San Juan cruise past Signal Hill.
By: Roger Seepersad (Express).
Defending champions San Juan Senior Comprehensive booked their place in the Big Five semi-finals of the BG T&T Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) after defeating Tobago Zone champs Signal Hill 3-1 at Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar yesterday.
San Juan will now face SSFL South Zone winners Naparima College at 5.30 p.m. tomorrow in the second game of a double-header at Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.
North Zone champions Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive will clash with Carapichaima of the Central Zone at 3.30 p.m.
San Juan, who powered their way to the East Zone crown, did not have to wait long for their first goal, which was hammered home in the seventh minute by Keston Jackie, who buried a low, long-range effort past a diving Shaquillo King in goal for Signal Hill.
Signal Hill almost replied just three minutes later when Nariel Wilson collected a cross from Ashley Dove inside the area and was given space and time to turn but his effort sailed over the crossbar.
After that it was all one-way traffic and San Juan added their second in the 17th minute when Akel James headed home. Curtly Dodds had a golden opportunity to make it 3-0 just five minutes later but his shot hit the side netting.
San Juan looked menacing anytime they went forward and in the 27th were gifted a free-kick just outside the penalty area when Anton Simon infringed Hayden John, but the low shot from Jackie was easily cleared.
On the other side of the pitch, Dareem Moore created a good chance for Signal Hill to pull one back, but his 32nd minute free-kick was easily scooped up by San Juan custodian Nigel Morris.
San Juan maintained the pressure and were rewarded in the 39th when James picked out John in front of goal and he calmly poked the ball past King to put his team 3-0 up.
Signal Hill were almost gifted a goal on the stroke of half-time when a back pass from Karlon Johnson was mis-read by the San Juan keeper, but Morris was able to scramble and hold on to the ball.
At the start of the second half, it was a more even contest, with Signal Hill playing positively, and they were rewarded with a penalty in the 50th which was converted by skipper Anderson Taylor, who had been quiet up until that point.
The goal spurred the Tobagonians to mount a spirited display, but they were unable to string together enough passes to cause any more trouble for San Juan.
