HAVING bounced back from two defeats to win its next two matches, defending champions St Anthony's will travel to St Clair today full of confidence against QRC in a match in the North Zone of the BWIA Secondary Schools Football League in which the leading goalscorers will be on show.
The Royalians back four of Chris Durity, Alan Mitchell, Naeem Frederick and Phillip Butcher, as well as goalkeeper Ayinda Abu Bakr, will have to contain two of the deadliest forwards in the zone, Kenwyn Jones and Abiola Clarence.
After two dismal performances, Jones and Clarence have combined to net eight goals between them (four each) in matches against Success/Laventille (5-1) and Trinity (5-1).
Second placed QRC (seven points) will be relying on the in-form Douglas Fredericks, who netted all three goals in its 3-0 win over Success/Laventille on Saturday, if they are to go ahead of St Mary's (eight points), the front-runners.Fredericks is currently the leading goalscorer in the North with six goals, followed by Jones and Clarence on four each.
CIC, away to Mucurapo on Fatima ground, will hope Joel Marquis, Scott Sealey, James Odogwa and Jeremy Del Pino get its act together upfront against the tallest defence of the eight competing teams.Also looking to get back into top gear after two mediocre performances are five-time champions Malick, who face neighbours Success/Laventille at the Queen's Park Oval.
Trinity and Tranquillity will contest the fourth match in the North, both aiming to avoid the cellar-position.San Juan, leaders in the East/Central Zone with maximum 12 points, should have things their own way against Carapichaima, although playing away from home.
However, it would not be easy sailing for second-placed Arima (10 pts), who will be entertained by St Augustine (5 pts).
St Augustine have the players to deliver the goods - Jerwyn Balthazar, Kevaun Connell and Sean Power (all above the average mark) - but are yet to produce the calm, cool style they are known for.El Dorado (7 pts) will play Barataria (3 pts) at Barataria and Presentation (1 pt) will oppose Toco (4 pts) at their Chaguanas venue.
Down South, triple-crowned champions, Naparima will be hoping to bounce back following their shock defeat to Pleasantville on Saturday. They tackle bottom-of-the-table Moruga at Skinner Park.Pleasantville, a team that cannot be taken for granted, will be home to St Benedict's, the current leaders with 10 points.
Presentation (San Fernando) will journey to Mayaro and Princes Town will be away to Vessigny in the other matches. Signal Hill, 14-time winners in Tobago, will tackle winless Roxborough on their school ground, while Elizabeth's come up against Bishop's at Bon Accord. Kickoff in all matches is 4 pm.