Out-of-favour national winger Tyrone Charles netted a hat-trick to lead Club Sando to a come-from-behind 6-2 hammering of North East Stars in a rescheduled match in the T&T Pro League at the Ato Boldon Stadium Couva on Saturday night.
With one round of matches left for the top four teams which comprise, five-time league winners W Connection heads the table with 34 points from 17 matches, one ahead of Club Sando, Police FC and three-time winners, Central FC.
In addition to the league title at stake for the top four teams, the race is also on for a top-two finish in the CONCACAF Champions League qualifying tournament in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU).
At Couva, last year’s champions Stars’ took a shock lead as early as the second minute thanks to Allister Bernard.
However, Charles then fired in a quick double in the 16th and 25th minutes, only for Kordell Samuel to pull Stars even in the 27th and 2-2 at the half-time whistle.
Needing to secure full points to keep the pressure on W Connection, Police and Central FC, Club Sando started the second-half much brighter and regained the lead in the 52nd minute through Shackiel Henry.
Keron Cornwall then made it 4-2 in the 60th after which Charles completed his hat-trick in the 84th, and teenager Quinn Rodney chipped in with another in the 91st to cap off a solid display from the Angus Eve-coached line-up.
On Friday when the final round of matches kicked off, ace striker, Devorn Jorsling got a 43rd-minute winner for Defence Force to beat Pt Fortin Civic 2-1 at Mahaica Oval, Pt Fortin.
Nathaniel Garcia fired Civic ahead in the 27th, but Darius Ollivierra drew the visitors level in the 40th before Jorsling, one of only three local men with more than 100 Pro League goals along with Kerry Baptiste and Arnold Dwarika netted the decisive item. Guyana’s Randolph Jerome is the only other player with more than 100 Pro League goals. When the final round of matches continue this week, W Connection will be heavily fancied to complete its title chase as it faces cellar-placed Stars; while Central FC and Police clash; and Morvant Caledonia United meet Club Sando. And in the other match. while Jabloteh faces Rangers.
Latest standing T&T Pro League standings
Teams*P*W*D*L*GF*GA*Pts
1. W Connection*17*9*7*1*39*8*34
2. Club Sando*17*10*3*4*44*23*33
3. Police FC*17*10*3*4*37*20*33
4. Central FC*17*10*3*4*41*25*33
5. Defence Force*17*8*3*6*34*20*27
6. Morvant Caledonia *17*7*6*4*33*22*27
7. Jabloteh*17*7*3*7*24*24*24
8. Pt Fortin Civic*18*3*2*13*20*46 11
9. St Ann’s Rangers*17*3*1*13*13*62*10
10. North East Stars*16*1*3*12*15*50*6