Defence Force, Connection register narrow victories

Jerwyn Balthazar handed Defence Force an early item which the Teteron Boys held on to for victory against a determined, but unlucky Police outfit at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Then, in the second game, new Connection signing Marcus “Lobo” Joseph snatched the winner at the death as the “Savonetta Boys” narrowly avoided an opening draw.

Joseph, who was denied no less than five times on the night by Rangers goalkeeper Cleon John, including a brilliant reflex save in the 65th minute to keep out a deflected free-kick, fired home the winner from the left.

The 35-year-old John had been hung out to dry by his defence which had given their all to the Rangers shirt but collapsed on a raid that saw Joseph, a former Central FC and Point Fortin Civic forward, move free inside the area to capitalise in the 89th minute.

John wasn’t flattened though.

The former Trinidad and Tobago shot-stopper made three more saves - his last to match a stoppage- time strike by Joseph.

Rangers, coached by Anthony Streete and boasting a few new additions, and Connection, currently managed by assistant Earl Jean with coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier away on international duty with the Trinidad and Tobago men’s team, looked like two well-oiled teams, providing an excellent contest from the first whistle.

Rangers had two penalty shouts -- the clearer of them when forward Anselm “Worm” Jackson went down under a challenge by Connection right-back Shaquille Bertrand two minutes from the break -- but referee Keilon Bacchus bought none of it.

A tug on Joshua Leach, prohibiting the substitute attacker a chance at goal, also seemed enough to win Police a penalty with less than 10 minutes left in the earlier game. But that game’s referee Marlon Perouse, nor his assistant, didn’t feel that way.

Police’s luck was clearly against them, while Defence Force had to work their socks off to preserve a narrow advantage.

Sheldon Clarke, between the uprights for Defence Force, failed to stop an Elijah Belgrave free kick on 57 minutes, but the ball ricocheted off both uprights before allowing ‘keeper a safe gather on the second attempt.

The Richard Hood coached-Lawmen, like their Marvin Gordon-coached counterparts, weren’t as lively as the game that followed. They were tactical though and a draw would have seemed a fair result between the two very experienced sides.

However Balthazar’s item in the third minute, after making contact to a free kick from the right, stood tall in the end, earning his side maximum three points.

(ttprolea gue.com )