Nixon scores double in N/East win

Second-placed Jabloteh failed to narrow the ten-point gap between themselves and runaway leaders W Connection, whose scheduled fixture against Tobago United, at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet was cancelled as the ‘Savonetta lads’ failed to make the trip to the sister isle due to flight problems.

Nixon, who have missed the majority of the season due to a persistent knee injury, gave North East a 26th minute lead, capitalising on a lapse by the Jabloteh defence and shooting past national goalkeeper Daurance Williams.

And Williams was at fault in the 47th, with a sliding tackle on a one-and-one opportunity with fellow national player Anthony Wolfe.

He brought down Wolfe heavily in his penalty area resulting in a North/East penalty kick, which Nixon blasted past Williams.

Jabloteh did not lay down and die, as they got a lifeline in the 64th, when an unmarked Josh Johnson collected a left-side centre from Aurtis Whitley and drilled his shot past a stranded ‘keeper Trevor Nottingham.

Whitley, looking to impress national assistant coaches Theo De Jonk and Whim Rhizerburg who were among the sparse crowd, had a chance to level the scores eight minutes later, after referee Patrick Hunte awarded a penalty when defender Kern Thomas inadvertently handled a Nigel Daniel corner. But Whitley could only look on in disbelief when his spot-kick rebounded from a post.

And, in the 89th, hard-working Jabloteh defender Dexter Franklyn powered his header, from a Johnson corner, against the bar and the rebound was scrambled off the line by North/East Davidson Neptune.

With Defence Force idle, Caledonia AIA/Fire jumped to third spot with an easy 3-0 triumph over United Petrotrin at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima. Alvis Diaz Faure put AIA/Fire in front in the 44th, and with goals from Abdullah Phillips in the 74th and Handel Manswell two minutes later, they secured the win.