Hillview upset 'Green Machine'
By Mark Pouchet (Express)
Defending East Zone champions St Augustine Secondary are still without a win after underdogs Hillview College upset them 3-2 at their home ground on Warren Street yesterday.
It was the surprise result of the three matches that were played in the BG T&T Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) East Zone as San Juan became the unexpected and early zonal leaders with their second win in as many games.
The other matches went according to expectations, with El Dorado Senior Comprehensive defeating rivals Arima Senior Comprehensive 2-0 at the Blue Thunder's ground, while at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar, San Juan Secondary edged Championship Division newcomers, Malabar Composite 2-1.
At Warren Street, "Gustine" twice came from behind to equalise after Stefon George had put the visitors in front and an own goal re-asserted their advantage.
Shastri Spencer scored from the penalty spot, while Lorenzo King levelled for the Green Machine. But a controversial 88th minute penalty was converted by Hillview to seal the win for the improbable victors.
At El Dorado, the hosts were able to adapt to the uneven, dusty, hard track that sloped downward North to South to make sure the Dial Dynamos would not come away with a point.
To be fair, the first half was marked by jumbled play with both teams finding it difficult to string together more than three passes in a row.
It was no surprise then that there was no goal to show, although Juron Sanderson for Arima and Jamal Gay for Eldo had two good close-range opportunities which the first blasted overbars, while the other scuffed a harmless shot to Arima keeper Ita Charles.
However, coach Trevor Spicer got his team to use the flanks more in the second period. And it paid immediate dividends.
Captain Keston "Zico" Henry first benefitted from a darting run from the right by striker Dwight Crichlow, who squared the ball past Charles for Henry to blast into the roof of the net after 53 minutes.
Then five minutes later Eldo's Israel Agana laid off for him in the box which Henry took with aplomb, hitting the sphere sweetly on the half-volley to bury the ball to Charles right.
After that ElDo dominated as Arima unsuccessfully attempted to force their way down the middle of the field.
They were lucky not to go further behind under a barrage of attacks from Eldo. But the main reason for their loss was their inability to adapt to the prevailing conditions.
Fatima trounce Tranquillity.
By Kern De Freitas (Express)
Fatima College lead the North Zone standings on goal difference after the first round of competition in the 2005 BG T&T Secondary Schools Football League with a 6-0 dismantling of Tranquillity Government Secondary at Fatima ground, Mucurapo Road yesterday.
And in the South Zone, Princes Town got off to a winning start, turning back Mayaro 2-0 at home, thanks to goals on either side of the half from Keslon Clarke (10th minute) and Gerron McKnight (55th).
Fatima, who kept most of their core players from a young side that competed in the SSFL last season, were easily the better team on the day. They were hardly pressed to improve their casual game, settling for target practice, and could have won by a greater margin had their shooting not been so askew.
Two first half goals for Makesi Lewis, in the 17th and 29th minutes, as well as a double from fellow striker Chad De Freitas, among myriad misses and wayward shots, gave Fatima a 4-0 advantage at halftime.
Tranquillity's best chance came from Olonzo King, who was just short of reaching a long ball on the left, which was eventually collected by Fatima 'keeper Adrian Foncette.
In the second period, it was more of the same, despite the valiant effort of "Tranquil" goalkeeper Keron Joseph, in what seemed more like a comedy of errors than a football match.
The Fatima marksmen seemed able to put the ball everywhere else but the net, when they were not offside, and Tranquillity seemed unable to keep them out.
The drought ended four minutes from time in the 86th minute with a Keron Villaroel strike, with Kirron Marin getting goal number six for Fatima in the final minute of regulation time.
In Fatima's next encounter against defending North Zone champions Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive-who, along with Fatima and QRC have three points-they will not have the luxury of wasted chances. And for Tranquil, the season ahead appears to be a long one.
News from the 10th of September 2005.
South champs struggle on opening day.
T&T Guardian Reports.
Secondary Schools’ Football League South Zone league champs Naparima College and Intercol champs Fyzabad Composite struggled on the zone’s opening day yesterday.
In the first match of a double- header at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, “Naps” and last year’s third placed team in the league competition St Benedicts, were involved in an unappetising 0-0 stalemate that did not live up to the expectations of either team supporters.
Last season Naparima edged Princes Town by one point to lay claim to the title. In that season, the team won nine and drew four matches failing to get points on only one occasion.
And, while this season has not begun as they would have hoped, both teams have traditionally been one of the league’s more steady outfits and should recover from the early listlessness seen yesterday..
Vessigny wins.
In the second match ,Vessigny High School, exacted revenge on Fyzabad for the cruel 1-0 defeat it suffered to the defending champs in last year’s South Intercol final at the same venue, with a similar victory on opening day.
Kyle Jackman’s 20th minute goal for the Intercol runners-up was enough for full points and helped dispelled the demons of last season and opening up a world of possibilities for the remainder of the 12- match league season.
