Saints put the hurt on Malick.
By: Joel Julien & Nikita Braxton (Express).[/size]
St Mary's College showed their "Spartan" spirit and upset Malick Secondary Comprehensive 2-1 after extra-time in a hard-fought RBTT North Zone InterCol Final at the Hasely Crawford Stadium yesterday. Using the theme of the Spartans from the movie 300, the Saints, campaigning in the Senior Division of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) after being relegated last year, were able to defeat their more fancied Championship Division rivals.
The game was a close encounter but the deadlock was eventually broken in the 75th minute when Malick skipper Robert Primus fired a bullet from outside the 18-metre box. St Mary's custodian Matthew Jardim could only parry the shot into the path of Akieem Bailey, who played the ball across the face of the Saints' goal where Brandon Victor tapped in.
The goal caused St Mary's head coach Jason Edwards to become aggravated and the referee eventually ordered him off to view the remainder of the game from the stands.
However, 11 minutes later, the CIC faithful were given something to cheer about when they levelled the score. St. Mary's captain Veer Lakhan-Joseph hit a well-directed cross to Hakeem King, who slotted it past the outstretched hands of Malick goalie, Joseph Baird.
Apart from losing their goal advantage, Malick also lost their captain when Primus received a second yellow card in the 90th minute.
The game flowed into extra time when there was another tense moment with Baird saving three consecutive close-range attempts on goal.
However, St. Mary's midfielder Leston Paul's golden boots did not disappoint and he scored the game-winner in the tenth minute of extra time.
Coach Edwards praised his team's effort, saying they "showed a lot of heart and Malick probably underestimated them". He also called on the SSFL to review the officiating of the final.
"A tough game but the better team won because we played with heart," Paul said over the screams of the St Mary's fans.
InterCol action continues today when the South Zone title will be decided with Naparima College taking on Presentation College San Fernando from 4 p.m. at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.
