With three crucial points docked in a recent ruling, Malabar FC will be out in full force today seeking victory in a home clash with Siparia Spurs, in its fourth-from-last blink/bmobile National Super League fixture.The important match-up will be played at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima, from 4 pm, in the weekend's opening fixture. Four other matches will be played tomorrow.A win for Malabar today will see the Eastern Football Association (EFA) champion move to the top of the standings ahead of Club Sando (on goal-differential). Both the current leader Club Sando and Malabar FC have played 20 matches thus far. Despite sitting in second spot Guaya remains with the advantage of having an extra match in hand. Guaya trails Club Sando by two points, while Malabar is one point behind Guaya in third.
The current standings were changed less than 24 hours after the last round, with Malabar moving from first to third after the TTFA disciplinary committee awarded Guaya United a 3-0 win over Malabar FC, after the latter club was proven to have fielded an unregistered player in a league match back in September. Malabar originally won the match 2-1 before the committee deducted three points from Malabar.Nevertheless, Malabar remains in fine form and is still among the favourites to take the title. On Sunday, Malabar eased past Stokely Vale, 4-1, in Tobago, while its opponent today, Siparia Spurs, had an even easier run in a 501 thrashing of defending champion WASA FC. Tomorrow, Club Sando plays host to troubled Joe Public FC from 6 pm, two hours after Guaya United meets Tobago club Bethel United at Montgomery Recreation Ground.
Fixtures
Today
Malabar FC vs Siparia Spurs, Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima, 4 pm
Tomorrow
1976 FC Phoenix vs WASA FC, Canaan, Bon Accord, 5.30 pm
Stokely Vale vs FC Santa Rosa, Plymouth Recreation Ground, 4 pm
Club Sando vs Joe Public FC, Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, 6 pm
Bethel United vs Guaya United, Montgomery Recreation Ground, 4 pm
Westside Superstarz vs Defence Force - Postponed
Real Maracas - Bye
Standings
Teams Pld W D L F A Pts
Club Sando 20 15 3 2 58 19 48
Guaya Utd 19 15 1 3 50 23 46
Malabar FC 20 14 3 3 71 30 45
Phoenix 22 7 9 6 31 38 30
Real Maracas 21 8 4 9 36 28 28
Stokely Vale 20 8 2 10 31 43 26
Siparia Spurs 20 6 6 8 41 37 12
Westside 22 7 1 14 33 56 22
Joe Public FC 19 5 6 8 28 34 21
Bethel Utd 20 5 5 10 28 49 20
WASA FC 21 4 6 11 24 33 18
Defence Force 16 5 3 8 23 44 18
FC Santa Rosa 20 4 5 11 24 45 17