goals from Owen Matthews (79th) and a double from Balondemu Julius (82nd and 90th).

Also joining the goal-fest were “Eastern Lions” Joe Public who thrashed SWIF 5-2 at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya, Tunapuna. Ochieng Abosi (9th and 61st) and Derek King (56th and 70th) netted two apiece for the Lions, while goalkeeper-cum-midfielder Michael McComie got the fifth in the 84th.  Makisi Peters (14th) and Carlington Daniel (85th) got consolation goals for the Southerners. But North East Stars had only themselves to blame allowing a two-goal lead to slip in a 2-2 draw with “The Stallions” Caledonia AIA at the Sangre Grande Recreation Ground. Prolific Guyanese striker Randolph Jerome gave the hosts a 2-0 advantage, after strikes in the 13th and 36th minutes, before ex-N/East forward Nigel Hart pulled back one in the 64th. And, with four minutes to go, Vladimir Henderson got the equaliser for Caledonia.