TOBAGO FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PRESS RELEASE
BISHOP’S HIGH SCHOOL VS FRIENDS SEMINARY; COUSIN VS COUSIN ENDS IN A 3-3 DRAW
Date: Wednesday 31st August
In the world of high school football in Tobago, there is a relatively strong likelihood you may find yourself playing against a member of your immediate or extended family. Less likely is the chance you will be coaching against one. This realisation however, came to fruition when Bishop’s high School played host to Friends Seminary High School of New York at the Mt. Pleasant Recreational Ground yesterday. The final result ended with an exciting and deserved 3-3 draw and the sharing of the spoils, maybe a just result to two programs that have made incredible progress over the last 5 years.
Both Warren Salandy and Richard Goddard are cousins, first cousins to be exact. Both are former national footballers, college graduates (Warren Salandy has a degree in Physical Education and Athletic Training from CUNY Brooklyn, Richard Goddard in Business Administration from Roberts Wesleyan College), Bishop’s High School alumni, lived in Calder Hall, learned their football at St. Clair’s Coaching School under the guidance of Mr. Bertille St. Clair and are current coaches of Friends Seminary and Bishop’s High School boys programs. The fact both Richard and Warren had been communicating to each other about this trip to Tobago since August of 2015 speaks to their like-minded thought processes when it comes to the holistic development of footballers (soccer players).
Friends Seminary, fresh off a 2-0 win (Henry Lieber and Jay Hickey) verses St. Clair Coaching School on Monday 29th, jumped on Bishop’s early and often and was duly rewarded with a fantastic goal from Lucas Prior in the 9th minute. Within 10 minutes the score was 3-0 with Prior’s 2nd goal of the match and a Rio Hope-Gund strike. The shock to the Bishop’s players was evident. Not since last year had they seen the back of a 3-0 score and it didn’t end well. However, as we all know, football can be a strange game and no lead is safe. The Bishop’s High School recovery began with a goal from Dominique Lyons in the 65th minute. A through ball sent Quie Pollard through and his cross was scored by Xavier King in the 75th minute. The final item of a brilliant recovery saw Che Rochford drilling a shot past the Friends Seminary goalkeeper to cap off a remarkable 3-goal comeback.
Mixed emotions and fortunes for both coaches but under the circumstances, the result felt as though it was destined to be that way. Cousinly love that’s brotherly. The appreciation of coaching against each other was felt after the match as both Warren and Richard hugged and congratulated each other on jobs well done. In reality, that hug meant so much more; Andy, Dane and Nikaula more. Both will understand.
The final match on the Friends Seminary tour will be against a Tobago FA U-17 Invitational team at Signal Hill Community Ground at 6pm on Thursday 1st September. All are invited.
Written by Richard Goddard
