Three different players were on target as Caledonia AIA brough newly Toyota Classic champions, Play Whe San Juan Jabloteh back down to earth with a 4-1 spanking at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on Tuesday night.
In the other match at Mucurapo, Defence Force struggles continued in a 1-1 draw with beaten Toyota Classic finalist Pt Fortin Civic.
With the win Caledonia climbed above defending champions, DirecTV W Connection (ten points) into second spot with 11 points, two behind leaders and First Citizen Cup winners Central FC while Police FC (nine) and Jabloteh (eight) slipped to fourth and fifth respectively, followed by North East Stars and Defence Force, both with seven apiece.
On Tuesday, Jabloteh entered the contest in a buoyant mood having defeated Pt Fortin 4-2 on penalty-kicks after a 1-1 draw in their Toyota Classic final on Friday at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva to end a six-year trophy drought.
And second year coach, Keith Jeffrey was hopeful his youthful squad would carry on from where they left off, however, instead his team suffered a second straight lopsided league loss, after a 4-0 blowout to Central FC a week ago at the same venue.
Caledonia which went into the match, unbeaten in its last three league outings and two straight 1-1 draws took a 2-0 lead into the half via goals from Nathan Lewis in the 20th minute and Kareem Joseph in the 26th.
Caledonia's Pernell Schultz made it 3-0 in the 56th when he beat goalkeeper Toyota Classic "Most Valuable Player" award recipient Shane Mattis from the penalty spot after he was brought in the box by Garth Thomas and three minutes later Jabloteh defender Dario Holmes' wayward back pass eluded Mattis to extend the lead to 4-0.
Jabloteh did manage a consolation on the night, in the 64th minute through substitute forward Johan Peltier, following an excellent build-up.
Defence Force dominated early on and saw efforts from midfielder Jerwyn Balthazar (28th) and forward Richard Roy (34th) came back into play off the frame of the post to leave both teams goalless at the interval.
But within seconds of the restart, the "Teteron Boys" finally broke the deadlock through Richard Roy who connected on Jemel Sebro's right side cross past goalkeeper Marvin Phillip.
Pt Fortin then created chances through defender Kevin Rouse, who headed wide of an open net in the 51st minute and defender Weslie John, who was denied in the 80th minute by an excellent Sheldon Clarke save to get level.
However, with nine minutes left, the equaliser eventually came through an own goal as towering Defence Force sweeper Glynn Franklyn's attempted clearance from a dangerous cross, sliced past a helpless Clarke and into his own net for a 1-1 score and share of the points.
Today, Central FC will have a chance to remain top of the league ahead of the Christmas break when it faces Japs North East Stars in the feature match of a double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva from 8 pm.
Two hours earlier at the same venue, W Connection will hope to keep the pressure on its Couva neighbours and retake second spot for the least when it tackles surprise package so far this campaign in Police.
W Connection is expected to be at full-strength, Police will be without veteran striker Hector Sam, who sits out the last of his three-match suspension. Following today's matches the league takes a break until January 9.
Tuesday's Digicel T&T Pro League results:
Caledonia AIA 4 (Nathan Lewis 20th, Kareem Joseph 26th, Pernell Schultz 56th pen, own goal 59th) vs San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Johan Peltier 64th)
Defence Force 1 (Richard Roy 46th) vs Pt Fortin Civic 1 (own goal 81st)
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Digicel T&T Pro League standings:
Teams P W D L F A Pts
Central FC 6 4 1 1 19 6 13
Caledonia 6 3 2 1 12 8 11
W Connection 5 3 1 1 10 3 10
Police 6 2 3 1 9 9 9
Jabloteh 6 2 2 2 5 10 8
N/East Stars 5 2 1 2 4 3 7
D/Force 6 2 1 3 9 10 7
Pt Fortin 6 1 2 3 9 12 5
Rangers 6 0 1 5 4 20 1
Upcoming matches:
Today:
Venue: Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva
W Connection vs Police FC, 6 pm
Central FC vs North East Stars, 8 pm
14-&-22.jpg caption...Caledonia AIA's Jameel Neptune, right, barges down on goal under pressure from Shaquille Bertrand, left, of Play Whe San Juan Jabloteh during their Digicel T&T Pro League match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on Tuesday night. Caledonia won 4-1. Photo: Anthony Harris.
5-&-4.jpg caption....Caledonia AIA's Christopher Mejia, left, tackles Garth Thomas, rightt, of Play Whe San Juan Jabloteh during their Digicel T&T Pro League match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on Tuesday night. Caledonia won 4-1. Photo: Anthony Harris.
2-&-20.jpg caption.....Defence Force's Glynn Frankly, left, intercepts, Pt Fortin Civic's Jamile Boatswain in their Digicel T&T Pro League 1-1 draw at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on Tuesday night. Photo: Anthony Harris.