Matura blank Santa Rosa in Premiership

This game was contested at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima.

With the result, Santa Rosa’s lead over second-placed Defence Force has been trimmed to four points, with two days of action remaining.

However Defence Force, the 2015-2016 champions, dropped crucial points on Sunday when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Petrotrin Palo Seco at the Palo Seco Velodrome.

Santa Rosa top the standings with 48 points, followed by Defence Force on 44 and Club Sando Moruga on 39.

At the Larry Gomes Stadium, Matura raced to a three-goal lead with goals from Shervin Charles (32nd minute), Joel Hoyte (36th) and Vincent (49th).

Santa Rosa offered a mini-rally, with Rashad Griffith (57th) and Keston Henry (61st) reducing the deficit to 3-2. But Santa Rosa were unable to get the game-leveller, as Vincent got his second, and his team’s fourth, in the 82nd.

At Palo Seco, the Army-Coast Guard combination went two goals up with items from Stephan Antoine (23rd) and Akil Morris (35th). Tigana Sparks pulled one back in the 80th before Brent Garcia proved to be the hero for the hosts when he netted in the 82nd.

In the day’s most lop-sided return, WASA trounced Bethel United 6-0 at the WASA Ground in St Joseph.

After an own goal broke the deadlock in the 18th, WASA took advantage of their struggling opponents, with items from Nathan Julien (40th), Kirth Hutchinson (42nd), former national striker Gary Glasgow (52nd), Dwight Crichlow (65th) and Glen Walker (90th).

Fourth-placed Guaya United earned a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Siparia Spurs at the New Lands Ground in Guayaguayare.

Andy London netted for Siparia in the 21st before Jody Allsop equalised in the 39th.

Kevin Jagdeosingh put the game beyond reach of Siparia, with strikes in the 45th and 78th.

Also registering a crucial victory were Queen’s Park, who moved up one spot to 12th after a 2-0 win over the table-proppers Marabella Family Crisis Centre at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre.

Jared Bennett (19th) and Kevaughn John (76th) were on target for the visitors.

Former TT midfielder Marvin Oliver struck in the 58th as Real Maracas edged Police 1-0 at the Maracas Valley Recreation Ground in St Joseph.

There was a dramatic ending to the Club Sando Moruga-1976 FC Phoenix encounter at the Grand Chemin Recreation Ground in Moruga, as the hosts got two goals in second half stoppage to earn a share of the points.

Phoenix’s veteran striker Dominique Kerr put Phoenix 2-0 ahead with strikes in the second and 75th but Moruga did not lie down and die. Kyle Morgan pulled one back in the first minute of stoppage time and Nigel John got the game-leveller, two minutes later.