Highley hat-trick guides Connection

TOP Trinidad and Tobago youth team striker Gorean Highley netted a hat-trick to guide W Connection to a 5-2 victory over Defence Force in their sixth round clash of the TT Pro League Under-20 Division on Thursday. The sprinkling of fans at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Balmain, Couva hardly settled to their seats when Highley opened the scoring in the fifth minute. Kerry Joseph equalised for the Army-Coast Guard combination in the 33rd minute but Highley completed his treble on either side of the half — in the 44th and 47th minutes.

Jerron Johnson got Connection’s fourth in the 54th before striker Keon Trim reduced D/Force’s deficit to 4-2 with a 64th minute item. But Connection’s win was secured when Aaron Downing found the target in the 72nd. Though they remain in second spot, Connection’s fifth victory of the season pushed them up to 15 points, one behind leaders CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh who were held to a 1-1 draw by Starworld Strikers at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on Friday. Former national youth team forward Jerol Forbes gave Jabloteh a 16th minute lead before Sadiki Stewart equalised for Starworld in the 35th.

North East Stars maintained third position following a nail-biting 2-1 win over Tobago United at the Sangre Grande Recreation Grounds on Saturday. Ex-Joe Public striker Ochieng Abosi put North East in front after 18 minutes but Yohann Roberts levelled the scores for the Tobagonians in the 70th. But, with seconds ticking, Keston Pierre proved to be the hero for the hosts, scoring the winner in the 89th. And, in the other sixth round matchup, Arima/Morvant Fire eked out a 1-0 win over South West Drillers at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, Arima on Thursday courtesy a 68th minute strike from Devon Modeste. Matches in both the Under-14 and U-16 Divisions were staged on Saturday with Jabloteh overtaking Connection for the U-14 lead while Fire remains at the helm of the U-16s.

RESULTS:
Under-14: NORTH EAST STARS (2) vs DEFENCE FORCE (0); ARIMA/MORVANT FIRE (2) — Chad De Freitas 2 vs STARWORLD STRIKERS (1) — Makini Joseph; SAN JUAN JABLOTEH (2) vs W CONNECTION (0).
Under-16: DEFENCE FORCE (4) — Sherron Joseph 2, Marcus Baptiste, Kwesi Bruno vs NORTH EAST STARS (0); ARIMA/MORVANT FIRE (4) — Akim Armstrong, Keron Ross, Marvin James, Kevon Piper vs STARWORLD STRIKERS (0); W CONNECTION (3) — Keron Smith, Dwane Thompson, Kurt Williams vs SAN JUAN JABLOTEH (2) — Jonathan Romain, Shastri Spencer.