North East, Jabloteh in leadership battle

Only one point separate the two clubs, with North East in fine form of late, particularly strikers Shandell Samuel (from St Vincent) and Nigel Codrington (from Guyana) and dreadlocked midfielders Marvin Oliver and Kendall Velox.

The Sangre Grande-based team, coached by Miguel Hackett, look as dominant as the 2004 outfit, who lifted the League trophy. But Jabloteh, under ex-England defender Terry Fenwick, have also been in sizzling form, especially national striker Anthony Wolfe, who have scored hat-tricks in the team’s last two matches.

Wolfe, who joined Jabloteh from North East during the off-season, will also be looking to spare no mercy on his former teammates as the league chase heats up.

There will be another match at Arima today, with mid-table outfits Superstar Rangers and Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA squaring off at 5pm.

While the North East-Jabloteh encounter will be eagerly anticipated, third-placed Joe Public and fourth-placed W Connection will be locked in battle at five o’clock at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.

The “Eastern Lions” held the lead for most of the season, until they were recently overtaken by North East and Jabloteh. Coached by ex-national goalkeeper Michael McComie, the Macoya-based squad will be looking for a win to maintain pressure on the top two.

Connection, on the other hand, have been put to the test by the top three teams. But the “Savonetta lads”, particularly long-standing coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier, know that only a series of positive results will ensure that the League crown remain in their hands for another year.

Two other matches are on the cards this evening, with Starworld Strikers opposing the cellar-placed Tobago United at Couva, from seven o’clock, while United Petrotrin hosts Defence Force an hour earlier at the Palo Seco Recreation Ground.