Marcano fires Central past St Ann’s Rangers

Ann’s Rangers on Tuesday afternoon.

Central, although equipped with former English Premier League forward and current Trinidad and Tobago captain Kenwyne Jones, had to come from behind twice with the help of some luck at the Larry Gomes Stadium, before substitute Marcano grabbed the winner.

Central, unbeaten in the league and with 22 points from seven wins and one draw, moved back at the top, three points clear of rivals W Connection, who had temporarily hurdled Couva Sharks on goal-difference.

Elsewhere on Tuesday, a double from Akeem Roach gave Club Sando a much-needed 2-0 win over winless Point Fortin Civic at Mahaica Oval.

Roach netted in the 41st and 64th minutes against the bottom- placed Civic to lead the 2016-2017 DPL scoring chart with six goals, but more importantly moved the Angus Evecoached Sando one spot up into sixth on 10 points, one less than fifth-positioned Rangers, with only their third league win after eight games.

Rangers, led by ex-Sando coach Anthony Streete, had taken a 1-0 lead over Central in the 10th minute through forward Josh Toussaint, who broke the offside trap before firing into goalkeeper Javon Sample’s far netting.

But that lead was wiped out a minute later when Rangers defender Lester Durham launched the ball into his own net to make it 1-1 after a desperate clearance ahead of Central forward Marcus Joseph during a quick attack by the Couva Sharks on the restart.

Deservingly the St. Ann’s club grabbed the lead again through a wonderful solo goal by Jomoul Francois on 25 minutes— his third league goal of the season— for a 2-1 scoreline.

Rangers were denied another just over the hour mark by Sample who put over a Micah Lansiquot attempt.

However, defender Jameel Antoine’s arm - in the way of a powerful Joseph attempt - provided Central another helping hand, and referee Keilon Bacchus pointed to the penalty spot.

Joseph shouldered the responsibility and levelled the scores at 2-2 five minutes before the break with a thunderous left-footed strike to beat a fully-sprawled Christopher Biggette in goal for Rangers.

Kenwyne Jones had an excellent scoring chance just over the hour mark on a perfectly- placed Mickaeel Jem Gordon cross, but like less than two minutes into play, the 32-yearold former English Premier League player failed to put his effort on target.

Coach Dale Saunders’ side finally got the breakthrough in the 83rd minute thanks to the combined effort of substitutes Kishun Seecharan and Marcano.

Seecharan weaved himself into the right of the area before passing to Marcano, and the veteran attacker lifted his strike beyond Biggette and into the far netting to earn Central the 3-2 victory.

Seecharan later had a go at goal himself but Biggette, who acrobatically denied Keron Cummings in the 53rd minute, was equal to the task.

Central return to league play on Friday against third-placed San Juan Jabloteh from 6pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

The contest will provide the appetiser for the main event which will see Defence Force take on Ma Pau Stars in the final of the 2016 First Citizens Cup from 8pm.