For the first time in a while, St Benedict's College find themselves at the head of the South Zone pack. And this afternoon when fifth round matches in the BWIA Secondary Schools Football League are completed, the south leaders will hope to still be there.
Benedict's travel to Pleasantville Senior Comprehensive today in what will be the start of a crucial week for the former champs. After they play second-placed Pleasantville, Benedict's must then face nemesis and reigning zonal and national champs Naparima College.
Pleasantville's shock 3-0 win over Naparima on Saturday opened the way for the tall-scoring Benedict's side to take the lead by one point over Naparima and today's opponents. A lot therefore will be at stake for both Plesantville and Benedict's at the Pleasantville ground.
"Naps" too will be keen to get Saturday's loss out of their system.
The defeat was their first in 24 matches in all competitions. And before they meet Benedict's on Thursday, Ateba McKnight and company will be hoping to have taken out their frustration on Moruga Composite at Skinner Park.
In other south matches, fourth-placed Mayaro Composite, five points behind the leaders, host Presentation College and bottom team Princes Town Senior Comprehensive visit Vessigny Government.
Up north, the teams are nicely bunched with just two points separating the first five teams halfway through the first round. There will be little room for error therefore when second-placed Queen's Royal College (seven points) host defending champs, fourth-placed St Anthony's College (six points).
Recent history suggests a romp for the "Tigers," St Anthony's having outscored QRC 17 goals to six in winning three of their last four league meetings. After two early losses, the champs have also won their last two matches by 5-1 margins.
Elsewhere, leaders St Mary's College will seek to extend their one point lead when they play Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive at Fatima ground, Malick Secondary play Success/Laventille Composite at the Queen's Park Oval and Trinity College host bottom side Tranquillity Secondary at Moka.
In east/central, San Juan Senior Compehensive will seek to extend their fine start to the season with win number five at Carapichaima Senior Comprehensive. Second-placed Arima Senior Comprehensive, though, will be seeking to keep in touch with the leaders when they visit St Augustine Senior Comprehensive. Champs El Dorado, beaten for the first time in 29 league games on Saturday, will also be seeking to regain lost ground when they visit Barataria Secondary, while Presentation College Chaguanas host Toco Composite.
Over in Tobago, unbeaten Signal Hill Senior Comprehensive and Elizabeth's College will aim to keep their runs going when they host Scarborough Secondary and Roxborough Composite respectively.
All matches begin at 4 p.m.
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