'Tigers' draw first blood in North SSFL.
By: Kern De Freitas (Express).[/size]
For the past three years, St Anthony's College have been unable to beat Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive on the football field. Coach Nigel Grovesnor and company will be hoping their 3-1 victory over the defending North Zone champions is the start of a revival this season.
Yesterday, after a rocky start, St Anthony's earned their first victory in the North Zone of the BG T&T Secondary Schools Football League over a vastly depleted Mucurapo.
The only two survivors from last year's starting line-up were national Under-17 player Kevin Molino, and fellow midfielder Kern St Louis. Add a positionally-uncertain custodian in Kwame Farrell and that recipe spelled trouble for "Compre".
After weathering some nervous moments early in the opening session, St Anthony's grew in confidence. One of several raids was cut short with a sliding tackle in the 16th minute, but Tigers' skipper Uriah Bentick bent the resulting free kick beyond Farrell, whose mis-timed leap could not stop the ball from hitting the net. He would hit the metalwork twice more in similar fashion before the end of the match.
Soon after, officials were forced to interrupt the match when torrential rain flooded the outfield. Still, Joevin Joes and St Louis came close to answering for Mucurapo before the half, the latter forcing two good saves out of St Anthony's and national Under-23 goalie Kevin Mussio.
Emery Joyeau wasted the gift of a ball across goal in the 35th, but somehow missed Qian Grovesnor's cross with Farrell beaten.
It would take them until the second half to find the mark again, this time through Rhondele Allen, who dived low to head a Joyeau corner kick past Farrell in the 49th, sparking jubilant celebrations among the St Anthony's fans.
Grovesnor (Q) had asked several questions of the Mucurapo defence throughout the match, but his best efforts were thwarted in front of goal by Farrell and his defenders.
But Farrell had no answer for Grovesnor in the 83rd. The wily forward ran down the left flank and crossed through a crowd of players, Micah Lewis completing the move with a simple tap in.
Molino took charge of the Mucurapo attack much too late in the game and provided their consolation goal with a wonderful solo effort on the right flank. He eluded three defenders and slotted under a diving Mussio to open his team's 2007 account. Too little too late for the Mucurapo Road side, who will have to work hard to regain their North Zone crown this year.
Toco Composite hold St Augustine.
By: Roger Seepersad (Express).The East Zone of the 2007 BG T&T Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) kicked off in conservative style at the Larry Gomes Stadium yesterday as last year's zonal champions St Augustine were held to a 2-2 draw by Toco Composite in the first match of a double-header, which also featured San Juan Senior Secondary and El Dorado Secondary Comprehensive.
Toco came from behind twice through Kerin Vincent to earn a draw, while San Juan edged ElDo 2-1.
In the first game, St Augustine, who rolled over their opponents last year, were made to work extra hard against a Toco side which was much stronger than the one that competed 12 months ago.
Toco were on the attack in the 19th minute with Josiah Eccles taking a free kick but his shot sailed safely over the head of Joel Johnson in goal for St Augustine.
Toco again looked dangerous in the 24th with Vincent dancing past three defenders but he was unable to make any use of the possession as Rupert Brandon fell back to offer his assistance to the shaky 'Green Machine' back line.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 32nd with Brandon crossing the ball into the penalty area and Daniel Joseph bringing it under control before passing to Mark Alibey who buried it in the back of the net to put St Augustine 1-0 up.
They should have gone 2-0 up at the half when Alibey ran onto the ball and had only the Toco keeper Simon Blake to beat but he put his shot wide.
Ten minutes into the second half, Toco got their equaliser through a penalty kick from Vincent.
In the 71st, St Augustine regained the lead after Theon Forde-Edwards made a penetrating run down the right side, taking the ball from the midfield, and putting it on the boot of Seon Charles who blasted home.
But it was Vincent again who put Toco back in the game, getting their second equaliser in the 82nd minute to ensure that the points were shared.
Up-close with sw.net member Touches.
St Anthony's and Mucurapo clashed yesterday in the opening match of the BG TT Secondary Schools Football League at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.St Anthony's won 3-1 in the North Zone match. - (07-Sept-2007)
