CIC, St Augustine, Pres Sando win zonal titles.
T&T Newsday Reports.St Mary’s, St Augustine and Presentation San Fernando captured the respective North, East and South Zonal crowns yesterday, as the Championship Division of the British Gas Trinidad and Tobago (BGTT) Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) continued.
The North Zone title was copped by St Mary’s, courtesy of a 2-0 win away to Trinity at Moka, Maraval.
St Mary’s have 24 points, one more than QRC, who have completed their campaign (they will be on a bye on Friday), while St Anthony’s and dethroned champs Mucurapo are next on 20, with one match remaining.
QRC, who needed a win to keep alive their title hopes, drew goalless away to St Anthony’s, at Westmoorings, while Mucurapo edged hosts Fatima 3-2.
St Augustine took the East Zone trophy, following a 5-1 trouncing of their visitors Sangre Grande. San Juan, the 2008 winners, fell 1-0 to El Dorado at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar, Arima while Toco edged the visiting Trinity East 4-3.
Presentation San Fernando conquered the South Zone title after whipping Shiva Boys 2-0 in the first match of a double-header at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella.
Dethroned champs Naparima edged hosts Siparia 1-0 and, in the other game at Marabella, Princes Town pipped St Benedict’s 1-0.
Carapichaima concluded their unbeaten run in the Central Zone, and a successful defence of their crown, with a 9-0 massacre of hosts Presentation Chaguanas, while Marabella strolled past Gasparillo 2-0 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
And Mason Hall ended their conquest of the Tobago Zone with a 2-2 draw against dethroned winners Signal Hill at Bon Accord, while, in a clash of the table-proppers, Roxborough edged last-placed and host Goodwood 1-0.
SSFL round up reports (13-Sept-09)North Zone Round CIC crowned North Zone Champions: Trinity 0 - 2 St Mary's The wait is finally over for CIC fans as they claimed the 2009 North Zone title with a 2-0 victory over Trinity at Trinity Grounds.
The victory put the 'Saints' in an unassailable 24 points with one round of matches to spare.
Christian Briggs and Chad Appoo were the goal scorers and CIC move to top of the table with 24 points.
Trinity remain in 6th spot with 2 points, just edging Woodbrook on goal difference.
QRC held at St Anthony's: St Anthony's 0 - 0 QRC QRC, in their last game of the league, lost their lead in the North Zone after a 0-0 with the Tigers at St Anthony's. The draw was costly as they slipped to 2nd place with 23 points behind their rivals CIC. St Anthony's hang on to 3rd spot with 20 points.
The first half saw a tight battle between the two teams with few good goal scoring opportunities being created by either team. St Anthony's was the better side in the first 45 minutes keeping QRC pinned back in their half of the field for long periods, but rarely threatened the QRC goal. Reshad Allen had the best effort of the opening half when he had a powerful go from just outside the penalty area but his shot was too high.
The game opened up a bit after the break, but still neither team was able to break the deadlock. Mikhail Walters should have opened the scoring shortly after the restart, after Andel Francois skillfully got past his marker and laid the ball off perfectly for him just outside the 6 yard box, but somehow Walters placed his shot over the bar from close range. Akil Morris looked dangerous for QRC up front and he gave his fans something to cheer about when he showed quick feet and burst forward into the Tiger's half, before unleasing a powerful shot that also went overbar.
The game would end controversially however as St Anthony's appeared to have valid claims for a penalty in stoppage time, when Gavin Samaroo was clumsily brought down from behind in the penalty box. All eyes turned to the referee but he waved play on much to the frustration of the St Anthony's players and fans and blew the whistle for full time shortly after.
Mucurapo come out top in derby: Fatima 2 - 3 Mucurapo Mucurapo defeated their neighbors Fatima today and overtook them in the league table with a 3-2 victory at Fatima Grounds. Goals from Samuel Delice, Kaejay Ramdoo (penalty) and Jamal Williams gave Mucurapo the victory.
Anslem Jackson and Andrew Smith scored for Fatima in the entertaining battle between the two teams. Mucurapo now sit in 4th position in the North with 20 points, level on points with St Anthony's but behind on goal difference. Fatima slip to 5th spot with 19 points.
Mucurapo host Trinity on Friday 16th October when North Zone concludes, with 'Compre' in with a remote chance for 2nd spot, while Trinity will be struggling to avoid relegation. St Anthony's host Fatima, with the 'Tigers' also fighting for 2nd spot, while Fatima would need a victory to seal 3rd spot. CIC can afford to rest players when they host Woodbrook having wrapped up the title, but Woodbrook can afford no such luxury as they need points if they are to escape the drop.
Tobago Zone Round UpChampions Mason Hall held to draw: Mason Hall 2 - 2 Signal Hill Mason Hall, crowned Tobago Zone Champions from the previous round, drew 2-2 with Signal Hill in their last game of the Tobago league.
The result gives Mason Hall 20 points while Signal Hill move into 2nd spot with 11 points, ahead of Scarborough on goal difference.
Makiel McKenzie and Selvon Williams were on target for the champions.
Goodwood relegated: Goodwood 0 - 1 Roxborough Roxborough picked up 3 important points in the relegation battle between themselves and Goodwood when they emerged 1-0 winners. Dillon Villafana was the hero for the visitors and they stay in 4th spot with 6 points, 5 points clear of relegation bound Goodwood.
Two matches which were previously postponed are scheduled to be played on Friday 16th October. Relegation bound Goodwood host Scarborough while Signal Hill host Roxborough.
Central Zone Round UpCarapichaima claim title with ease: Presentation 0 - 9 Carapichaima Carapichaima sent a strong message to their Big Five opponents after defeating Presentation College Chaguanas by 9-0 in their final game of the league campaign.
Caps successfully defend their Central Zone title once again, while Presentation have to settle for 2nd place.
Anton Gill scored 4 goals and he was joined on the scoreboard by Nathan James with 2, Isaiah Rivers, Christian Ralph and Idris Dailey unfortunately scored on own goal.
Marabella finish in 3rd: Marabella 2 - 0 Gasparillo Marabella defeated their neighbours Gasparillo by 2-0 at the Ato Boldon Stadium thanks to strikes from Patrick Julien and Carlon Howard. They finish the league in 3rd spot with 10 points while Gasparillo end up in 4th spot with 5 points.
South Zone Round Up'Pres' San Fdo clinch title: Presentation San Fernando 2 - 0 Shiva Boys South has a new champion and it's Presentation College, who take the coveted trophy away from Naparima after years of dominance.
A goal on either side of half time saw Presentation come out 2-0 winners over Shiva thanks to Tristan Khan netting in the first and Malcolm Nedd scoring in the 2nd half.
Presentation now have 26 points in the South Zone, while Shiva still hang on to that 4th spot with 13 points.
Naparima get difficult win, Siparia relegated: Siparia 0 - 1 Naparima Naparima College have the edge in the battle for 2nd place in the South after a slim 1-0 victory over relegation bound Siparia in Siparia.
Jared Bennett netted the lone goal of the match and Naparima now have 20 points and pull ahead of St Benedict's in the standings by 1 point.
Siparia sit in 7th spot with 5 points, 7 points behind closest rivals and will be relegated next campaign.
Princes Town down Benedict's: Princes Town 1 - 0 St Benedict's Cleon Ayers found himself on the scoreboard again for Princes Town, this time in a 1-0 victory over St Benedict's.
Princes Town escape the relegation zone with the win as they pull themselves 7 points clear of bottom placed, Siparia. St Benedict's slip to 3rd spot with 19 points.
Naparima and St Benedict's clash on Friday 16th October in a battle for 2nd spot in the South. Princes Town have a chance to climb higher in the table when they host Siparia while Vessigny and Presentation meet in the 3rd fixture.
East Zone Round UpGreen Machine claim East Zone title: St Augustine 5 - 1 Sangre Grande St Augustine were crowned East Zone Champions in emphatic fashion after handing Grande a 5-1 defeat at St Augustine Grounds.
Kyle Thompson scored for the visitors but he was sorely out-gunned as Theon James, Vernell Ramirez, Ishmael Clement, Jevaughn Vance and Xavion Navarro all found the target for the champions.
St Augustine now have 28 points in the East Zone. Grande slip to 7th spot in the table after the defeat with 8 points
Relegation battle heats up: Toco 4 - 3 Trinity Keish Charles was in fine form, scoring all 4 goals in Toco's 4-3 win over Trinity, and getting his team 3 important points as they seek to avoid relegation.
The victory moves Toco into 5th spot with 10 points. Robert Alexis scored a double for Trinity and he was joined by Marvin Springer but it was not enough and Trinity remain in 4th position with 12 points.
El Dorado do the double over San Juan: El Dorado 1 - 0 San Juan El Dorado defeated rivals, San Juan, for the second time this season, this time 1-0 at El Dorado Grounds. The goal was scored by newcomer, Kevon Noriega, one of the players recently brought into the team to replace injured first team regulars.
San Juan remain 2nd in the East Zone with 20 points. El Dorado pull level on points with San Juan, but sit in 3rd due to goal difference
Arima and Toco face off in a battle to avoid relegation when East Zone action resumes on Friday 16th October. San Juan and St Augustine also clash, but we can expect St Augustine to rest key players as they focus on the Big Five competition. El Dorado make the trip to Sangre Grande, with Grande desperately in need of all 3 points if they are to stay up for next season.
For more information on Trinidad and Tobago Secondary School football news please visit: Schoolsportscenter.com - Reports By: Justin Henry