‘Eastern Lions’ savage Police

“THE Eastern Lions” Joe Public ended the unbeaten run of leaders Police yesterday, whipping the lawmen 2-1 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, in the eighth round of the Sportworld Super League. But Police remain top of the table after their nearest challengers, Crab Connection and Superstar Rangers, played to a 2-2 draw at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Tunapuna. Police went ahead after five minutes via captain Jason Boodram but his opposite number, ex-Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Dale Saunders got Joe Public back on track in the 13th. The Lions took the lead in the 36th when a move involving Wolry Wolfe and Kwesi Peterson resulted in a pass to Brazilian Leandro Mancao who rifled his right-footer past goalkeeper Anthony Marshall.

Boodram muffed a good opportunity three minutes later when his right-footed effort hit the crossbar, while Wendell Joseph’s follow-up chance went wide. But Police were thwarted by the aggression of Joe Public in the second half, and failed to capitalise on their few efforts at goal. Powerfully-built striker Akudu Goodridge gave Rangers an 18th minute lead before Marvin Oliver levelled the scores three minutes later. Veteran attacker Warren Butler put “the Crab” in front in the 28th but Goodridge got the game-saving equaliser in the 63rd.

Angostura 1976 FC Phoenix remained fifth on the standings following a 2-1 victory over M&M Harvard at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, with goals by Kevin Keith (ninth) and Dominique Kerr (60th), while Christon Freitas got the lone effort for Harvard in the 76th. Stokely Vale recorded their first triumph of the season when they thrashed Maraval Youth Academy 3-0 at the Trinity College Ground, Moka, Maraval. Kayode Legall put the Tobago-based team ahead in the 56th while Sean Christmas and Michael Carrington added late strikes in the 86th and 88th minutes respectively. PLIPDECO Caroni staged a late comeback to earn a 2-2 draw against Couva Players United at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.

Kevin Adams broke the goalless deadlock in the match when he scored after 61 minutes while former national Under-23 forward Jason Marcano doubled Couva’s lead in the 69th. But Caroni, who have been inconsistent of late, responded in courageous fashion, with Kevin Joseph pulling one back in the 76th while Ryan Dipsingh equalised in the 88th. The scheduled encounter between WASA Clean & White and Media 21 FC was cancelled as the game officials ruled that the WASA Ground in St Joseph was unfit for play, following this weekend’s persistent rainfall.

Current standings:
 P W D L F A Pts
Police 8 6 1 1 16 7 19
Crab Connection 8 5 3 0 21 12 18
Joe Public 8 5 2 1 22 8 17
Superstar Rangers 8 5 2 1 20 11 17
Phoenix 8 5 0 3 14 12 15
WASA 7 3 1 3 8 8 10
Couva 8 2 3 3 16 17 9
Caroni 8 2 3 3 12 15 9
Harvard 8 2 1 5 9 11 7
Stokely Vale 8 1 1 6 11 24 4
Maraval 8 0 4 4 6 17 4
Media 21 FC 7 0 1 6 4 17 1