D/Force trounce AIA 5-1

In the feature game of the Round Two Match Day Three double-header at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella, Caledonia went ahead courtesy of Guyanese forward Sheldon Holder but Defence Force responded through an own goal by Kareem Joseph.

Jorsling netted a first half double, while Kevon Carter and Josimar Belgrave chipped in with one apiece as the league leaders cruised to victory, albeit against an AIA team missing a number of regulars due to a trial stint in Turkey.

Little-used players Holder, countryman Colin Nelson, forward Trevin Caesar as well as new additions Vurlon Mills (another Guyanese), fellow winger Qian Grovesnor and centre back Akeem Thomas were inserted in the starting line-up by coach Jerry Moe while other transfer-window acquisitions Shemel Louison, Elvis Thomas, Shemol Trimmingham and Miguel Romeo were on the bench.

AIA (without regulars Nuru Muhammad, Radanfah Abu Bakr, Walter Moore, Trayon Bobb, Densill Theobald, Ataullah Guerra and Jamal Gay), showed their intentions early when a trio of Guyanese set up their first chance. In the fourth minute, left-back Aubrey David (who plays for TT) sent a throw to Holder who relayed the ball to Mills but the ex-Santa Rosa player powered his right-footer against the crossbar and out of play.

However, Holder broke the deadlock three minutes later, as he dispossessed full-back Rodell Elcock and placed his left-footer beyond the reach of goalkeeper Kevin Graham.

The lead lasted two minutes as Curtis Gonzales’ intended ball to Carter saw right-back Joseph leap and head his attempted clearance over his goalie Glenroy Samuel and into the back of the net.

Gonzales nearly turned villain as his lazy back-pass was pounced on by Holder and it needed an alert Graham to prevent Caledonia from restoring their lead.

Slowly Defence Force started to hit their strides, and with Keston Williams and Jerwyn Balthazar dictating terms in the middle, they took firm control of proceedings.

Referee Neal Brizan awarded a penalty in the 16th minute when Jorsling collected Williams’ pass and was brought down by Nelson, and Jorsling sent Samuel the wrong way with his spot-kick.

Balthazar’s excellent diagonal ball picked out Aklie Edwards on the left and the ex-TT wing-back sent a neat ball behind Samuel where an alert Jorsling side-footed home in the 26th.

Williams, who had a good game, was taken off shortly afterwards with a thigh injury but Defence Force did not miss a beat, and they registered their fourth in the 43rd.

Balthazar and Jemel Sebro traded passes on the right before Balthazar’s pass was bundled home by Carter, coming in from the left.

Caesar tried to reduce the deficit with a one-on-one chance but he was denied by Graham, and that was as close as AIA came to scoring.

Defence Force noticeably relaxed, but they added one more to good measure, as Belgrave (Williams’ replacement) got a pass from Jorsling and finished home from close range.

Earlier at Couva, W Connection remained in third spot after a comfortable 2-0 win over St Ann’s Rangers.