W Connection seeks to reverse Defence Force mauling

Exactly two weeks after playing to its second draw of the campaign, runaway leader Defence Force will be looking to return to winning ways when it faces the defending champion DirecTV W Connection in the Digicel TT Pro League second round, match day six, at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya, from 8 pm.

The encounter will follow the double-header opener between rock-bottom T&TEC and fourth-positioned North East Stars, which is scheduled for kick off at 6 pm. 

Only one match will be played tomorrow, when Central FC and Caledonia AIA, both of which are off positive results, convene at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, from 5 pm.

The one other match, which was originally scheduled for Saturday between St Ann’s Rangers and Police FC, has been rescheduled for a date to be announced, due to the latter team’s heavy involvement in their professional duties throughout the Carnival season.

However, fans will have a keen contest to look forward to this evening between the clash of giants. Defence Force, which could only manage a 1-1 draw with Central FC at the beginning of the month, after securing seven straight wins, will be looking to swell its lead at the helm of the eight-team table, at least temporarily. 

A result similar to the one recorded in the final league match of 2012 will ensure Defence Force a nine-point gap between the top two teams. 

When last the two teams met in league action, the Teteron Boys walked away 5-1 winners courtesy a brace from national team striker and the league’s leading scorer Devorn Jorsling, along with solo items from Aklie Edwards and Josimar Belgrave. 

W Connection also conceded an own goal, while its only item of the match came from attacker Shahdon Winchester. 

Connection, however, will be without the services of Winchester who recently signed a one-year deal with Finnish club FF Jaro.

A win would put the reigning champion just a point behind Caledonia. However, despite the absence of several key players, Caledonia remains favourite to take full points when it travels to Couva to face Central FC.

Similar to Defence Force’s one-sided win over W Connection, when last the two teams met Caledonia humbled the league’s newcomer Central FC 5-2. 

Five different players were on target for the winner: Kareem Joseph, Radanfah Abu Bakr, Ataullah Guerra, Conrod Smith and Cornelius Stewart. Rundell Winchester and Tyrone Charles got the two goals for Central FC.

Caledonia, however, will be also be hampered this time around by the absence of several key players.

Most notably, Abu Bakr, a former national U-20 captain, along with Guyanese national Walter Moore, both secured moves to little known Kazakhstan. 

Central FC, meanwhile, which joined the league just before the start of the current campaign, may still be in the building phase, and its draw against the leader may well spur it on for another positive result in tomorrow’s key match.

Fixtures
 

Today
T&TEC v North East Stars, Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya, 6 pm
W Connection v Defence Force, Marvin Lee Stadium, 8 pm

Tomorrow
Central FC v Caledonia AIA, Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, 5 pm

NB—St Ann’s Rangers v Police FC has been rescheduled for a date to be announced.

Standings

Current Standings
Teams    Pld    W    D    L    F    A    Pts
Defence Force    12    9    2    1    37    14    29
Caledonia AIA    11    7    2    2    33    15    23
W Connection    11    5    4    2    20    11    19
North East Stars    11    4    5    2    14    10    17
Central FC    10    3    3    4    12    18    12
Police    12    2    4    6    12    19    10
Rangers    11    2    3    6    13    26    9
T&TEC    12    1    1    10    8    36    4​