D/Force, Caledonia clash at Macoya

Wounded Digicel T&T Pro League leaders Defence Force and rival Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA will clash in a key top-of-table encounter today at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya, from 8 pm. 

Going into tonight’s encounter, their third league meeting of the season and fourth overall for the 2012/2013 Pro League season, Defence Force leads the eight-team table with 36 points from 16 matches, four clear of Caledonia with both teams coming off losses to third-placed North East Stars.

A week ago, Stars edged Defence Force 1-0 at Macoya with Cornell Glen, a first-half scorer, while he also netted twice in the 3-1 come-from-behind whipping of Caledonia on Wednesday night at Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.

However, with five matches left to play for each team to complete their league campaign, both Defence Force, which had its 12-match league unbeaten run stopped in the loss, and Caledonia are still desperate for maximum points.

For the “Teteron Boys,” first choice goalkeeper Kevin Graham should return from injury and take his place ahead of Sheldon Clarke, while Caledonia will be without suspended striker Trevin Caesar.

So far this season, Caledonia, recent winners of the T&T Football Federation FA Trophy for a second straight year, has beaten Defence Force 4-2 in their first-round league clash and 2-1 in the First Citizens Cup final to also retain that crown, while the “Teteron Boys” registered a resounding 5-1 second-round league victory against the Morvant/Laventille-based club, which was without a few players due to overseas trials.

Two hours prior at Macoya, defending champions DirecTV W Connection has the opportunity to reclaim third spot on the standings with a third win from as many league meetings with St Ann’s Rangers.

On Wednesday night, Caledonia missed a chance to close the gap on Defence Force to one point after going under to Stars 3-1 in the first match of a Round Three Match Day One rescheduled double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.

Caledonia led 1-0 at the half thanks to a well-taken 12th-minute penalty by winger Kareem Joseph past goalkeeper Cleon John after referee Rodphin Harris had blown for a handled ball in the 18-yard box by a Stars player. 

The Jerry Moe-coached Caledonia came close to making it 2-0 through a deflected Densill Theobald in the 18th minute, while striker Keyon Edwards fired wide in the 38th. 

Seven minutes later, Stars almost drew level but Elijah Manners’ close range effort was blocked out by goalkeeper Shemel Louision after his defence failed to clear properly.

Against the run of play, Stars got even in the 55th minute when Glen’s strike ricocheted off the the post and took a fortuitous bounce off the back of Louison’s head and into the goal for a 1-1 score. 

The in form Stars striker was then replaced minutes later by veteran striker Gary Glasgow, who justified Eve’s decision by scoring a third item, hammering a rebound from a Baptiste effort into a gaping goal. 

In the second match at Couva, Central FC got its first points against W Connection with a hard-fought 2-2 draw.

Wednesday’s Digicel T&T Pro League results:

North East Stars 3 (Cornell Glen 55th, 66th pen, Gary Glasgow 80th) vs Caledonia 1 (Kareem Joseph 12th pen)

W Connection 2 (Andrei Pacheco 4th, Joevin Jones 34th) vs Central FC 2 (Elijah Joseph o.g 40th, Peter Byers 45th)

Current standings

Teams    P    W    D    L    F    A    Pts
D/Force    16    11    3    2    43    17    36
Caledonia    16    10    2    4    43    24    32
N/East Stars    16    7    6    3    22    14    27
W Connection    16    7    5    4    29    18    26
Central    16    6    5    5    23    26    23
Police    16    3    5    8    22    31    14
Rangers    16    2    4    10    19    40    10
T&TEC    16    2    2    12    12    43    8

upcoming matches
 

Today
Venue: Marvin Lee Stadium, 
Macoya 
W Connection vs Rangers, 6 pm
Caledonia vs Defence Force, 8 
pm

Tomorrow
Venue: Marvin Lee Stadium, 
Macoya
North East Stars vs Police, 5 pm 
Central FC vs T&TEC, 7 pm