Mucurapo SC open in style.
By: Kern De Freitas (Express).
Mucurapo opened their defence of the BG T&T Secondary Schools Football League North Zone title with a comfortable 3-1 victory over St Anthony's College at the Hasely Crawford Stadium yesterday.
The win was a big one for "Compre", as it means they have gotten past their major rivals in the North in their first outing. St Anthony's, the 2003 North champs and returning Inter Col winners, though, will have to re-group if they are to have a chance of claiming national honours this year.
After an even opening 15 minutes where the teams battled for control of the midfield, it was Mucurapo who settled first, and it was no surprise when Khaleem Highland put them in front in the 20th minute, beating Kevin Mossio in the "Tigers" goal after dribbling his way to the 18-metre area.
St Anthony's picked up their game, though, and striker Akil De Freitas earned their reward, as he was brought down in the Compre penalty area when his quick dribbling panicked Mucurapo's defence in the 32nd minute. Lester Peltier stepped up to convert, beating Denzil Cazabon to level the scores at 1-1.
But six minutes later, Mossio's failure to hold onto a low freekick just to his left led to Mucurapo's second, as he allowed to ball to squeeze beneath him and roll over the line for a 2-1 score, which remained at the half.
Mucurapo's Kevon Piper closed out the scoring when he dribbled his way into the area on the right on a counter attack and with Mossio alone to beat slotted home for a 3-1 advantage in the 64th minute.
In the second match of the double-header, QRC had two goals a minute apart at the end of regulation time to sink Malick Senior Comprehensive 2-0.
Competition kicks off in the SSFL South Zone today with a double-header at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, with Naparima College taking on St Benedict's College at 3 p.m., before Vessigny Secondary meet Fyzabad Composite at 5 p.m.
News from the 8th of September 2005.
‘Green Machine’ escapes in opener.
T&T Guardian Reports.
Defending National Big Five and East Zone Intercol champions St Augustine Secondary Comprehensive had to come from behind to earn a draw in their opening fixture against the “Blue Thunder” El Dorado Secondary Comprehensive as the East Zone got the BG T&T Secondary School’s Football League off to a rousing start yesterday at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.
‘Green Machine’ captain Shastri “Two Goal” Spencer put his team in the lead in the ninth minute but El Do’ struck back through Larnel St Hillaire in the 11th minute to level the scores before Jamal Guy gave them a 2-1 lead in the 35th.
El Dorado’s goalkeeper Shemel Cadogan saved valiantly but broke under pressure as St Augustine drew level in the 59th minute.
In the opening game, San Juan Secondary recorded a fairly comfortable 3-0 victory over Hillview College. Both teams showed signs of rust with San Juan taking the lead on the half-hour mark courtesy Joel Russell.
Three minutes before the half, Kadeem Gibbs doubled Hillview’s worries when he got the second.
Following the half-time break, Hillview’s backline got its defensive role correct and stemmed the flow of goals but Kevon Knights’ rash tackle in the area resulted in him picking up a red card and gifted San Juan a penalty.
Akil Harley took the penalty but his shot beat the ‘keeper and rebounded off the upright.
San Juan’s third goal came off the boot of its captain Elijah Manners with three minutes left.
Today, Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive will start defence of its North Zone Championship Division title when it plays last year’s runner-up St Anthony’s College in the first match of a double-header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo from 3pm. This will be followed by a meeting between Malick Senior Comprehensive and Fatima College.
For the “Compre” boys this afternoon’s match will provide them with a chance for a fourth straight win over the “Westmooring Tigers” having won both league meetings and North Zone Inter-Col final last year.
Back this year for Mucurapo are Richard Roy, Atullah Guerra, Akeem Armstrong, Kevon Piper, Jamil Adams, Khaleem Hyland and Kirby Ollivierre.
The “Tigers” will also have a some of last year’s team back with the hope of wresting the title they held from 2001-2003 led by Akil De Freitas, Lester Peltier, Jonathan Glen, Brendon Boucaud and Maunel Razende.
However it will be an uphill task having lost the services of key players in goalkeeper Keegan Davidson, Yohance Marshall, Kevon Neaves, Kareem Freitas, Hans Rogers, Shabbaz Best, Andre Ferreira and Troy Thompson. In the second match of the day, Fatima will fancy its chances of a win against a Malick team that is expected to be in the rebuilding process.
Results
San Juan Sec. 3 (J Russell 30th, K Gibbs 42nd, E Manners 87th) vs Hillview 0.
St Augustine 2 (S Spencer 9th, K Ramirez 59th) vs El Dorado Secondary 2 (L St Hillaire 11th, J Guy 35th).
Today’s matches
(North Zone)
Mucurapo SC vs St Anthony’s, 3pm; Malick SC vs Fatima College, 5pm, at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
(East Zone)
St George’s vs Arima SC, 4pm; St George’s, Barataria.
(South Zone)
Vessigny vs Fyzabad, 3pm; Naparima vs St Benedict’s, 5pm, Manny Ramjohn Stadium.
