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Tag: 1976 FC Phoenix

Only love for Tobago: James Baird hopes to help Phoenix rise again

IT’S been a topsy-turvy start for Scottish-born coach James Baird as the newly-appointed coach of TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) club 1976 FC Phoenix, as a debut 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers Point Fortin Civic on December 14 was followed up by a 4-1 defeat to FC Eagles on December 21. The latter win took Eagles from 12th to 11th on the 12-team TTPFL table, with Phoenix’s six-point haul from nine matches seeing them just two points above the former team in tenth.

This year has been an intriguing one to say the least for the 42-year-old Baird, as the former goalkeeper briefly came out of retirement to play for British Virgin Islands team Wolues FC in the Caribbean Football Union Club Shield in July, with a coaching stint with Eagles just helping the latter club avoid a bottom-place finish in the 2024/25 TTPFL season just weeks before.

And after Phoenix endured a shaky start to the season under coach Delroy Patterson, Baird received a call from his good friend Terry Williams, Phoenix president and technical director, who asked him to come on board and help steady the ship for the Tobago-based club, which is now in their third season in the TTPFL top flight.

Baird’s playing career saw him featuring for clubs across his native Scotland, Iceland, the US and TT, while his international coaching experience has included gigs with countries such as the BVI, Turks and Caicos and the TT women’s team, which saw him being appointed as a goalkeeper coach in 2021.

Baird has been living in TT for roughly a decade. And having tied the knot in Tobago, Baird says the island holds a special place in his heart. From a professional perspective, he wants to repay the good faith that was extended to him when he joined then-TT Pro League team Tobago United back in 2007.

“Tobago means a lot to me. To coach a Tobago team is something special to me,” Baird told Newsday during an interview on December 20. “They gave me an opportunity in my career when I was having a down spell, and it can kinda put my career back on course.”

Having copped the TTPFL tier two title in 2023, Phoenix started their inaugural tier one season in a wobbly fashion before registering a solid sixth-place finish in the 2023/24 campaign.

In the subsequent 2024/25 season, Phoenix played the entire campaign without any home games and finished ninth on 18 points.

Baird said setting the team’s stalls for a lofty finish will be a tough ask for the current season. However, the former Guaya United coach believes the team and island have enough tools to make a run their fans will be proud of.

“My goal would be a mid-table finish this season. I do believe we can get a lot better, but we have to wait to see what’s going to happen in the transfer window in a few weeks,” Baird said. “If we could get a little extra in, I think we could make a push for mid-table, and then next season, if we could get a few extra guys in, I really think this team could push. We’re the only team from Tobago. And it will be good for Tobago, but also for Trinidad, for Tobago to have a team that’s competitive and can challenge from over here.”

He said Phoenix need to be able to produce a brand and quality which will attract interest from beyond Tobago’s shores as well.

“Being the sole team from Tobago and coming in a situation where they are near the bottom of the league, it will be a bit hard to attract players initially because of the distance. But again, that’s up to the team to show we can do it and start going up the table, and people will start to look at it as a realistic option. It’s just about creating that environment for people to see.”

In his eyes, there hasn’t been much of a gap between Phoenix and the teams they have played thus far this season, and he said the onus is on him to instill that belief, which will then translate to on-field performances.

“Like I told the players, I don’t think they really believe how good they are. And some of them are excellent players,” Baird said, pointing to players such as defender Jeremiah Bristol, midfielder Antonio Pantin, veteran Trevin Caesar and forward Teejay Cadiz, who scored his league-leading eighth goal of the season versus Eagles at the Mahaica Sporting Complex in Point Fortin on December 21.

“The team has virtually played everybody, and from what I’ve seen, there’s nobody who has beaten us badly. And I think the games have just been one goal here or there. I think it’s about being creative in that environment and getting the players to enjoy what they’re doing…the players are very open, and we’ve had a lot of conversations. I think that’s going to help us going forward.”

Though he has initially been contracted for this season, Baird believes the Phoenix project could really take flight in a couple of seasons, once given the chance. He may be a goalkeeper by trade, but Baird says he has a lot more to offer than his experience between the uprights.

“I always like to stay away from the stigma of being a goalkeeping coach because I like the tactical side a lot more than that. Yes, I was a goalkeeper, but I kinda got attracted to the tactical side of the game. I like to try to motivate, and I like to get my teams to play aggressive, high-energy and high-intensity football.”

With their originally scheduled Boxing Day clash with Caledonia now postponed, Phoenix and Baird will now look to 2026 to possibly turn their season around.

Kesean St Rose scores late as Rangers edge Phoenix in TTPFL

TERMINIX La Horquetta Rangers (three points) got their first victory of the 2025/26 TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) season when they edged 1976 FC Phoenix 2-1 in a rescheduled match at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, Tobago on November 15.

At kickoff, it was a game which saw the two bottom clubs on the 12-team table going head-to-head. And at the end of 90 minutes in the close clash, Rangers just snatched the victory as a stoppage-time goal from striker Kesean St Rose saw the visiting club sealing the comeback result.

The game didn’t start too badly for Phoenix, as they surged ahead in the 25th minute when Teejay Cadiz got in behind the defence to finish off from close range after fellow attacker Kerri McDonald whipped in a right-side cross.

Phoenix took a 1-0 lead to the half, but parity was restored shortly after the interval when Rangers’ Leroy Whyle tapped in through a crowded penalty area in the 51st minute after Phoenix goalie Duvaughn Daniel flapped at a right-side corner.

Six minutes later, Phoenix had a chance to regain their one-goal lead but Che Richards saw his looping header just dropping over Jadel Poon-Lewis’ bar in the Rangers goal. In the 74th minute, Phoenix came close again in search of a second goal, but Cadiz saw his threatening left-side cross just evading his teammates in the middle.

With the game seemingly drifting towards a draw, diminutive second-half substitute St Rose had the decisive say for Rangers as he fired past Daniel at the start of stoppage-time to ensure his team had a happy journey back to Trinidad.

On November 19, Rangers will hope to make it two in two when they take on the third-placed Club Sando (six points) at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva from 7 pm. In the first game of the Couva double-header, FC Eagles will play table-toppers Prisons FC (nine points) from 5 pm.

From 5 pm at Phase 2 La Horquetta recreation ground, the cellar-placed Phoenix will meet the eighth-placed San Juan Jabloteh, with AC Port of Spain then taking on Miscellaneous Police FC from 7 pm.

At the Mahaica Sporting Complex, Point Fortin, last season’s second-placed team MIC Central FC Reboot (six points) will tackle Caledonia from 6 pm, with holders Defence Force (five points) playing home team Point Fortin Civic from 8 pm.

TTFPL tier one standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

Prisons*3*3*0*0*8*2*6*9

Police FC*3*2*0*1*6*2*4*6

Club Sando*3*2*0*1*3*1*2*6

MIC Central FC*3*2*0*1*6*5*1*6

Defence Force*3*1*2*0*3*2*1*5

Point Fortin*3*1*1*1*4*4*0*4

AC Port of Spain*3*1*1*1*1*2*-1*4

Jabloteh*3*1*1*1*3*5*-2*4

Caledonia*3*1*0*2*4*5*-1*3

La Horquetta Rangers*3*1*0*2*3*5*-2*3

Eagles FC*3*0*1*2*2*4*-2*1

1976 FC Phoenix*3*0*0*3*3*9*-6*0

Prisons spank Phoenix, move to TTPFL summit

Prisons FC (six points) moved to the top of the 2025/26 TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) table when they got a resounding 4-0 win over Tobago’s 1976 FC Phoenix on the back of a strong second-half performance at the Mahaica Sporting Complex in Point Fortin on November 2.

The teams went to the halftime break goalless after a largely scrappy first half, with the best chances falling to Prisons through defender Ronell Paul and flanker Josiah King via set-piece scenarios.

In the second half, with the introduction of flanker Jeremiah Vidale, the Dexter Cyrus-coached Prisons team looked a different outfit as they quickly showed their superiority against the visitors. Before Prison’s four-goal burst, Phoenix had a good chance in he 51st minute, but their towering striker Sherwin Lovell had his right-footed just kept out by goalkeeper Jabari Gray. In the 62nd minute, Phoenix goalie and skipper Duvaughn Daniel was called to make a fine save, with defender Jeremiah Bristol then giving away a penalty as he was adjudged to have fouled striker Ricardo John as he attempted to get to the loose ball.

Kevon Williams neatly tucked away the ensuing penalty to give Prisons the 1-0 lead, and then turned provider in the 68th minute as Kevin Seales glanced a header past Daniel after receiving a delightful cross.

Prisons were now rampant as they sent waves of attacks to the Phoenix goal. In the 71st minute, Vidale made it 3-0 when he slapped in a left-footed shot from close range after working a slick one-two with full back Khayyam Headley down the left. Two minutes later, Headley almost extended Prisons’ lead, but his goal-bound effort was dramatically cleared off the line by Andel Brown after another foray down the left featuring John and Vidale.

Prisons did eventually get their fourth goal in second-half stoppage time, as substitute Christon Phillip stabbed in from close range after the Phoenix defence switched off when a left-side cross drifted well beyond the far post.

With the big victory, Prisons moved level on points with Miscellaneous Police, with both teams also having the same +5 goal differential. Prisons hold top spot at present, though, as they have scored seven goals to Police’s six.

In the second game of the Point Fortin double-header, the hosts Point Fortin Civic got their first points of the season and saw off a spirited fight from Terminix La Horquetta Rangers to get a 2-1 victory. Civic took the lead in the 18th minute when forward Ezekiel Kesar directed a deft touch past goalkeeper Xavion Haynes after a short-corner routine.

Civic took the 1-0 lead to the halftime break, but Rangers struck back in the 58th minute when midfielder Omar Daniel clinically finished off a counter-attack involving skipper Kern Roberts.

In the 68th minute, Civic got the decisive goal in the contest when substitute Joshua Gustave scored with a spectacular scissors kick at the back post after fellow substitute Jeremiah Niles went on an enterprising run down the left flank before forcing Haynes into a fine save.

Civic ended the game with ten men as their goalie Terrence Lewis was sent off for a reckless tackle on Roberts just outside the penalty area in the 84th minute. Lewis’ mishap did little to deter Civic in the end as they moved to fifth on the 12-team table with the victory.

TTFPL tier one standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

Prisons*2*2*0*0*7*2*5*6

Police FC*2*2*0*0*6*1*5*6

Club Sando*2*2*0*0*3*0*3*6

MIC Central FC*2*1*0*1*3*3*0*3

Point Fortin Civic*2*1*0*1*3*3*0*3

Jabloteh*2*1*0*1*2*4*-2*3 (from 12th to 6th)

Defence Force*2*0*2*0*2*2*0*2

Eagles FC*2*0*1*1*2*3*-1*1

AC Port of Spain*2*0*1*1*0*2*-2*1

La Horquetta Rangers*1*0*0*1*1*2*-1*0

Caledonia*2*0*0*2*2*5*-3*0

1976 FC Phoenix*1*0*0*1*0*4*-4*0

Phoenix wary of league’s quality, but aim for TTPFL top four

NEW 1976 FC Phoenix coach Delroy Patterson hopes the return of Tobago games to his team’s TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) calendar will give them the push needed to improve on their ninth-place finish from last season.

Before the end of the first round of matches in the 2025/26 TTPFL tier one campaign, the Tobago-based Phoenix are scheduled to play as many as six home games – a far cry from the previous season, where they had no home fixtures. In their debut tier one season in the 2023/24 campaign, Phoenix registered a solid sixth-placed finish.

This season, Phoenix will open their campaign in the comfort of their home when they face Terminix La Horquetta Rangers in the second game of a double-header at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, Tobago from 8 pm on October 24. Miscellaneous Police FC, who placed third last season, will get the new campaign under way when they meet an exciting San Juan Jabloteh team from 6 pm in the first game of the Bacolet double-header.

For Patterson, who coached Whim Leeds United to the Tobago FA Cup title last year, a top-four target is at the forefront of his mind in TTPFL tier one. However, Patterson is also mindful of the competitive nature of the league and said Phoenix will be taking it one game at a time.

“Realistically, we have a lot to put in if we want to finish in the top four because there are a lot of other good clubs out there,” Patterson told Newsday on October 23. “If we finish in the top six again, I’d take that any day.”

1976 FC Phoenix winger Kerri McDonald during TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) action in December 2024. – Photo courtesy TTPFL

Taking over in the off-season from Nigel De Souza, who led Phoenix to their sixth-placed finish two seasons ago, Patterson said his new charges have been putting in the hard yards behind the scenes as they try to “get the chinks in the armour ironed out so we could have a good stint this season.”

Phoenix will be without the services of former national youth team midfielder Kassidy Davidson, who has transferred away from the club, along with attacker Jariel Arthur, who scored five goals in Phoenix red last season prior to a mid-season switch to Caledonia. However, Patterson is expecting combative midfielder Deleon Beckles to step up this season, alongside players such as veteran attacker Trevin Caesar, striker Kerri McDonald, Che Richards and goalkeeper Duvaughn Daniel who will captain the team.

With the TTPFL set to introduce a unique promotion and relegation structure for the upcoming season, Patterson said his charges have no room for complacency as they aim to continue life in TT’s top flight.

“(Playing in tier one) is a step up eh. It will be a welcome to all parties. The guys are upbeat and we want to continue playing in (tier one) and not get demoted because this year is promotion and demotion,” he said.

“For now, it’s smooth and training has been good. The guys are eager to get on the pitch for the first time for the new season.”

After playing Rangers in their first game, Phoenix will take on Prisons FC at Mahaica Sporting Complex in Point Fortin on November 2, before hosting last season’s runners-up MIC Central FC Reboot in Bacolet on November 8 in their third match. Phoenix are also scheduled to host holders Defence Force and Police in a pair of challenging home fixtures on November 22 and December 6, respectively.

Patterson is hopeful the Tobago faithful can inspire his team to great things.

“It’s a morale boost for the guys, and knowing they have the fans behind them, that will give them more energy and a little more burst of something to get the job done. The 12th man is always the trump card in the game,” he said.

 

Army teams put unbeaten streaks on line as First Citizens Cup kicks off

DEFENCE Force’s TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) tier one and tier two teams will put their unbeaten runs in the 2024/25 season on the line when the round of 32 in the First Citizens Knockout competition commences on May 7.

Defence Force’s tier one team are the First Citizens Knockout Cup holders, having beaten AC Port of Spain 3-1 in the 2024 finale. Meanwhile, Defence Force clinched the 2024/25 tier one title when they got a 1-0 win over MIC Central FC Reboot at the St James Police Barracks on May 4.

In the first match of a double-header at the Defence Force Reserves Ground from 5 pm, Defence Force’s tier two unit will put a 14-game unbeaten streak to the test when they face tier one’s 1976 FC Phoenix. From 7 pm, Defence Force’s tier one team will tackle tackle struggling tier two club Evolution FC. Coach Densill Theobald’s Defence Force team are on an unbeaten 18-game run in the country’s top flight.

Last season’s losing finalists AC PoS will also begin their 2025 First Citizens campaign on May 7, as they will face Club Sando’s tier two team from 6 pm at the Arima Velodrome.

At the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, an all-tier one clash will see Caledonia playing Eagles FC from 6 pm. From 8 pm in Couva, last season’s TTPFL tier one runners-up Miscellaneous Police FC will take on tier two’s QPCC.

From 6 pm at the Phase 2 La Horquetta recreation ground on May 7, Central FC will tackle tier two holders Harlem Strikers, with a battle of youthful teams taking centre stage in the second game of a La Horquetta double-header when San Juan Jabloteh meet Terminix La Horquetta Rangers from 8 pm. Meanwhile, from 8 pm at the Mahaica Sporting Complex in Point Fortin, Malabar Youngstars, one of the tier two frontrunners, will square off with cellar-placed tier one team Point Fortin Civic.

First Citizens round of 32 action will continue on May 8, with three of the seven matches being contested in Tobago as Bethel SC, Carnbee/Mount Pleasant FC and Sidey’s SC look to make their mark. From 6 pm at UTT’s O’Meara compound on May 8, UTT will entertain Union Hall United in an interesting matchup between two high-flying tier two teams. On May 3, Union Hall moved to second spot in group two of TTPFL’s second tier with a 7-0 mauling of Central Soccer World. UTT are currently third in group one of the second tier.

The winners of this year’s First Citizens Cup will receive a $100,000 cash prize, with the runners-up receiving $50,000.

Central FC climb to 2nd in TTPFL, AC PoS drop points

DEFENDING champs AC Port of Spain (25 points) and last season’s runners-up Miscellaneous Police FC (23 points) both dropped points when action in tier one of the TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) continued at the St James Police Barracks on March 30.

Currently fifth in the 12-team table, Police missed the opportunity to creep into the top three on their home ground when they played to a 1-1 draw with 1976 FC Phoenix (13 points). The visiting Phoenix team took the lead in the 36th minute thanks to a goal from Sherwin Lovell.

Phoenix took a 1-0 lead into halftime but their lead disappeared in the 56th minute when playmaker Joevin Jones scored a free kick to tie the scores and give his team a share of the spoils. Fresh from Soca Warriors duty in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup preliminary showdown with Cuba, it was Jones’ eighth goal of the league season.

In the second game of the St James double-header, AC PoS missed the chance to regain second spot on the table as they drew 1-1 with sixth-placed Caledonia (20 points).

Caledonia got a surprise win over AC PoS in the TTPFL first round, and they got off to a dream start when flanker Devon Charles headed in a right-side set piece in only the fourth minute.

After conceding, AC PoS did a lot of hard running without creating many clear-cut chances. On the half-hour mark, though, the fortunes for the “Capital Boys” changed when their ever-reliable defender Robert Primus headed in a dangerous free kick from new signing Leston Paul. It was Primus’ fourth goal of the campaign.

AC Port of Spain players Sedale McLean, right, and Nathan Lewis meet officials before the start of their match against Caledonia in the TTPFL. –

In the 34th minute, AC PoS nearly got a go-ahead goal when Caledonia’s Jevaughn Thomas headed agonisingly headed wide of his own goal as he attempted to clear a threatening left-side corner from Nathan Lewis.

Caledonia created a chance of their own before the end of the half, but their new Tobago signing Lashawn Roberts shot straight at veteran goalkeeper Marvin Phillip from a tight angle in the 40th minute.

There was little by way of meaningful goalmouth action in the second half as the teams struggled to find their rhythm.

In the 68th minute, mere moments after coming on, AC PoS substitute Michael Chaves showed his dancing feet when he evaded a couple of tackles on the edge of the area. However, centre back Daneil Cyrus put his body on the line to charge down Chaves’ goalbound effort.

In the 85th minute, another substitute in Jariel Arthur tried to influence the scoreline but his firm right-footed shot from outside the area was well-saved by Phillip in the AC PoS goal.

On March 29, MIC Central FC Reboot (27 points) assumed second place on the standings when they blanked the cellar-placed Eagles FC 2-0 at the Arima Velodrome. Playmaker John-Paul Rochford opened the scoring in the third minute as he grabbed his fifth of the season, with veteran marksman Kevon “Showtime” Woodley sealing the three points with an 80th-minute item.

Central’s result closed Defence Force’s lead atop the table to 12 points.

In the other match in Arima on March 29, Prisons FC (nine points) got only their second win of the season when they defeated the 11th-placed Point Fortin Civic 3-0. Brendon Figuera scored a second-half brace to lead Prisons, while midfielder Rhondel Gibson got things under way with a goal in the eighth minute.

On March 28, the Army/Coast Guard combination recorded their 13th straight win when they defeated San Juan Jabloteh 3-1 in an exciting clash at the Phase 2 La Horquetta recreation grounds.

TTFPL tier one standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

Defence Force FC*13*13*0*0*48*13*35*39

Central FC*13*9*0*4*35*24*11*27

AC PoS*13*7*4*2*29*15*14*25

Jabloteh*13*7*3*3*30*21*9*24

Police FC*13*7*2*4*38*22*16*23

Caledonia*13*6*2*5*22*26*-4*20

Club Sando*13*5*3*5*21*16*5*18

La Horquetta Rangers*13*3*4*6*22*25*-3*13

1976 FC Phoenix*13*3*4*6*19*26*-7*13

Prisons FC*13*2*3*8*15*26*-11*9

Point Fortin Civic*13*2*0*11*12*35*-23*6

Eagles FC*13*1*1*11*10*52*-42*4

 

No Molino, no problem; Army win 10th straight TTPFL game

TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) table-toppers Defence Force (30 points) extended their lead in the 2024/25 table to nine points on February 9 when they got a thumping 5-1 win over the 11th-placed Point Fortin Civic at the Mahaica Sporting Complex, Point Fortin in the second game of a doubleheader.

Having won nine straight league games prior to their meeting with Civic, the Army/Coast Guard combination were expected to face a test from the hosts as they were without as many as six players due to duties with the Soca Warriors. Captain and playmaker Kevin Molino, who has ten league goals, was one of the absentees.

Defence Force didn’t skip a beat, though, and they took a 2-0 lead after 14 minutes with goals from their new centre back pairing of Joshua Araujo-Wilson and Shirwin Noel.

In the 56th minute, striker Isaiah Leacock continued his fine form when he scored his 11th goal of the season with a penalty conversion to make it 3-0. Leacock’s goal took him to the top of the TTPFL scoring charts.

Five minutes later, Defence Force were assured of the three points when midfielder Rivaldo Coryat netted his third goal of the season.

Joshua Araujo-Wilson (4) and teammates celebrate a goal against Point Fortin Civic during the Tier I TT Premier Football League match, at the Mahaica Sporting Complex, Point Fortin. – Photo courtesy Defence Force

Civic pulled back a goal through Akinola Gregory in the 77th minute. However, Defence Force restored their four-goal advantage and put the gloss on their tenth win of the campaign when substitute Nicholas Bobcome scored in the 82nd minute.

In the other match in Mahaica, San Juan Jabloteh overturned a 1-0 halftime deficit as they defeated Caledonia (16 points) 2-1 to surge past their match-day opponents on the 12-team table. Jabloteh moved up to fifth spot with 18 points.

Caledonia took the lead through a goal from Devon Charles in the 31st minute. Without the attacking pair of Derrel “Zum Zum” Garcia and Lindell Sween due to national duty, Jabloteh dug deep in the second half to turn the game on its head.

Jabloteh’s equaliser came from striker Elijah Seechan, who scored his sixth goal of the season when he fired in a right-footed shot from a tight angle after receiving a Trevis Byron through pass.

Caledonia AIA forward Jean-Heim McFee (right) is watched closely by San Juan Jabloteh’s Keanu John during their TT Premier Football League clash at the Mahaica Sporting Complex, Point Fortin on February 9. – Photo courtesy Caledonia AIA’s Instagram page

As the game neared 90 minutes, Byron took matters into his own hands when he curled a right-footed shot into the far corner after cutting in from the left flank.

With Jabloteh creeping back into the top five with their win, last season’s runners-up Miscellaneous Police FC (19 points) consolidated fourth spot when they defeated Club Sando (12 points) 1-0 at the St James Police Barracks.

With the game drifting towards a goalless draw, Police substitute Xavier Rajpaul grabbed the win for his team in the 89th minute when he slapped a left-footer into the top corner from the edge of the area after receiving a cut-back from the right flank.

In the other game in St James, the ninth-placed 1976 FC Phoenix and the bottom-placed Eagles FC failed to fire as they played to a goalless draw.

TTFPL tier one standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

Defence Force FC*10*10*0*0*42*11*31*30

Central FC*10*7*0*3*28*18*10*21

AC PoS*10*6*2*2*20*11*9*20

Police FC*10*6*1*3*32*18*14*19

Jabloteh*10*5*3*2*24*16*8*18

Caledonia*10*5*1*4*15*20*-5*16

Club Sando*10*3*3*4*17*15*2*12

La Horquetta Rangers*10*2*4*4*17*19*-2*10

1976 FC Phoenix*10*2*2*6*11*21*-10*8

Prisons FC*10*1*3*6*12*22*-10*6

Point Fortin Civic*10*2*0*8*10*24*-14*6

Eagles FC*10*1*1*8*8*41*-33*4

 

Army down Phoenix; Club Sando strike late

DAVID SCARLETT

DEFENCE FORCE edged 1976 FC Phoenix 1-0 on Sunday at Police Barracks, St James, to maintain their cushion atop the TT Premier Football League tier one standings

A first-half goal by Isaiah Leacock proved the difference on matchday nine.

Despite 17 points separating the teams, the Tobago side gave the army men a hard battle.

On Saturday, Club Sando snuck a late 2-1 victory in their battle against Portin Fortin Civic at the Arima Velodrome.

The southern city men had Shackiel “Smeck” Henry to thank for their winning goal in the latter stage of the match.

Club Sando started the match strongly as Jabari Henry – no relation to Shackiel – struck first blood in the fourth minute to put his team in front.

Civic weren’t down without a fight, though. They battled throughout the first half and went into the second half with similar momentum.

Their perseverance earned them a 49th-minute equaliser courtesy of Kelon Williams.

The match remained a tight affair and seemed like it had to be decided by a special moment.

In the 81st minute, Club Sando got that special moment when Shackiel Henry netted the winner for Angus Eve’s side.

Although Club Sando remain in 7th in the standings (12 pts), the result meant that they closed the gap on sixth-placed San Juan Jabloteh (14 pts) to just two points. However, Jabloteh had a game in hand against AC Port of Spain on Sunday evening.

Civic (six pts) remain 11th – second from bottom – in a season that has been a struggle after the first nine matches.

In the later fixture at the Arima Velodrome, more late drama followed as Caledonia also needed an 81st minute goal to secure a comeback and overcome Prison Service FC.

Prisons were the first on the scoresheet via Jeremiah Vidale in the 17th minute. The lawmen continued to lead until the 63rd minute when Gabriel Nanton brought Caledonia back on level terms.

Minute 81 seemed to be the lucky number at the Velodrome as Carlyle Mitchell dramatically put Caledonia in front with nine minutes to play. The Stallions (16 pts) held on to their slender lead to earn a hard-fought three points and leapfrogged Jabloteh into fifth place. Prisons (ten pts) stand a place above Civic in tenth.

Defence Force, AC Port of Spain notch key Premier League wins

LEAGUE leaders Defence Force extended their unbeaten run in the TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) tier one division to seven wins in as many matches, after securing a 3-0 victory over second-placed MIC Central FC in match two of a double-header at La Horquetta Recreation Ground on January 17.

In the top-of-the-table clash, Isaiah Leacock netted a first-half brace and Shaquille Bertrand also got on the scoresheet to affirm Defence Force three crucial points over the nearest rivals.

Leacock scored the opener in the 11th minute and Bertrand doubled their advantage, five minutes later. In the 38th, Leacock netted his second item to make it 3-0 heading into the half-time break.

Despite Central FC’s multiple attempts to ignite a comeback in the second period, they could not penetrate Defence Force’s sturdy backline and recorded their second loss of the 2024/25 season.

The win for Defence Force saw them soar to 21 points on the 12-team standings while Central FC (15 points), still hold on to second place courtesy a superior goal difference over third-placed and defending champions AC Port of Spain, who also emerged victors in the opening match at the La Horquetta venue.

Against last season’s runners-up Miscellaneous Police FC, AC PoS sealed a 2-0 triumph courtesy a 73rd-minute strike from Che Benny and a goal from Josiah Wilson, nine minutes into second half extra time.

The result kept AC PoS (15 points) in third as Central FC’s goal difference kept them slightly ahead.

Police’s (ten points) loss also saw them slip to fifth place as San Juan Jabloteh notched an important 4-3 result over struggling Terminix La Horquetta Rangers on January 18, to leapfrog the servicemen into fourth.

At Ken Cooke Grounds in St James, Jabloteh almost blew a convincing three-goal advantage as Rangers fought back late on.

Jabloteh started strongly and quickly got off the mark courtesy Elijah Seecharan in the second minute. St Benedict’s College talisman Derrel “Zum Zum” Garcia sent them 2-0 ahead in the 23rd minute, before Andell Fraser added another in the 29th minute.

Just before halftime, Rangers’ Isaiah Lee pulled one back to make it 3-1 heading into the break.

At the resumption, Jabloteh continued their dominance as Keanu John scored in the 51st to put them a comfortable 4-1 up.

Lee, however, struck again for Rangers soon after and carried the score to 4-2 in the 62nd minute. Ranger’s Ricardo Williams helped them reach within a one-goal deficit after he netted in the 85th.

Rangers tried to tie things up at the end, but Jabloteh held on for a hard-fought 4-3 victory.

In the other match at Ken Cooke grounds, cellar-placed Eagles FC (formerly Cunupia FC) earned their first win of the season via a 4-2 win over Prisons Service FC.

Eagles took an early lead through Moses Jaikaran in the second minute, but Prisons’ Jeremiah Vidale answered back in the 39th to level things up before the halftime break.

Aikim Andrews put Eagles ahead in the 52nd but again, Vidale found the back of the net to make it 2-2, six minutes later.

Undeterred, Eagles’ Ricardo John restored the lead with a 66th minute strike, before Andrews netted another in 72nd to put the match beyond Prisons’ reach.

At the Mahaica Sporting Complex in Pt Fortin after press time on January 19, Club Sando played 1976 FC Phoenix in the first game, with hosts Point Fortin Civic up against Caledonia in the second match.

AC Port of Spain begin life after Muckette with TTPFL clash vs Police

The 2024/25 TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) season is expected to throw up nail-biting action this weekend, with the top four teams in the league table involved in heavyweight clashes.

The Phase 2 La Horquetta recreation ground will be the venue for a mega double-header on January 17, with reigning champs AC PoS meeting last season’s runners-up Miscellaneous Police FC from 6 pm in the first fixture.

The “Capital Boys” of AC PoS are currently third on the 12-team tier one table with 12 points. And though they have already lost to Caledonia AIA and the red-hot Defence Force, AC PoS will be hoping to show they are still the team to beat when they play the fourth-placed Police (ten points).

“Defence Force are ahead of the pack and we don’t want them to pull away too far and then we have to make up ground as well,” AC PoS coach Walt Noriega told Newsday.

“It’s an important game and the nice thing about it is the boys’ confidence is up after the last game against Point Fortin Civic. Police will be confident as well because they came off a huge victory against Eagles FC. It’s about how we manage the game and the defensive part of it to try and nullify them.”

For AC PoS, they will also have to do without the services of former captain and playmaker Duane Muckette, who is set to take up a deal with a club in the Middle East. Muckette scored seven league goals for AC PoS least season, to go along with six goals in the First Citizens Knockout Cup as they made a run to the final.

Former Soca Warriors goalkeeper Marvin Phillip will take over the club’s captaincy.

“It’s a huge loss for AC PoS, because Muckette is not only a leader on the pitch, he’s a leader off the pitch as well. It’s an opportunity for one of the youngsters to step up and try to cement a spot on the squad…we don’t want the players to stay here season after season, so it’s an opportunity for him to further his career.”

In the second game of the La Horquetta double-header, table-toppers Defence Force (18 points) will go after a seventh straight win to start the campaign when they play the second-placed Central FC (15 points) from 8 pm. The Army/Coast Guard combination started the season with a pair of 2-1 wins, and they have since scored six goals in each of their last four games.

Soca Warriors playamker Kevin Molino is in great form for Defence Force, and scored hat-tricks in his team’s last two matches against AC PoS and Caledonia.

Central will hope they have what it takes to stop the rampant Defence Force in their tracks.

On January 18, the bottom-placed Eagles will go after their first points of the season when they play Prisons FC from 5 pm at the St James Police Barracks. The sixth-placed San Juan Jabloteh will aim for back-to-back wins when they play Terminix La Horquetta Rangers from 7 pm in St James.

The weekend’s action will conclude with a double-header at the Mahaica Sporting Complex on January 19. The seventh-placed Club Sando will play 1976 FC Phoenix in the first game from 4 pm, with hosts Point Fortin Civic playing Caledonia at 6 pm.

TTFPL tier one standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

Defence Force FC*6*6*0*0*28*9*19*18

Central FC*6*5*0*1*16*6*10*15

AC PoS*6*4*0*2*14*10*4*12

Police FC*6*3*1*2*20*10*10*10

Caledonia*6*3*1*2*10*13*-3*10

Jabloteh*6*2*2*2*13*12*1*8

Club Sando*6*1*3*2*12*8*4*6

Prisons FC*6*1*3*2*7*10*-3*6

Point Fortin Civic*6*2*0*4*8*12*-4*6

1976 FC Phoenix*6*2*0*4*10*17*-7*6

La Horquetta Rangers*6*1*2*3*7*12*-5*5

Eagles FC*6*0*0*6*3*29*-26*0

Police rout Eagles 6-0; ‘Zum Zum’ double sinks Phoenix in TTPFL

LAST season’s Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) runners-up Miscellaneous Police FC jumped to third spot on the 2024/25 league table on January 11, with ten points, after delivering a 6-0 whipping on Eagles FC at the St James Police Barracks.

In a game where Police took a while to find their stride, they were still too good for the cellar-placed Eagles who fell to a sixth straight loss to start the campaign.

With brothers Alvin and Joevin Jones watching on from the sidelines, Police broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when former Soca Warriors centre-back Mekeil Williams headed in a free kick from Jabari Mitchell from close range.

Police lacked their regular fluidity, but they opened up a 2-0 lead in the 40th minute when flanker Kadeem Hutchinson lifted the ball over goalkeeper Jon-Pierre David from a tight angle, after being freed by a through pass.

Hutchinson had the chance to add another goal just before halftime, but fired a volley over bar after being found by an intelligent Mitchell pass.

After the hour mark, the lawmen turned up the heat as they scored four goals in quick succession to put Eagles to the sword to register a third win in the season.

San Juan Jabloteh forward Derrel Garcia (number ten) celebrates with Russel Francois after scoring versus 1976 FC Phoenix in their TT Premier Football League match at the St James Police Barracks on January 11. – Photo courtesy TTPFL

Police top-scorer Kwesi Allen notched his seventh goal of the campaign in the 66th minute, before substitute Jordan Riley helped himself to a brace. Another substitute, Kareem Freitas, rounded off the scoring in the 89th minute.

In the first game of the double-header, Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) star Derrel “Zum Zum” Garcia showed his worth on the professional stage as he netted a double in San Juan Jabloteh’s 3-1 win versus 1976 FC Phoenix.

Kerri McDonald gave the visiting Tobago team the lead in the fourth minute, but Garcia found the net for Jabloteh in the 20th minute as the teams went into halftime locked at 1-1.

In the second half, the youthful Jabloteh, who are coached by Marvin Gordon, dictated the flow of the game, but the three points were only secured in the latter stage of the game through goals from Garcia and Dwight Jordan.

Garcia was a threat throughout with his movement and deft touches from his number-ten position, and he rocked goalkeeper Duvaughn Daniel’s post in the 51st minute with a venomous right-footed volley after receiving a lobbed pass from fellow SSFL star Lindell Sween.

Jabloteh wasted a big chance in the 57th minute as defender Keanu John headed over from close range after a Garcia corner, with winger Trevis Byron being denied by a sharp save five minutes later.

At the other end, Jabloteh goalie Justin Dos Santos made a huge save to deny Lashawn Roberts from point-blank range in the 73rd minute.

Just moments later, Garcia gave Jabloteh the go-ahead goal with a sweet right-footed hit into the far corner after Byron laid it on a plate for him at the edge of the area.

San Juan Jabloteh forward Derrel Garcia celebrates a goal against FC Phoenix. – Photo courtesy TTPFL

In the 90th minute, the lanky Jordan showed a calm head when he finished through Daniel’s legs after being sprung on the counter by Josiah Baird.

Jabloteh’s victory took them three spots up to sixth with eight points, with Phoenix (six points) slipping to ninth spot.

TTPFL action continued at the Arima Velodrome with a double-header on January 12.

TTFPL tier one standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

Defence Force FC*6*6*0*0*28*9*19*18

Central FC*6*5*0*1*16*6*10*15

Police FC*6*3*1*2*20*10*10*10

Caledonia*6*3*1*2*10*13*-3*10

AC PoS*5*3*0*2*10*9*1*9

Jabloteh*6*2*2*2*13*12*1*8

Club Sando*6*1*3*2*12*8*4*6

Point Fortin Civic*5*2*0*3*7*8*-1*6

1976 FC Phoenix*6*2*0*4*10*17*-7*6

Prisons FC*5*1*2*2*7*10*-3*5

La Horquetta Rangers*5*1*1*3*7*12*-5*4

Eagles FC*6*0*0*6*3*29*-26*0

 

Phoenix edge Pt Fortin Civic at Mahaica

1976 FC Phoenix made a winning start in the TT Premier Football League season with a 2-1 win as matchday one continued at Mahaica Oval in Pt Fortin on December 8.

Jariel Arthur opened the scoring for Phoenix from the penalty spot in the seventh minute. Two minutes later, Lashawn Roberts doubled the advantage.

Pt Fortin Civic did not give up and pulled a goal back in the 41st minute through Tyrik Lee.

The goals dried up in the second half as the match ended 2-1.

In a match played simultaneously at the Arima Velodrome, Prison Service FC converted a late penalty to earn a 1-1 draw with Club Sando. Seon Williams scored the spot kick in stoppage time to give Prison the draw after Shackiel Henry’s 51st minute penalty gave Club Sando the lead.

1976 FC Phoenix attacker Jariel Arthur (left) takes on Point Fortin Civic’s Adica Ash in their TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) match at the Mahaica Sporting Complex, Point Fortin on December 8. – Photo courtesy TTPFL

QPCC maul Guaya 10-0, into TTPFL tier 2 semis

Queen’s Park Cricket Club (QPCC) and Harlem Strikers advanced to the semifinals of the 2023/24 Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTFPL) tier two competition after getting contrasting wins over Guaya United and San Fernando Giants on the weekend.

On June 15, the Parkites of QPCC turned many heads at UTT, O’Meara when they got a hammering 10-0 win over Guaya in their playoff encounter to book a spot in the semis. With their opponents starting the game with just nine players, the QPCC team took full advantage as they gave their southern counterparts a harsh and unforgiving football lesson.

QPCC assumed a 3-0 lead by the halfway stage, but it was in the second half where they did their heavy damage to hit double figures. Jemaul Ashing, who captained Arima North Secondary in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) in 2023, began the rout in the 12th minute. Former TT international midfielder Sean De Silva continues to show his durability in tier two, and both he and lanky striker Jaden McKree bagged braces for QPCC.

Jason Devenish also got in on the act for QPCC with his goal in the 86th minute, but it was winger Christian Bailey who stole the show with a hat-trick. The former Fatima College skipper and ex-national under-20 player scored his team’s third goal in the 29th minute, with his other two goals coming in the latter stages of the game as he ended the riot in the 88th minute.

After the demolition act against Guaya, coach Wayne Sheppard and the Parkites will now tackle Defence Force, who finished second during the tier two league campaign.

In the other playoff match on June 16, Harlem did their heavy lifting in the second half as they blanked San Fernando Giants by a 3-0 margin at Frederick Settlement, Caroni. Juron Francis gave Harlem the lead in the 51st minute, with Ross Dowden adding the second item in the 87th minute.

Harlem put the icing on the cake in the dying embers of the game when Ishmael Sawyer rounded off the scoring in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage-time.

Harlem will play MIC Matura ReUnited in the other semifinal. Matura finished the league atop the 15-team table and they’ll hope to replicate that form when they tackle Harlem.

The semis will be played on either June 22 or 23 at venues still-to-be-confirmed.

Last season’s tier two winners, 1976 FC Phoenix, placed sixth in their maiden season in the TTPFL tier one this season.

Duane Muckette: TTPFL champs AC PoS took nothing for granted

NEWLY-MINTED Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) tier one champion captain Duane Muckette said Athletic Club of Port of Spain (AC PoS) took nothing for granted this season.

The attacking midfielder skippered his team to the coveted title on Sunday, scoring once in a 3-0 victory over Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic on the league’s final match day.

AC went into the last round of matches atop the standings, but just two points ahead of tailing title contenders Miscellaneous Police FC. The win for the Capital Boys at Mahaica Sports Complex affirmed the 2024 crown and also eclipsed Police’s 1-0 win over Central FC, which confirmed their second-place finish.

Last season, AC PoS faced a similar scenario as they headed into the final game with a two-point advantage over Defence Force.

However, the PoS team stumbled at the last hurdle with a 2-1 loss and scuppered their chance of lifting the inaugural TTPFL tier one trophy.

This year would be no repeat.

“We’ve worked hard all season. We’ve prepared, we’ve slugged it out, we stuck together and very happy to bring home the title.

“The harder the battle the sweeter the victory. We took nothing for granted. We didn’t get complacent and game by game, we remained concentrated,” said an elated Muckette before the trophy presentation.

The AC captain opened the scoring in the 27th minute and so it remained until half time. Nathan Lewis sent them 2-0 up in the 67th before midfielder Michel Poon-Angeron successfully converted a penalty in the 77th to confirm the league crown.

Muckette said heading into the final day, with the title on the line, the team had one job to do.

“To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect (against Civic). I just came to put in the work, the whole team came with that intention, and we knew once we did that everything would fall into place.

“We had to score the chances. We created a lot of chances, and sometimes we don’t put it in, but today we hit the back of the net.”

Though elated, Muckette said they would celebrate after the match, have a rest day on May 20 and return to training on the next two days, ahead of their First Citizens Cup semi-final clash.

He added, “A lot of celebration but we still we’re going to go forward and buckle down for the knockout to come. There’s a chance for us to win two domestic titles and we want to give it our all.”

Rounding off this year’s league table was Police in second, last year’s winners Defence Force third, Club Sando fourth and Terminix La Horquetta Rangers fifth.

Tobago’s 1976 FC Phoenix placed sixth in their first season in the top flight, Caledonia held on to seventh, Civic eighth, Prisons FC ninth, Eagles FC tenth and Central FC in cellar position.

AC Port of Spain hunt TTPFL title: ‘We’re no fluke’

ON May 19, the Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) will crown a new champion in its second season, when table-toppers AC PoS (41 points) and the second-placed Miscellaneous Police FC (39 points) stake their respective claims for the 2023/24 title.

AC PoS, who finished an agonising second to Defence Force in last year’s inaugural campaign, will play the eighth-placed Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic at the Mahaica Oval in Point Fortin, while Police will host the cellar-placed Central FC at the St James Police Barracks. Five games will be played on Sunday to conclude the league season, with each match kicking off at 4 pm.

Last season, AC PoS were faced with a similar scenario as they headed into the final game of the season with a two-point advantage over Defence Force. However, the “Capital Boys” critically stumbled at the last hurdle when they succumbed to a 2-1 loss to the Army/Coast Guard combination in a thrilling season finale at the Arima Velodrome.

Speaking with Newsday, AC PoS manager Junior Maxwell says the team doesn’t feel any pressure heading into the final game of the season, and they are looking for a more favourable outcome this time around.

“There are no jitters. We have just been working hard in training and trying to continue doing what we have been doing all season – and that’s continue to play good football,” Maxwell told Newsday.

“For us, it’s just another game. Yes, we’re two points clear, but it’s just another game for us to go out there and play football.

“We continue to show people we’re no fluke. We continue working hard and it’s all about progression from last year.”

AC PoS and Police, who added players such as Khaleem Hyland, Robert Primus, Mekeil Williams and Soca Warriors right back Alvin Jones to their lineup for the current season, have constantly changed hands at the TTPFL summit.

In recent weeks, both teams dropped crucial points on their quest to clinch the $250,000 TTPFL top prize. AC PoS drew 1-1 with Prisons FC on May 2, while Police were held to a 3-3 draw in an exciting thriller away to Tobago’s 1976 FC Phoenix on May 5, with veteran striker Anthony Wolfe scoring an own goal deep into second-half stoppage-time.

In their last two games, though, AC PoS have found their stride with wins over the tricky Phoenix (3-2) and the fourth-placed Tiger Tanks Club Sando (32 points).

While Maxwell says AC PoS just need to stick to their regular game, Police coach Wendell Joseph is hoping the Capital Boys can have another slip-up right at the death to allow the lawmen to ascend to TTPFL supremacy.

“It’s business as usual. We don’t know what will happen Sunday in Point Fortin, but we’re preparing as normal,” Joseph said.

“We’re going into the game positive. We think we will get a positive result against Central, and hopefully, Point Fortin can play some good football and upset AC PoS.

“Nobody wants any team to come and celebrate in their backyard. Hopefully, that will be motivation enough for them to put up a good fight.”

Police finished fifth in the league last season, and Joseph credits the team’s turnaround to their injection of experienced national players and the rise of promising youth players.

“Being a young staff, I think we got the chemistry right at times and that has been a part of our success this season,” Joseph said.

With the third-placed Defence Force (37 points) hot on their heels, Joseph said it’s a must-win situation for Police regardless as they want to secure a top-two spot to advance to the Concacaf Caribbean Cup. AC PoS have already sealed their Concacaf Caribbean Cup spot for a second straight season, while the third-placed team will qualify for the CFU Caribbean Shield.

“We just hope we can build on this and hopefully we can qualify for the Concacaf Club Championship automatically and we extend our season a little more and represent the country.”

Defence Force will play Eagles FC at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar. In the other TTPFL matches on the final day of the season, Club Sando will host Terminix La Horquetta Rangers at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, while Phoenix will host Caledonia at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, Tobago.

When the last ball is kicked in anger at approximately 6 pm, a new TTPFL king will be crowned.

TTFPL tier one standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

1.AC PoS*19*12*5*2*46*21*25*41

2.Police FC*19*11*6*2*42*20*22*39

3.Defence Force FC*19*11*4*4*35*19*16*37

4.Club Sando*19*9*5*5*30*24*6*32

5.La Horquetta Rangers*19*8*4*7*38*34*4*28

6.Caledonia*19*6*6*7*32*26*6*24

7.1976 FC Phoenix*19*7*3*9*32*37*-5*24

8.Point Fortin Civic*19*6*5*8*26*27*-1*23

9.Prisons FC*20*7*1*12*25*37*-12*22

10.Eagles FC*19*5*5*9*23*30*-7*20

11.Central FC*19*0*2*17*13*67*-54*2

AC POS survive scare vs Phoenix to move within a point of TTPFL leaders Police

Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) title hopefuls AC PoS (38 points) moved within a point of leaders Miscellaneous Police FC (39 points) when they got an exciting 3-2 win over 1976 FC Phoenix at the Arima Velodrome on May 8.

AC PoS, who finished an agonising second in the inaugural TTPFL season last year, have a game in hand on their rivals Police and similar to last season, they will have their fate in their own hands once more.

AC PoS have two games left against the fourth-placed Tiger Tanks Club Sando (32 points) and sixth-placed Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic (23 points) on May 11 and 19 respectively. Meanwhile, in what promises to be an intriguing final day of the season on May 19, Police will play the cellar-placed Central FC.

With maximum points from their last two games, the “Capital Boys” will be crowned champions on 44 points. Any slip up from coach Walt Noriega’s team, and the lawmen will be well positioned to pip them on the line.

Fresh from their gripping 3-3 draw with Police on May 5, Phoenix started the game full of confidence and they should have taken the lead in the 18th minute when their top marksman Mickaeel “Jem” Gordon was provided with a glorious one-on-one chance. Five minutes later, Gordon drew a fine low save from veteran AC PoS goalkeeper Marvin Phillip after a probing run from midfielder Adriel George.

Phoenix’s wasted chances were AC PoS’s gain, though, and the title chasers struck twice in the space of three minutes to get some daylight. In the 28th minute, midfielder John-Paul Rochford scored with a right-footed shot after receiving a cut back from defender Liam Burns. Attacker Sedale McLean then rolled into an empty net on the half hour mark to make it 2-0 after Phoenix goalie Duvaughn Daniel collided with his burly centre back Jeremiah Bristol as they pursued a loose ball.

In the 56th minute, Phoenix finally made good on their early promise and hard running when Gordon swept home from close range after a lovely counter-attack involving George and centre forward Che Richards to grab his 11th goal of the season. Gordon made the AC PoS defenders uncomfortable with his darting runs in behind, and he spurned a presentable chance just after the hour mark after rounding Phillip and sending a tame effort toward goal.

Similar to the first half, the visiting Tobago outfit were swiftly punished by AC PoS when Grenadian attacker Saydrel Lewis tapped in at the back stick in the 63rd minute after a lovely square from Rochford. Lewis could have doubled his tally four minutes later, but Daniel saved smartly at the first post to stop a firm right-footed shot.

The visitors ensured AC PoS had a shaky final few minutes in Arima, as Phoenix substitute Jahiem Harry scored with a powerful shot from outside the area after getting a layoff from George.

Phoenix got stoppage-time heroics in their last outing to salvage a draw versus Police, but they just fell short in their attempts to take a point off the Capital Boys.

TTPFL title race blown open, Police draw 3-3 with Phoenix

The title race for the 2023/24 TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) took another interesting twist on Sunday evening, when leaders Miscellaneous Police FC (39 points) were held to an exciting 3-3 draw by 1976 FC Phoenix at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, Tobago.

The result took Police four points clear of second-placed AC PoS (35 points) at the TTPFL’s summit. However, with the solitary game left against cellar-placed Central FC, Police will have to depend on AC PoS to drop points in their remaining matches to secure the top spot.

AC PoS have three games left in the season, including a meeting against Phoenix on Wednesday.

The Tobago outfit certainly played the role of spoiler in their clash with Police, and they led twice in the six-goal thriller in Bacolet before scoring dramatically in stoppage time to grab a point.

Phoenix took the lead in the fourth minute when their talisman Mickaeel “Jem” Gordon scored his tenth goal of the season after receiving a lovely pass from midfielder Adriel George. Xavier Rajpaul equalised for Police in the 17th minute, but Phoenix restored their lead just past the half-hour mark when Che Richards finished off another move involving the busy George.

The teams went into the halftime interval level at two apiece as Police flanker Kadeem Hutchinson headed in a left-side cross from Josiah Wilson in the 41st minute.

In the 65th minute, the lively Wilson turned from provider to scorer when he gave the lawmen the lead with a rasping shot from outside the area to make it 3-2.

Police seemed to be heading for the precious three points to take them six points clear of AC PoS, but they were denied by late friendly fire when substitute Anthony Wolfe inadvertently headed a set piece past Police goalkeeper Adrian Foncette in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage-time to level the scores at 3-3.

Phoenix consolidated seventh spot on the table with the draw, and they will do their best to further impact the title run-in on Wednesday when they meet title challengers AC PoS.

TTFPL tier one standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

1.Police FC*19*11*6*2*42*20*22*39

2.AC PoS*17*10*5*2*40*19*21*35

3.Defence Force FC*18*10*4*4*33*18*15*34

4.Club Sando*18*9*5*4*30*21*9*32

5.La Horquetta Rangers*18*7*4*7*36*33*3*25

6.Point Fortin Civic*18*6*5*7*25*20*5*23

7.1976 FC Phoenix*17*7*2*8*27*32*-5*23

8.Prisons FC*19*7*1*11*24*35*-11*22

9.Caledonia*18*5*6*7*26*25*1*21

10.Eagles FC*18*5*4*9*21*28*-7*19

11.Central FC*18*0*2*16*12*65*-53*2

AC Port of Spain drop points in TTPFL title race

Last season’s TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) top two finishers Defence Force and AC PoS had contrasting results when league action resumed with a double-header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo on Thursday night.

Defending champions Defence Force (34 points) jumped to third spot on the 11-team TTPFL table as they rallied late to blank the Eagles FC 2-0, while AC PoS (35 points) were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw by the eighth-placed Prisons FC.

In the first match, Defence Force got a stern test from an Eagles outfit which looked like the more fluent outfit in the first half, particularly with the trickery of Haitian attacker Exilus Angelo. In the 37th minute, the diminutive Angelo drew a fine save from Soca Warriors custodian Christopher Biggette at the end of a flowing Eagles counter-attack.

In the 53rd minute, Biggette was called into action from point-blank range once again when striker Malachi Celestine sent a tame effort on goal after dancing past defender Jelani Felix in a one-on-one sequence.

The reigning champions were far from their best, but they capitalised on Eagles’ lack of sharpness in front of goal to kill off the game with a pair of quick strikes.

Mere seconds after entering the match, Army midfielder Nathaniel Garcia broke the deadlock in the 69th minute when he scored with a crisp left-footed shot from close range after receiving a low cross from striker Brent Sam.

Four minutes later, Defence Force doubled their lead when midfielder Matthew Woo-Ling beat goalkeeper Miles Goodman with a deflected left-footed shot after a neat exchange with substitute Rivaldo Coryat.

Prisons FC goalkeeper Aaron Enill put on a Man-of-the-match showing versus AC PoS in the TTPFL on Thursday. Photo courtesy TTPFL. –

Last season, the inaugural TTPFL title slipped out of AC PoS’ hands when they were defeated by the Army in the final game of the campaign. Trailing this season’s leaders Miscellaneous Police FC (38 points) by four points before kickoff in Mucurapo, the AC PoS players would have been getting flashbacks when striker Ricardo John gave Prisons the lead in the 19th minute. At the end of a counter-attack, John beat veteran goalkeeper Marvin Phillip with a looping header following a lovely scooped pass from Nathaniel Perouse.

Prisons’ early goal set the pattern for the game as they defended with their bodies on the line and tried to strike on the counter with lone striker John.

Former Army goalkeeper Aaron Enill was in fine fettle for Prisons and he made a total of seven saves, while his defenders also made key blocks to keep AC PoS at bay.

In the 51st minute, Prison’s resistance was broken when Sedale McLean scored from close range after receiving a service from Michel Poon-Angeron.

In search of the precious win to move within a point of Police, AC PoS laid siege on the Prisons goal. However, an inspired Enill denied AC PoS on every attempt to preserve the point, including two fine reaction saves to stop lanky Grenadian striker Jamal Charles

Though they still trail Police by three points, AC PoS will take solace in having a game in hand on their closest rivals. Both Defence Force and Police have two games left, while AC PoS have three games remaining.

League action will resume tomorrow when Police travel to Tobago to face 1976 FC Phoenix in a rescheduled match from 5.30 pm at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet.

TTFPL tier one standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

1.Police FC*18*11*5*2*39*17*22*38

2.AC PoS*17*10*5*2*40*19*21*35

3.Defence Force FC*18*10*4*4*33*18*15*34

4.Club Sando*18*9*5*4*30*21*9*32

5.La Horquetta Rangers*18*7*4*7*36*33*3*25

6.Point Fortin Civic*18*6*5*7*25*20*5*23

7.1976 FC Phoenix*16*7*1*8*24*29*-5*22

8.Prisons FC*19*7*1*11*24*35*-11*22

9.Caledonia*18*5*6*7*26*25*1*21

10.Eagles FC*18*5*4*9*21*28*-7*19

11.Central FC*18*0*2*16*12*65*-53*2

 

Police II, Laventille Utd advance in FCB knockout cup

THE preliminary round of the 2024 First Citizens Cup came to an exciting end on Sunday night, with Police FC’s TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) tier two outfit and Miscellaneous Laventille Utd both booking their places in the round of 16.

In the second game of a double-header at the University of TT (UTT) O’Meara campus, Police battled in a servicemen derby against Defence Force’s tier two team.

Police opened the scoring in the 26th minute when Joshua Leach found the back of the net. The lawmen went into the halftime break with a 1-0 lead, and they doubled their lead in the 70th minute when Clevon McFee converted a penalty to make it 2-0.

Defence Force made the dying moments uncomfortable for their Police counterparts, as Kevon Blackman scored in the first minute of second-half stoppage-time to cut the deficit to 2-1.

However, Police held on to get the crucial win to advance to the last 16.

Police’s tier one team, the current leaders in the TTPFL top flight, was one of six clubs to receive a bye through to the last 16.

At Frederick Settlement, Caroni, TTPFL tier two strugglers Laventille Utd pulled off one of the upsets of the preliminary round when they got a 3-1 victory over the fifth-placed tier two team Petit Valley/Diego Martin United (PVDMU). The PVDMU outfit finished as TTPFL tier two playoff finalists last season, but their 2024 knockout cup run was stopped by a determined Laventille Utd team.

The encounter got off to a quite stunning start as three goals were scored in the opening ten minutes, with Laventille Utd jumping out to a 2-1 lead. Qualanson Archibald and Kersheem Alexander scored within a minute of each other to give Laventille Utd an early 2-0 lead before striker Akeil Thomas scored in the ninth minute for PVDMU to cut the deficit to 2-1. Laventille Utd held their slender lead for most of the encounter, and they wrapped up the victory in the 86th minute when Kester Hewitt netted the all-important third goal to send them through to the next round.

In two of the notable results in the preliminary round, tier two team QPCC stunned tier one outfit Caledonia by a 2-0 margin, while Eagles FC got a 3-1 win over 1976 FC Phoenix in the lone all-tier one duel in the first round.

First Citizens Knockout Cup preliminary round results:

Eagles FC 3, 1976 FC Phoenix 1

Club Sando (tier two) 0, Central FC 6

Caledonia 0, QPCC 2

Eagles FC (tier two) 1, Terminix La Horquetta Rangers 6

Heritage Petroleum Point Fortin Civic 4, Central Soccer World 0

Tiger Tanks Club Sando 6, RSSR 0

San F’do Giants 4, Bethel United 0

UTT Patriots 1, Prisons FC 2

PVDMU 1, Miscellaneous Laventille Utd 3

Defence Force (tier two) 1, Police FC (tier two) 2

 

Club Sando thump RSSR in First Citizens Cup

CLUB Sando put six goals past RSSR when preliminary matches kicked off in the First Citizens Knockout Cup over the weekend.

On April 21 at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella, a brace by Shackiel Henry helped Club Sando win 6-0.

Henry opened the scoring for the tier one team in the 33rd minute, before Maurice Dick got his name on the scoresheet in the 44th minute. It went from bad to worse for RSSR as Jabari Forbes found the back of the net in first-half stoppage time.

The goals continued to flow in the second half as Henry scored again in the 58th minute. Jaron Pascall (61st) and Rhondel Gibson (89th) rounded off the scoring for Club Sando in the easy win.

In the second match of the double-header at Manny Ramjohn Stadium, San Fernando Giants whipped Bethel United FC 4-0 in a battle of tier two teams. It was goalless at half-time, before a ruthless second-half performance gave Giants the crushing win.

Andrei Pacheco opening the scoring in the 56th minute and seven minutes later, Abayomi George made it 2-0. Khurlan Khan (82nd) and Jeadon Parris (90th) both found the net in the final ten minutes as Bethel were eliminated.

Also, Prisons defeated UTT Patriots 2-1 in second-half stoppage time at UTT O’meara. Brendon Figuera put Prison in front in the 54th, but Keshaun Charles restored parity in the 81st. However, Aaron Enill fired in the winner from the penalty spot in the 92nd.

On April 20, there were also high-scoring matches. Heritage Petroleum Pt Fortin Civic were comfortable 4-0 winners over tier two’s Central Soccer World at Mahaica Oval in Pt Fortin. Ezekiel Kesar (9th, 28th) and Marcus Joseph (20th, 34th) bagged two goals apiece.

In other matches, Terminix La Horquetta Rangers of tier one defeated tier two’s Eagles FC II 6-1; tier two team QPCC upset tier one’s Caledonia 2-0; Central FC of tier one romped to a 6-0 victory over tier two’s Club Sando II; and Eagles FC got past 1976 FC Phoenix 3-1 in a battle of tier one teams.