Defence Force batter Point Fortin Civic

This was only the third win of the 2016-2017 league season for the struggling Army-Coast Guard combination, and they remain in eighth place with 10 points. But they feasted on a Point Fortin team who have gathered just one point from nine matches.

A trio of ex-national players got on the scoresheet for Defene Force – midfielder Hashim Arcia (14th, 59th and 61st minutes), striker Devorn Jorsling (first and 64th) and winger Jemel Sebro (38th and 45th).

Jamille Boatswain netted both goals for the table-proppers, in the 71st and 82nd.

W Connection remained in second spot with 22 points, three adrift of leaders Central FC, after a comfortable 4-2 win over Ma Pau Stars in the latter game at Couva.

Ma Pau Stars, runners-up in the First Citizens Cup, took a while to settle into proceedings, with Connection literally setting up camp on the offensive end.

Veteran Andre Toussaint struck the bar in the third minute, midfielder Daniel Diaz forced a magnificent save from Glenroy in the fifth and captain Hughtun Hector had a goal ruled out (in the absence of goal-line technology), though his shot seemed to have crossed the line after hitting the post in the eighth minute.

Eventually Connection broke the deadlock in the 14th, as Dimitrie Apai headed a wonderful diagonal ball from right-back Daneil Cyrus beyond Samuel’s reach.

With newly-installed national coach Tom Saintfiet in attendance, Connection went 2-0 up as the Surinamese Apai stripped the ball from right-back Keryn Navarro and curled his right-footer to the left of a leaping Samuel.

Former national striker Kerry Baptiste pulled one back in the 31st, from the penalty spot, after another ex-TT player Anthony Wolfe was fouled by goalie Terrence Lewis.

Hector restored Connection’s two goal advantage on the hourmark, starting and finishing a counter-attacking move involving Apai, while the ex-national midfielder got his second in the 67th, taking a pass from Kurt Frederick and slotting home a right-footer. Substitute Sayid Freitas got on the scoresheet for Ma Pau Stars, in added-on time, pouncing on a loose ball and hitting home from close range.