Ataulla Guerra converted from the penalty spot to earn leaders Central FC a 1-0 win over Caledonia AIA in their Digicel T&T pro League round-two match day three clash at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on Wednesday night.
The win restored Central's six-point lead at the top, 26 from 11 matches, ahead of defending champions DirecTV W Connection (20 pts from ten matches) after the latter had 24 hours earlier cut the lead to three with a similar 1-0 win over Japs North East Stars at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya.
Guerra, banged his from the spot in the 27th minute, struck the ball to the left of goalkeeper Shemel Louison, and although the Grenada international got glove to the ball, it wasn't enough to stop the ball from entering the net and giving the "Sharks" a 1-0 cushion.
This after referee Keilon Bacchus had awarded Central the penalty for a fould by Jameel Neptune on Central's Jason Marcano
The win for Zoran Vranes-coached Central was its fourth straight to strectch an unbeaten run to seven matches while Guerra bagged his seventh league goal of the season to join the Pro League's all-time top scorer Kerry Baptiste (129 goals) at the top of the charts.
Guyana international Pernell Schultz had chances as early as the sixth, 32nd and 38th minute to get Caledonia on the boarde, however each time he was thwarted by Central and T&T international goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams.
Guerra and Central defensive signing, Jamaica international Upston Edwards, also had other chances to add to their team's tally, but both failed to find the target against a Caledonia squad under the guidance of assistant coach Jerry Moe in absence of technical director/coach Jamaal Shabazz, who on duty with the Guyana national team.
In the end, it was a deserved hard fought win for Central FC which will return to league action on Sunday against Police at Couva from 6pm.
However, Caledonia, which stayed second from bottom with the loss on 11 points, will have little time to gather its thoughts as it returns to action tonight, also at Couva against third placed Defence Force (17 pts) from 8pm.
Two hours earlier at the same venue, Stars, also with 17 points comes up against Play Whe San Juan Jabloteh, which is a point behind.
Tomorrow (Saturday), W Connection entertains cellar placed St Ann's Rangers from 3:30 pm at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.
result
Wednesday's Digicel T&T Pro League:
Central FC 1 (Ataulla Guerra 27th pen) vs Caledonia AIA 0
Current Digicel T&T Pro League standings:
Teams P W D L F A Pts
Central FC 11 8 2 1 29 8 26
W Connection 10 6 2 2 21 6 20
Defence Force 10 5 2 3 16 14 17
North East Stars 11 5 2 4 9 7 17
Jabloteh 11 4 4 3 16 16 16
Police 11 3 5 3 15 21 14
Pt Fortin Civic 11 3 2 6 19 20 11
Caledonia 10 3 2 5 15 20 11
Rangers 11 0 1 10 8 35 1
Upcoming matches:
Today:
Venue: Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva
North East Stars vs San Juan Jabloteh, 6 pm
Caledonia AIA vs Defence Force, 8 pm
Tomorrow:
St Ann's Rangers vs W Connection, Mannie Ramjohn Stadium
Sunday:
Police vs Central FC, Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, 6 pm