In a decisive display of championship form, Defence Force FC reclaimed top position in the TT Premier Football League with a commanding 3-1 victory over San Juan Jabloteh during a January 11 double-header at Ato Boldon Stadium. The defending champions demonstrated strategic superiority with second-half goals from Sheldon Bateau, Tyrese Bailey, and captain Kevin Molino, solidifying their dominance with 29 points and a game in hand over closest rivals.
The match unfolded as a tactical chess match in the first half before exploding into offensive action after halftime. Central defender Bateau broke the deadlock in the 47th minute with his second seasonal goal, followed by Bailey’s clinical finish eight minutes later. Former Defence Force standout Isaiah ‘Bongo’ Leacock temporarily revived Jabloteh’s hopes with a 58th-minute response, but Molino sealed the victory with a 77th-minute strike that demonstrated the Army/Coast Guard combination’s relentless pressure.
This victory marks Defence Force’s second consecutive 3-1 triumph against Jabloteh this month, highlighting their consistent performance against lower-table opposition. The result sees Jabloteh remain in eighth position with 12 points, while Club Sando ascends to second place (27 points) following their 6-0 demolition of bottom-placed 1976 FC Phoenix. Miscellaneous Police FC slipped to third (26 points) after an entertaining 2-2 draw with Terminix La Horquetta Rangers.
In parallel developments, AC Port of Spain climbed to fifth position with a 3-1 victory over MIC Central FC, while Prison FC maintained fourth place through Kyron Williams’ brace against Point Fortin Civic. The league witnessed administrative drama as Eagles FC forfeited their match against Caledonia AIA due to kit violation regulations, resulting in a default 3-0 victory for Caledonia.
The TTPFL action continues January 16 with a La Horquetta double-header featuring Eagles versus Jabloteh and Police facing Prisons, setting the stage for further shifts in the competitive landscape of Trinidad and Tobago’s premier football competition.