The chasing pack are now right on the heels of the wounded Tigers from St Anthony’s College, and the current leaders of the Premier Division will be in desperate need of a win this afternoon when action in the BG T&T/First Citizens Secondary Schools Football League continues.
After consecutive defeats—5-1 and 3-2—against Naparima College and San Juan North Secondary respectively, previously unbeaten Sy Anthony’s find themselves with just a two-point lead over second-placed Naps, with San Juan leading a group of three teams who are just a further point behind.
Things have got tight with five games to go in the title race, so despite playing their third game in five days, St Anthony’s will have to find a way to lift themselves against St Mary’s College who they visit this afternoon.
A match against their keen North Zone rivals would not have been the type of fixture coach Nigel Grosvenor might have preferred to get his team out of their current rough patch. But St Mary’s themselves have been struggling, having taken just two points from their last four games, which have also included consecutive losses against Shiva Boys Hindu College and San Juan. The need by both sides for full points, if nothing else, should make for a gripping game.
Naparima meanwhile, bolstered by their big win on the weekend, will be looking to take down another North Zone team when Fatima College visit them at Lewis Street. Naps have steadily worked their way up the table on the back of some heavy scoring in their last three games since a 3-0 defeat to old rivals St Benedict’s. Naparima have found the net 13 times since then, so Fatima, down in the bottom half of the table and just one point outside of the relegation zone, should brace themselves.
This afternoon could also prove important to San Juan who host relegation-threatened Presentation College San Fernando. A victory for the Bourg Mulatresse side would keep them within striking distance of the top spot.
For Presentation, however, any point will do, but for that to happen, they will likely have to score, which they haven’t done in their last three fixtures.
These are also crucial times for fourth-from-bottom Chaguanas North, Arima North and cellar-placed East Mucurapo Secondary. Chaguanas did themselves some good by earning a 0-0 draw at St Benedict’s in a rescheduled game on Monday that moved them out of the bottom three. That showing should encourage them on their visit to mid-table St Augustine Secondary.
Third-from-last Arima, beaten by Chaguanas on the weekend, travel to Trinity East, while Mucurapo, who earned their first win of the season on Saturday after beating Carapichaima East Secondary, take on Shiva Boys at Guaracara Park.
In the other match in the division, Carapichaima host St Benedict’s.
In Tobago, leaders Speyside Secondary will seek to press for a spot in the national Big Four playoffs when they host Bishop’s High School whose last match against Scarborough Secondary was aborted following a brawl between the teams.
Meanwhile, Signal Hill Secondary, two points behind, take on Scarborough at Signal Hill. In the other match, Goodwood play Pentecostal Light and Light. All matches begin at 3.45 p.m.
Today’s SSFL Fixtures
Premier Division
St Mary’s vs St Anthony’s, St Mary’s
Naparima vs Fatima, Lewis Street
San Juan North vs Presentation San F’do
St Augustine vs Chaguanas North, St Augustine
Shiva Boys vs East Mucurapo, Guaracara Park
Arima North vs Trinity East, Arima
Carapichaima East vs St Benedict’s, Carapichaima
Tobago Zone
Signal Hill vs Scarborough, Signal Hill
Speyside vs Bishop’s High, Speyside