CLICO Jabloteh sounds warning

Jabloteh produced a workmanlike performance against the debutants spearheaded by last season’s Golden Boot and Striker of the Year, Peter Byers scored a brace as Jabloteh raced to a 3- 0 lead at the interval.

The Antiguan forward found the back of the net from as early as the seventh minute with Trent Noel adding with a superb effort in the 20th to double the lead. Byers notched his second item in the 25th to give the defending champions a 3-0 cushion going into the second period.

Ma Pau were unable to find their rhythm in the game and were lucky to get on the score sheet when Karlon Murray scored an own goal in the 63rd. Ma Pau is being managed by Ron La Forest and replaced Police as the tenth team in the Pro League.

Meanwhile, title favourites W Connection scored two late goals to crush Tobago United 4-1 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. Tobago has been traditionally one of the “table-proppers” but were in contention to force a draw with just six minutes remaining in regulation time.

The skilful left-footed Andrei Pacheco put Connection in front with a goal in the 21st and Douglas Da Costa doubled the advantage with a well-worked goal in the 40th. But Tobago pulled one back on the stroke of halftime courtesy veteran player Collie Hercules to halve the deficit and set up an interesting second period.

And with Tobago pushing forward for the equaliser Kerron Smith broke their hearts with a goal in the 84th and Ateba Mc Knight struck again to complete a flattering 4-1 victory. At the Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima, former national under- 17 striker Jerol Forbes bagged a double to lead United Petrotrin to a 3-1 win defeat of North East Stars. Kennedy Hinkson put the visitors ahead with a penalty kick in the 31st and Forbes made it 3-0 with a pair in the 38th and 52nd. And former Petrotrin player Sylvester Teesdale scored against his ex-team with a consolation goal for the Stars five minutes from the end of regulation time. The other matches scheduled to play yesterday were Caledonia AIA versus St Ann’s Rangers and Defence Force against the Eastern Lions Joe Public.