QRC upset St Anthony's.
Mucurapo trounce Diego Martin.
By: Roger Seepersad (Express).[/size]
Queen's Royal College had an upset 2-1 win over St Anthony's College at the Hasely Crawford Stadium yesterday as they booked their place in the RBTT InterCol North Zone semi-final.
QRC had their share of luck throughout the encounter, but it was St Anthony's lack of a natural goal-scorer that cost them the game.
St Anthony's had more ball possession but did not take advantage of their chances. Early in the first half, the "Westmoorings Tigers" launched an all-out attack on the QRC goal, coming close in the opening five minutes, when Mican Lewis crossed into the penalty box where Jonathan Glen's effort sailed wide.
In the 12th minute, Lewis missed the far post with a curling shot from close range. Five minutes later, on the counter-attack, QRC took advantage of a defensive blunder by "Tigers" goalkeeper Kevin Mossio, who fumbled the initial shot from Franz Husbands who managed to score on his second attempt.
In the 22nd minute, St Anthony's had their best attempt through Duane James, who took a vicious shot from inside the box which beat the QRC goalie but hit the cross bar.
QRC played a defensive game, rarely pushing forward as St Anthony's went for the equaliser.
In the second half, St Anthony's started well, applying immense pressure but lacking the essential finishing touch. Then QRC were rewarded for their patience as they moved forward and were given a penalty in the 76th minute.
Kofi Trim stepped up and missed on his first attempt but netted after the referee ordered him to re-take it.
The Tigers got a consolation goal in the 82nd minute when Kevon Villoreaul stuck a beautiful free-kick from just outside the box. The ball sailed into the far side, but it was too little, too late as St Anthony's made a dramatic exit from the North Zone Intercol competition.
In the second game of the double-header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive hammered Diego Martin Government Secondary 5-0 as they secured a spot in the Saturday's semi-final. The North Zone semis will feature Malick Senior Comprehensive versus Fatima College from 3 p.m. and Mucurapo up against QRC from 5 p.m. at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Naps, St Augustine start campaign.
By: Kern De Freitas (Express).[/size]
Since the RBTT InterCol tournament began four days ago, 12 teams have already exited the stage for the Secondary Schools Football League 2006 season.
South rivals Moruga Composite and Vessigny Secondary will do battle from 3 p.m. this evening at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella to determine which of the two will be the next zonal InterCol casualty.
The teams have met twice for the season in the South Zone league and neither has gained any advantage over the other. In their first round outing, they drew 0-0 and again cancelled each other out with a 1-1 scoreline in the return encounter.
The stakes are much higher today, though, with the loser having their season effectively ended.
The victors are expected to have the unenviable task of facing champions Naparima College in the South InterCol "semis".
Naparima will face the top South Zone Senior Division team in Siparia Secondary from 5 p.m. in the second affair at the Marabella stadium.
"Naps" are unbeaten in South Zone contests this year and should remain that way after meeting Siparia.
Today's other pair of InterCol matches takes place in the East Zone, with Toco and Hillview hoping to book their place in the East semi-finals when they clash from 3 p.m. at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.
The other match of the double header, scheduled for 5 p.m., features newly-crowned "Big Five" champs, the "Green Machine" of St Augustine Secondary Comprehensive, up against Trinity College East.
Today's RBTT InterCol fixtures
- Vessigny vs Moruga, Manny Ramjohn Stadium, 3 p.m.
- Naparima vs Siparia Secondary, Manny Ramjohn Stadium, 5 p.m.
- Toco vs Hillview, Larry Gomes Stadium, 3 p.m.
- St Augustine vs Trinity College East, Larry Gomes Stadium, 5 p.m.
