Rangers cage Lions in Super League upset

The Eastern Lions, fielding ex-national players Derek King, Hollis Brown, Dale Saunders and Lyndon ‘Chubby’ Andrews, as well as St Vincent goalkeeper Melvin Andrews, in their starting lineup, only had themselves to blame as they allowed victory to slip from their grasp against the plucky Rangers outfit.

In fact, Rangers were reduced to 10 players after 30 minutes, following the dismissal of midfielder Kerwin Cooper, but they did not allow the setback to deter them from their aim.

Striker Rafer Ross failed to put Rangers ahead in the 28th, when his right-footed effort hit the crossbar and rebounded into play.

Against the run of play, Joe Public went ahead in the 34th, when striker Carlington Smith met a left-side centre from Brown and buried his header beyond the reach of goalie Jason Bowen.

Rangers levelled the scores on the hour-mark, when captain Colin Roberts drilled his 30-metre freekick past a flat-footed Andrews.

Ex-Defence Force forward Akudu Goodridge notched the winner in the 81st when, on a counter-attack from a failed Joe Public corner, Todd Ryan found a goalbound Josimar Belgrave who, under pressure from Andrews, fed Goodridge who calmly placed his 30 metre right-footer home. In the first match at Mucurapo, ex-national Under-23 forward Jason Marcano netted a pair as Couva Players United battled to a nail-biting 3-3 draw against Maraval Youth Academy.

Marcano found the back of the net in the second minute, with Quami Knight doubling the advantage in the 14th.

But Maraval staged a resurgence and claimed the lead courtesy of an 83rd minute own goal.

In between, Dustin Felician was on target in the 23rd while Clinton Corbin got the equaliser in the 63rd.

There was more drama to follow however, as Marcano netted in stoppage time as Couva earned a share of the points.

Other results: At WASA Ground: M&M HARVARD (1) - Kristo Freitas 81st vs WASA CLEAN & WHITE (0).

At Bourg Mulatresse: CRAB CONNECTION (2) - Jason Sampson 11th, Marvin Oliver 64th vs POLICE (2) - Kareem Joseph 58th, Jason Boodram 61st.

At Larry Gomes Stadium: ANGOSTURA 1976 FC PHOENIX (3) - Lejandro Williams 11th & 20th, Rackley Joseph 73rd vs MEDIA 21 FC (1) - Junior Waldron 47th.

At Gilbert Park: PLIPDECO CARONI (2) - Kyle Cupid 28th & 86th vs STOKELY VALE (2) - Warren Phillips 69th, Darron Williams 70th.