Central maintain top spot in Pro League

With the result, Central are on 32 points, three more than 2013-2014 champs W Connection, as the title race continues.

Central broke the deadlock in the 17th minute, when Jason Marcano met a centre from right-back Kaydion Gabriel and placed his header past goalkeeper Stefan Berkeley.

The normally defensive-minded North East could have equalised ten minutes later, when Keryn Navarro, playing in the unfamiliar role as central midfielder, drilled a 30-metre shot which was tipped overbar by national and Central keeper Jan-Michael Williams.

The travelling band of Central supporters showed no mercy on Stars’ coach Angus Eve, as they repeatedly sang, “Angus, we have a message for you, we’re going to win the League.”

Moments later, central defender Jamal Jack, unmarked in the penalty box, rose to head Elton John’s freekick overbar.

But forward Willis Plaza notched the second strike in the 36th, as he collected a long ball from the back, used strike partner Dwight Quintero as a decoy as he saw defender Glenton Wolfe backing off and fired home a right-footed item to the right of Berkeley.

And, two minutes later, Gabriel scored from a similar angle — the overlapping right-back was picked out by Plaza and he angled his shot past the stranded goalie.

The Central fans turned up the volume, singing, “que sera sera, we’re going to give North East three, because we’re Central FC, que sera sera.”

The second half saw Central maintain their defensive composure, as North East offered little in offence.

Veteran Marvin Oliver saw his 62nd minute penalty saved by Berkeley, diving to his left, after Quintero was tripped in the box by the goalie.

Earlier at Macoya, San Juan Jabloteh and Caledonia AIA battled to a 1-1 draw.

Caledonia took the lead in the 58th minute, when a neat exchange involving Pernell Schultz, Nathan Lewis and Domini Garnett resulted in a cross from Lewis on the left, which was partially cleared by left-back Calib Sturge and Garnett was on hand to poke home, to the right of goalie Shane Mattis.

But Jabloteh earned a share of the points in the 86th, when striker Tyrone Charles got a through ball from substitute Andell Noray, shook off the challenge of captain Kareem Joseph and slotted his left-footer beyond the reach of keeper Shemel Louison.

The other two games on Friday ended with 2-1 victories for Connection and Point Fortin Civic respectively.

Connection took care of Police with items from Jerrel Britto (21st) and Alvin Jones (27th), while Kareem Freitas got the consolation item for the lawmen in the 45th.

And Point Fortin continued their resurgence under recently-appointed coach Leroy De Leon, as they notched their third win on the trot, against Defence Force.

Jerwyn Balthazar put Defence Force in front after nine minutes but former national midfielder Marcus Joseph equalised in the 45th and Akeem Redhead netted the winner in the 58th.

Round Two Match Day Eight action will take place on Tuesday.