Central rise to Pro League summit

With overnight leader North East Stars held to a 1-1 draw by Police in the latter contest, the recently-formed Central FC is the only team among the competition’s eight who possesses a 100 percent record.

Both matches took place in the afternoon due to floodlight problems at the ground but the teams on show proved that they would be able to hold their own against the more fancied teams – reigning champs W Connection, Caledonia AIA and Defence Force.

TTEC’s captain Keeron Benito gave his team a 35th minute lead but Central FC replied with strikes from Tyrone Charles (57th) and captain Anthony Wolfe (75th).

Police were Central FC’s first victims last week, and the lawmen were facing a tough task against previous league leader North East.

However, Police went in front after 23 minutes after a neat buildup – Kareem Perry, on the right by-line, slipped the ball to Dexter Alleyne whose cross was wonderfully headed home by forward Jameel Perry, past the stunned Adrian Foncette in the North East goal.

North East’s coach Angus Eve vented his fury at referee Rodphin Harris moments later, following a tackle on winger Micah Lewis by Police defender Weslie John in the penalty box, while Lewis was carded for protestation.

But Lewis, in the 39th minute, was involved in a move which resulted in a penalty for North East. Lewis sent in a cross from the right flank to veteran Gary Glasgow but his back-heel struck the right arm of Karlon Murray.

Another veteran TT player, Cornell Glen, sent goalkeeper Emmanuel Nurse the wrong way with the spot-kick. Both teams fought tooth and nail in the second half for the game-winning goal but none was forthcoming.

Right-back Jevon Morris, one of the many new inclusions in the Police squad, had a rough time in the first half but he nearly made amends in the 51st, with a diagonal run from the flank and a low left-footer which struck the uprights and went out of play. Foncette’s goal frame was struck once more, in the 77 th, as Kareem Perry’s surging run from the right resulting in a low left-footed effort which cannoned off the left post.

And, in the 89th, North East suffered similar misfortune, when substitute forward Kaydion Gabriel received a through ball from Kashif Thomas and drilled his right-footer against the post, with Nurse holding the rebound.