W Connection bid for a sixth T&T Pro League title and first since the 2013-2014 campaign was slowed on Wednesday night after a 1-1 draw with former champions, San Juan Jabloteh at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
With joint second placed Police FC edging Morvant Caledonia United 2-1 in the night’s opener at the same venue to join the leaders on 33 points, the pressure was on the ‘Savonetta Boys’ to get a win to go into their final matchday encounter with Terminix St Ann’s Rangers, needing only a draw to be declared champions.
However, the opening goal for the W Connection against a stubborn Jabloteh didn’t’ come until the 65th-minute courtesy Neil Benjamin Jr.
But the league leaders’ joy was short-lived as Jabloteh hit back two minutes later thanks to Nickel Orr to even up the match at 1-1 after which both teams failed to find the winner.
With one round of matches left for the top three teams, W Connection heads the table with 34 points from 17 matches, one ahead of Police FC and three-time winners, Central FC.
The "Lawmen" led from as early as the fourth minute via Kareem Freitas. Fellow striker Jameel Perry doubled the advantage in the 62nd before Keion Goodridge netted a 90th-minute consolation for Morvant Caledonia United which stayed on 27 points and out of the race for a top-two finish. This will guarantee Concacaf Champions League qualifying football in the Caribbean Football Union competition.
Down at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, national midfielder Duane Muckette decisive strike in the 75th minute secured a 2-1 win for Central FC over Defence Force to stay in the chase for a fourth Pro League title in five years.
Akim Armstrong had given Central FC the lead in the fourth minute, but Rodell Elcock got Defence Force on level terms on the stroke of half-time, before Muckette’s winner.
And in the night’s other encounter at Couva, Shackiel Henry scored a second-half hat-trick as Club Sando routed St Ann’s Rangers 8-0 to move solely into the fourth spot with 30 points and two matches left to play.
Henry got his goals in the 61st, 68th and 90th while Akeem Humphrey (18th & 76th) and Keron Cornwall (80th & 82nd) banged in doubles, and Tyrone Charles, the other four minutes into time added one.
With last year’s league champions North East Stars being suspended for two out its matches due to financial problems, the league has taken a decision to reschedule their outstanding matches against Club Sando and Defence Force prior to the final match day for all teams while a decision was made to award St Ann’s Rangers a 3-0 default win over Stars for a called off encounter.
However, when the final round of matches do kick off, W Connection will be heavily fancied to complete its title chase as it faces cellar-placed North East Stars; while Central FC and Police clash; and Morvant Caledonia United meet Club Sando.
And in the other matches. Pt Fortin Civic comes up against Defence Force FC while Jabloteh faces Rangers.
Wednesday’s Results
Central FC 2 (Akim Armstrong 15th, Duane Muckette 75th) vs Defence Force 1 (Rodell Elcock 45th)
Club Sando 8 (Shackiel Henry 61st, 68th, 90th, Akeem Humphrey 18th, 76th, Keron Cornwall 80th, 82nd, Tyrone Charles 94th) vs St Ann’s Rangers 0
San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Nickel Orr 67th) vs W Connection 1 (Neil Benjamin Jr 65th)
Police FC 2 (Kareem Freitas 4th, Jameel Perry 62nd) vs Morvant Caledonia United 1 (Keion Goodridge 90th)
Latest T&T Pro League standings
Teams*P*W*D*L*GF*GA*Pts
1.W Connection*17*9*7*1*39*8*34
2. Police FC*17*10*3*4*37*20*33
3. Central FC*17*10*3*4*41*25*33
4. Club Sando*16*9*3*4*38*21*30
5. Morvant Caledonia *17*7*6*4*33*22*27
6. Defence Force*16*7*3*6*32*19*24
7. Jabloteh*17*7*3*7*24*24*24
8. Pt Fortin Civic*17*3*2*12*19*44 11
9. St Ann’s Rangers*17*3*1*13*13*62*10
10. North East Stars*15*1*3*11*13*44*6