2023 SSFL Thread

[Flex]

San Juan North faces tricky Speyside trip.
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian).

San Juan North Secondary School, led by influential duo Lindell Sween and Nathan Quashie, will be hoping to maintain or even stretch their lead at the top of the 16-team Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Boys’ Premier Division when they travel to Speyside Secondary Wednesday for a 3.30 pm clash at Speyside Recreation ground in Tobago.

San Juan North, under the supervision of long-serving coach Jerry Moe, goes into the match with 21 points from eight matches, two more than national Inter-Col champion Fatima College while four-time former winners Naparima College sits third with 18 points, one ahead of another former champion Presentation College of San Fernando. St Anthony's College and Arima North Secondary are next with 15 points, one ahead of defending champion St Benedict's College with Speyside, a further point back in the eighth position.

So far this season, San Juan North has rattled off three wins from as many matches on the road, 2-0 over Presentation, 2-1 at Queen's Royal College and 1-0 over Arima North and buoyed by their 6-0 thrashing of Bishop's High School on Saturday at their San Juan home ground, will travel to the sister-isle brimming with confidence.

On the other hand, Speyside has proved to be tricky opposition at home, having secured victories against Bishop's High (3-1) and East Mucurapo Secondary (2-1) while holding Presentation to a 1-1 draw, with a 1-0 loss to Fatima their lone blemish, and will be eager to slow the title march of the visitors today.

In other key matches, Fatima makes the short journey to Maraval Road to face Queen's Royal College (QRC) while Naparima entertains Bishop's High at Lewis Street, San Fernando; St Benedict's hosts Presentation at Mahaica Oval, Point Fortin, and St Anthony's is at home to Malick Secondary in Westmoorings.

In the other matches, Arima North and East Mucurapo meet at the Arima Municipal Stadium, Trinity College East and St Mary's College square off at Trincity, and cellar-placed duo Pleasantville and Chaguanas North do battle at Yolande Pompey recreation ground in Princes Town.

Today's matches:

St Benedict’s vs Presentation (San Fernando), Mahaica Oval, Point Fortin 4 pm

St Anthony’s vs Malick Secondary, St Anthony's College ground, Westmoorings, 4 pm

Naparima vs Bishop’s High, Lewis Street, San Fernando, 4 pm

Fatima vs QRC, Fatima College ground, Mucurapo Road, 3.30 pm

Pleasantville vs Chaguanas North, Manny Ramjohn Stadium Training Field, 4 pm

Speyside High vs San Juan North, Speyside recreation ground, 3.30 pm.

Arima North vs East Mucurapo, Arima Municipal Stadium, 4 pm

Trinity East vs St Mary’s, Trincity, 4pm

Current standings:

Position Team P W D L F A Pts
1 San Juan North 8 7 0 1 24 10 21
2 Fatima 8 6 1 1 27 4 19
3 Naparima 8 6 0 2 36 7 18
4 Presentation 8 5 2 1 12 3 17
5 St Anthony’s 8 5 0 3 23 12 15
6 Arima North 8 4 3 1 14 5 15
7 St Benedict’s 8 4 2 2 16 8 14
8 Speyside 8 4 1 3 12 13 13
9 St Mary’s 8 4 0 4 23 26 12
10 Malick 8 3 0 5 21 13 9
11 QRC 8 3 0 5 13 12 9
12 East Mucurapo 8 3 0 5 9 20 9
13 Trinity East 7 1 2 4 8 11 5
14 Bishop’s High 7 1 0 6 4 20 3
15 Chaguanas North 8 1 0 7 3 46 3
16 Pleasantville 8 0 1 7 4 39 1

SSFL Premier Division top scorers:

9 - Ryan Radellant (St Mary's)

8 - Kyle Phillip (St Mary’s), Nathan Quashie (San Juan North)

7 - Kanye Francis (Naparima), Lindell Sween (San Juan North)

6 - Jaheem Danclair (San Juan North), Andell Fraser (St Anthony's), Aiden De Gannes (Fatima), Vaughn Clement (Presentation), Daniel Jones (St Benedict's)

5 - Jonathan Mason, Aidan De Gannes, Michael Chaves (Fatima), Stephon James (QRC)

4 - Akiel Vesprey, Jaron Pascall, Tevin Pantor (Naparima), Clint Latchman (East Mucurapo), Kelon Williams (Pleasantville), Tyrell Stapleton (Arima North), Theo Cravador, Jean-Marc Thomas (St Anthony’s), Oba Samuel (Malick)

3 - J’Lon Matthews, Jordan Ferdinand, Keston Richards (Malick), N’kosi Quahsie (Speyside), Jonathan Mason (Fatima), Aalon Wilson-Wright, Mordecai Ford (St Anthony’s), Adah Barclay (Presentation), Elijah Wong (St Mary’s), Tau Lamsee

2 - Justin Alcantar, Christian Bailey, Caden Trestrail (Fatima), Ronaldinho Richards, Tyrese Manswell (Malick), Kevin Francois, Jabari Forbes, Jkwon Bailey, Xarion France, Josiah Cooper, Nathaniel O’Garro (Naparima), Darion Marfan, Jemaul Ashing (Arima North), Jaden Grant, Malacai Webb (St Benedict’s), Micah Nelson (QRC), (St Anthony’s), Lenox Eastman, Omar Daniel, Riquelme Phillip (Speyside), Malik Wilson (Bishop’s High), Jaden Mc Shine (East Mucurapo), Jadiel Joseph (San Juan North)

1 - Nekayse Moore, Negaste Moore, Justin Lewis (Chaguanas North), Abeyomi George (Presentation), Teshaun Franklyn, Kerry Baptiste Jr, Mussadiq Mohammed (QRC), Jeremiah Niles, Keanu Morean, Derrel Garcia, Ethan Trotman, Josiah Ochoa, Nathan George (St Bendict’s), Thomas Decle, Kade Collier, Jaden Williams, Luke Correia (Fatima), Malachi Woodley, Ackeem James, Isaiah David, Zachary Joseph (Malick), Tyrel Rajoon, Aaron Raymond, Israel Joseph, (Naparima), Daniel Rose, Obadiah Eyeadelrosiyhia, Russel Francois (St Anthony’s), Omar Daniel, Shyon George, N’Kosi Quashie, Riquelme Phillips (Speyside), Tyler Ayers, Theron O’Brien, Ability Hazel, Tony Figuera, Stephano Christopher, Criston Gomez (Arima North), Marley Callender, Alejandro Harper, Abdil-Junior Abdul-Hakeem (St Mary’s), Joshua Lewis (San Juan North), Kadeem Plaza, Khaleem Prince, Hasheem Hill, Seretse Browne, Jeremiah Frank-Williams, Josiah Figaro, Jonathan Emrith, Dexter Croal (Trinity East), Damario Henry, Khaieem Lewis (Bishop’s High), Malachi Henry, Malik Xavier, Jemon Gulston (East Mucurapo), Levi Jones (Presentation)

Own goal : 6.

[Tallman]

Seventh Heaven: Fatima’s De Gannes bags hat-trick in 7-1 dismantling of QRC
T&T Express

In as a one-sided derby as could be expected, Queen’s Royal College only barely showed up as they were hammered 7-1 by traditional rivals Fatima College in their Premier Division clash, yesterday, in Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) action.

At Mucurapo Road, the Royalians appeared to be making a fist of it with the score at one-all midway through the first half. But arising out of some quick counter attacks, and goals from Aidan De Gannes and Michael Chaves, Fatima were quickly up 3-1 and in control at the interval.

Christian Bailey then set up Levi Smith before also netting himself, both items coming early in the second half, thus extending the hosts advantage to 5-1 and, in effect, snuffing out whatever hopes QRC coach, Kenwyne Jones, may have been harbouring of a second-half comeback.

“It started quite decently,” said the former Soca Warriors captain. “I think a bit of inconsistency in defending cost us, individual mistakes, and from there it was downhill.” Fatima were quickly out of the blocks with Bailey opening the scoring in the fourth minute.

Errors from Fatima custodian Triston Edwards and defender Matthew Barrington resulted in Stephon James banging the ball high in the net to get the Royalians back in the contest for 1-1 in the 24th minute.

It seemed to rattle Fatima briefly, handing QRC a few half-chances. But Fatima were soon back in the driver’s seat, benefiting from poor defensive tracking and coverage, when twice scoring late in the first half.

A run down the flank by Smith, before serving in a cross saw De Gannes strike the ball off the underside of the crossbar for 2-1 in the 38th minute. Striker Chaves then got on the scoresheet for 3-1 in the 42nd minute -- going on a mazy solo run to slip past two defenders before rounding QRC goalkeeper Jaheim Affan, for an easy conversion into an open goal.

Early second-half goals, both within a minute of each other, quickly saw Fatima buttress their advantage.

Smith scored at the back post in the 52nd minute, after good work and passing by Bailey on the flank for 4-1.

A team which defends as badly individually and as a collective as QRC should not be playing with the ball near their penalty area.

The ball was won and following an interchange of passes amongst several Fatima players, Bailey glided around the keeper to score his second, making the score 5-1 in the 53rd.

Man-of-the-match De Gannes scored the last two goals, roofing the ball high in the net from close up for 6-1. And from a similar position, he struck low across the goalkeeper for 7-1 to complete his own hat-trick.

Fatima next host Arima North Secondary, who are expected to provide a much sterner test, on Saturday.

“Our aim is to win the league and this is a hurdle we had to cross,” said a victorious Fatima coach Hutson Charles. “To win the league we have to win all the matches, one game at a time.”

However, for Jones, focus shifts to limiting QRC’s defensive errors come Saturday’s home game against a more on-par East Mucurapo.

“We have to quickly forget about today. Yes, it was a bit demoralising, but at the same time we have to get ready for the game on Saturday. We have to do better as a team and try to cut out some of those mistakes that we have been making,” Jones surmised.

Meanwhile, Fatima (22 points) remain second in the standings, two points adrift of leaders San Juan North (24 points) while Naparima College (21 points) remain in close pursuit.

Both San Juan and “Naps” recorded 4-0 victories over Tobago-based teams, Speyside Secondary and Bishop’s High, respectively.

In other SSFL action, defending champions St Benedict’s College defeated southern rivals Presentation College (San Fernando) 3-0. Both teams now sit on 17 points, but with “Benedict’s” edging fourth-place courtesy a better goal difference.

YESTERDAY’S RESULTS:

San Juan North Secondary 4 vs Speyside Secondary 0

Fatima College 7 vs Queen’s Royal College 1

Naparima College 4 vs Bishop’s High School 0

St Benedict’s College 3 vs Presentation College (Sando) 0

Arima North Secondary 0 vs East Mucurapo Secondary 0

Pleasantville Secondary 2 vs Chaguanas North Secondary 0

St Anthony’s College 2 vs Malick Secondary 2

Trinity College East 3 vs St. Mary’s College 0

[Tallman]

San Juan North thump Speyside 4-0, Fatima rout QRC 7-1
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)

SAN JUAN North Secondary (24 points) maintained their two-point lead in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division on Wednesday, as they got a convincing 4-0 win versus Speyside Secondary (13 points) in a visit to Speyside, Tobago.

San Juan standout and T&T youth attacker Lindell Sween was among the scorers for the team that made the journey from Bourg Mulatresse. San Juan striker Jaheem Danclar also found the back of the net for the visitors, who also got a thumping win over the other Tobago school — Bishop’s High — on the previous match day.

There was no reprieve for the relegation-threatened Bishop’s (three points) following their heavy 6-0 loss to San Juan on the weekend, as they were beaten 4-0 by four-time premier division champions Naparima College (21 points) in San Fernando.

Naparima consolidated third spot in the 16-team standings with their win and their performance was powered by Tevin Pantor who scored a hat-trick to take his season’s tally to nine goals — the joint-highest in the league.

There were also hat-tricks recorded at Fatima Grounds in Mucurapo and at the Trinity College East school compound in Trincity. In Mucurapo, Aidan DeGannes netted a silky treble to take his goal tally to nine as the second-placed Fatima (22 points) stormed to a resounding 7-1 win over Queen’s Royal College (QRC) in a rematch of last season’s north zone intercol final.

In that 2022 final, Fatima sauntered to the Intercol crown with a 5-0 triumph. On Wednesday on Mucurapo Road, the Hutson Baba-coached Fatima outfit continued their dominance over QRC with a thoroughly pleasing display of football.

Christian Bailey also netted twice for Fatima, whose T&T under-17 attacker Michael Chaves arguably scored the goal of the season with a thrilling solo run to give his team a 3-1 lead in the 42nd minute. In the second half, the hosts banged in four more goals to complete the riot.

In Trincity, the hosts Trinity (eight points) got only their second win of the season as a Khaleem Prince hat-trick fired them to a 3-0 win over St Mary’s College (12 points).

At the Arima Velodrome, Arima North Secondary (16 points) and East Mucurapo Secondary (ten points) played to a goalless draw.

Both teams lacked quality in the final third when it mattered and were unable to clinch the three points in the end.

In the 89th minute, Mucurapo’s burly midfielder Atiba Khidr looked to be threatening the goal with a booming long-range shot, but his effort whistled just wide of Isaiah Diaz’s post.

In Westmoorings, St Anthony’s College (16 points) and their north zone rivals Malick Secondary (ten points) also could not be separated as they played to a 2-2 draw. Jean-Marc Thomas completed a double to give St Anthony’s a 2-1 lead, but Malick were able to grab an equalising item to come away with a share of the spoils.

At the Mahaica Oval in Point Fortin, defending champions St Benedict’s College (17 points) jumped from seventh spot to fourth as they got a 3-0 win over Presentation College San Fernando (also 17 points). T&T youth attacker Malachi Webb grabbed a double to inspire Benedict’s in a rematch of last year’s south zone intercol final.

In a relegation battle at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella, Pleasantville Secondary (four points) were able to move from the foot of the table as they defeated Chaguanas North Secondary 2-0 to get their first win of the campaign.

Kelon Williams scored from the penalty mark for Pleasantville to notch his fifth goal of the season.

With the loss, Chaguanas are now last on the standings and have conceded a whopping 48 goals in nine matches.

[Flex]

Naps aim to topple SSFL leaders San Juan.
By Ronell Walcott (T&T Newsday).

Table-toppers San Juan North Secondary (24 points) and the third-placed Naparima College (21 points) will meet in a pivotal Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division top-three clash from 3.45 pm on Saturday at the San Juan school's ground in Bourg Mulatresse.

With just six matches left for both teams in the 2023 league season, a lot will be on the line when the two SSFL powerhouses square off, as the top three teams are separated by just three points.

San Juan have lost just one match this season – a 5-2 loss at home versus Fatima College – and are coming off resounding wins over the premier division's two Tobago schools, Bishop's and Speyside Secondary.

San Juan have scored ten goals in their last two matches without conceding at the other end, and will look to the in-form Lindell Sween, who has scored a team-high eight goals.

Naparima, four-time premier division champions, are fresh from a convincing victory of their own, as they spanked Bishop's 4-0 in San Fernando on Wednesday. Tevin Pantor scored a hat-trick in that game for "Naps" to take his season's tally to nine goals – the joint-highest in the division. On Saturday, outspoken Naparima coach Travis Mulraine will look to Pantor for inspiration as the visitors aim to topple the league-leaders in their backyard.

In the televised encounter at Serpentine Road in St Clair, Queen's Royal College (QRC) will do their best to bounce back from the 7-1 thumping they received from Fatima on Wednesday when they entertain fellow north-zone school East Mucurapo Secondary at QRC Grounds from 3.30 pm.

A stone's throw away, at St Mary's Grounds on Serpentine Road, the hosts St Mary's College will meet the visiting Speyside Secondary in another 3.30 pm kickoff.

Both teams will aim to bounce back from midweek losses, as St Mary's were whipped 3-0 by Trinity College East and Speyside were beaten 4-0 by San Juan.

At the Manny Ramjohn Stadium training field in Marabella, Pleasantville Secondary will entertain Malick Secondary as they seek to add to their solitary win. Pleasantville defeated Chaguanas North Secondary 2-0 on Wednesday to move from the foot of the 16-team table to 14th spot.

Meanwhile, at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, the fifth-placed Presentation College San Fernando (17 points) will host 13th-placed Trinity East. Presentation slipped from fourth spot on Wednesday after succumbing 3-0 to defending champions St Benedict's College.

At Fatima College Grounds in Mucurapo, the second-placed Fatima (22 points) will tackle the seventh-placed Arima North Secondary (16 points). The reigning national intercol champions Fatima slammed seven goals past QRC on Wednesday, and will have an eye on taking San Juan's spot atop the standings when the "Dial Dynamos" of Arima journey to Mucurapo.

At the Edinburgh 500 Recreation Grounds in Chaguanas, the cellar-placed Chaguanas North will have a tough task on their hands when they play host to the fourth-placed Benedict's, who finally seem to be finding their form after a sloppy start to their premier-division title defence. Benedict's (17 points) moved up three spots on the table with their impressive win over Presentation in the last round.

Rounding off the action at the Plymouth Recreation Grounds in Tobago, the relegation-threatened Bishop's will face the sixth-placed St Anthony's College (16 points).

SSFL premier division standings:

Team GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts
1.San Juan North 9*8*0*1*28*10*18*24
2.Fatima 9*7*1*1*34*5*29*22
3.Naparima 9*7*0*2*40*7*33*21
4.St Benedict's 9*5*2*2*19*8*11*17
5.Presentation Sando 9*5*2*2*12*6*6*17
6.St Anthony's 9*5*1*3*25*14*11*16
7.Arima North 9*4*4*1*14*5*9*16
8.Speyside 9*4*1*4*12*17*-5*13
9.St Mary's 9*4*0*5*23*29*-6*12
10.Malick 9*3*1*5*23*15*8*10
11.East Mucurapo 9*3*1*5*9*20*-11*10
12.QRC 9*3*0*6*14*19*-5*9
13.Trinity East 8*2*2*4*11*11*0*8
14.Pleasantville 9*1*1*7*6*39*-33*4
15.Bishop's Tobago 8*1*0*7*4*24*-20*3
16.Chaguanas North 9*1*0*8*3*48*-45*3

[Flex]

Fatima regains control of SSFL; as Naps hold San Juan North in goalless stalemate.
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian).

Fatima College overcame a stubborn test from Arima North Secondary to register a 2-0 win which proved enough to regain the lead in the race for the 16-team Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Boys’ Premier Division on goal-difference from San Juan North Secondary when round 10 concluded of matches on Saturday.

At Fatima College Ground, Mucurapo Road, Aiden De Gannes handed Fatima a 1-0 lead at the interval with his joint-league-best tenth goal of the season before Michael Chaves added the second item in the second half, his seventh of the campaign to secure the three points for the reigning national Inter-Col champions to move to 25 points from ten matches, the same as previous leaders San Juan North Secondary.

Playing at home, at the former Bourg Mulatresse Ground, San Juan North Secondary found a tough defense installed by the visitors and four-time champions Naparima College.

With five rounds of matches left to play, Fatima enjoys a healthy goal difference of plus-31 to San Juan North’s plus-18 while Naparima is three points back with 22 and closely followed by southerners, defending champions St Benedict’s College and Presentation College of San Fernando, and St Anthony’s College with 20, 20 and 19 points respectively.

At Edingburgh 500 Ground, Malacai Webb made it five goals in two matches and eight for the season when he fired in a hat-trick to lead St Benedict’s past Chaguanas North Secondary 6-0.

Jaden Grant added a pair of goals in the win while Josiah Ochoa got the other for the Randolph Boyce team, the reigning title-holders who continued their resurgence after a 0-2 start.

At the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, Presentation College of San Fernando got a goal each from Vaughn Clement, Kaielle Elliot, and Duhrell Young, converted a penalty to blank Trinity East College 3-0, while over in Tobago, the visitors St Anthony’s College got a goal each from Amari Dunbar, Aalon Wilson-Wright and Mordecai Ford to record a 3-0 victory against host Bishop’s High School at the Plymouth Recreation Ground.

In the other matches, Oba Samuel banged in a beaver trick to carry his tally to ten as Malick Secondary trampled Pleasantville Secondary 6-0, Queen’s Royal College and East Mucurapo Secondary drew 2-2, and St Mary’s College and Speyside played out a goalless draw.

[Flex]

St Augustine clinch SSFL East Championship.
T&T Newsday Reports.

St Augustine Secondary School defeated Holy Cross College 1-0 on Tuesday to clinch the East Zone of the Secondary Schools Football League Boys Championship, at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.

A second-half strike from Zion Dannett was the difference in the game for the "Green Machine" who are on an unassailable 22 points after nine games. With one round to go, El Dorado East Secondary, the nearest challenger, are on 18 points.

In other results, El Dorado East hammered Five Rivers Secondary 4-0 while neighbours El Dorado West drew 2-2 with Valencia Secondary.

In the North Zone, a double from Hashim Portillo earned Diego Martin Central a 2-1 win over Belmont Secondary. Also, Mucurapo West defeated Tranquillity Secondary 2-1. Blanchisseuse Secondary and Trinity College played to a goalless draw.

In the South Zone, Moruga Secondary trounced Princes Town West 9-0. Also, Point Fortin East shut out ASJA Boys College 2-0 and Ste Madeleine edged Siparia West 3-2.

In the Central Zone, Carapichaima East whipped Presentation College 4-1. Jaden Joseph got the consolation for Presentation.

The final round of matches will kick off on Friday.

[Flex]

Chaves brace pushes Fatima 3 points clear of San Juan.
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian).

Michael Chaves scored a pair of goals as defending National Inter-Col champions Fatima College overcame an early deficit to beat Malick Secondary 4-2 and open a three-point lead at the top of the 16-team Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Boys’ Premier Division at St Mary’s College Ground, St Clair on Wednesdayw.

Going into matches, the Hutson Charles-coached Fatima College, and San Juan North under the guidance of long-serving coach Jerry More both shared the lead with 25 points from ten matches.

However, while Fatima was able to overcome their early setback, such was not the case for San Juan North as they fell to a 1-0 defeat to St Anthony’s College at Westmoorings.

At Serpentine Road, Malachi Woodley fired Malick ahead in the tricky contest inside the first 15 minutes, but Fatima then drew level through Chaves to leave both teams level at the half.

On the resumption, the trio of Chaves, Caden Trestrial, and Yohance Artherton all netted to guarantee all three points for Fatima to climb to 28 points and four matches left to play before Woodley added a late second item to his and Malick’s tally.

The victory lifted Fatima College to 28 points and matches left to play against Bishop’s High School, Trinity East College, Naparima, and St Mary’s College while San Juan North which was undone by a second-half Aalon Wilson-Wright strike for St Anthony’s stayed on 25 points and will meet Malick, St Mary’s College, East Mucurapo, and Chaguanas North in their final four matches to close out the season.

Down South in two key match-ups, Presentation College of San Fernando saw midfielder Duhrell Young sky a 23rd-minute penalty in an entertaining goalless draw with fellow title-chasers and host Naparima College at Lewis Street, San Fernando, while a short distance away, St Benedict’s College led by a second hat trick of the season from Malacai Webb, now with a league-best 11 goals clobbered the faltering struggling St Mary’s College 5-0 at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.

The two results saw St Benedict’s College climb to 23 points on the standings, the same as Naparima who enjoy a healthier goal difference while St Anthony’s courtesy of their win at home sits fifth with 22 points, one more than Presentation College.

In the other matches today, East Mucurapo Secondary thumped Bishop’s High School 4-1 at Fatima College Ground; Queen’s Royal College thrashed Pleasantville Secondary 7-1 at QRC Ground, Maraval Road, Arima North Secondary trounced host Speyside 4-0 at Speyside Recreation Ground, and Trinity College East also won 4-0 at home to Chaguanas North Secondary at Trincity.

RELATED NEWS

Fatima stay top of SSFL, Naps/Pres in goal-less draw.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday).

FATIMA College maintained their position atop the Secondary Schools’ Football League (SSFL) premiership division after securing a 4-2 victory over Malick Secondary on Wednesday when round 11 kicked off at Fatima Grounds in Mucurapo.

The win for Fatima, combined with favourable results from other matches, carried them to 28pts and increased the point gap between their closest rivals San Juan North Secondary and Naparima College.

Second-ranked San Juan North (25pts) lost their second match of the campaign as St Anthony’s snagged a 1-0 home victory. Despite their loss, San Juan North remain second-best in the standings.

Meanwhile, at Lewis Street Grounds in San Fernando, crosstown rivals Naparima College and Presentation College San Fernando shared the spoils with a 0-0 result.

Both teams cancelled each other out in the “southern Clasico” and Presentation’s Duhrell Young would be kicking himself, after spurning a golden chance to take the lead in the first half, courtesy a penalty kick. Young’s stuttered run-up failed and he fired over bar. The opening minutes of the first period were nervy as players tried to acclimatise to the slippery surface, in front of thousands of spectators.

The outfield contributed to Young’s penalty in the 22nd minute as “Naps” defender Antonio Hills slipped while facing charging forward Vaughn Clement. His late kick for the ball hit Clement on the pads, just inside the penalty area.

However, Young wasted his chance and shot high to the relief of Naps goalkeeper Tyrece Romain.

Two minutes later, Pres had another chance to take the lead as a long throw-in bounced in front of goal to Maliq Brathwaite, who could only tap the ball to the right, to which Romain got a hand to, and pushed out of danger.

There was little free-flowing football in the opening half despite Naps’ Tevin Panthor’s several attempts to break the Presentation back line.

In the final minutes of the first 45, Panthor’s teammate Jkwon Bailey had his long-range effort saved by Pres custodian Kanye Lazarus. Soon after, Pres’ Adah Barclay also attempted to find the back of the net from outside the box, but Romain kept tidy.

Into the second period, Naps looked better on the ball. And despite an array of attempts to get the go-ahead goal, Naparima forwards Panthor, Arron Raymond and Akeil Vesprey couldn’t break the deadlock. Both teams showed a lack of aggression in the final third.

Likewise, Naps’ defence also stood firm as eventual player of the match Josiah Cooper Jelani Calliste, Antonio Hills and Tyrel Alexander held their ground against a persistent Pres.

Into the 82nd minute, a Naps corner saw a leaping Cooper rise above his opponents and make contact with the ball. But the wet conditions saw it skid off his head, and go wide.

On the break, res’ Brathwaite put in a nice cross down the right, to the far post, but Clement could not get his head on to it.

Into time added on, Cooper again bested all in the air from another corner. This time, his headed shot was on target and moving towards the top corner, only for Lazarus to get his hands to it and force another corner.

Here, Cooper again got a touch and the ball bubbled uncontrollably in front of goal, only to be cleared, with the final whistle to follow.

The result affects both teams’ chances of lifting this year’s title since Naps (22pts) remains in third place while Pres (21pts) slipped one spot down to sixth; both with five matches remaining.

Fourth place St Benedict’s (23pts) swept CIC 5-0 (13pts) and held their position. St Anthony’s (22pts) win over San Juan North saw them climb past Pres into fifth.

In other matches, Arima North (19pts) defeated Speyside (14pts) 4-0, East Mucurapo (14pts) beat Bishops Tobago (three pts) 4-1, QRC (13pts) thumped Pleasantville Secondary (four pts) 7-1 while Trinity East (11pts) got past Chaguanas North (three pts) 4-0.

[Tallman]

Pleasantville scores 28 in Girls SSFL again
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian)

Jada Shepherd banged in nine goals as Pleasantville Secondary registered their second 28-0 margin of victory this season in the South Zone of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Girls Championship Division at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Training Field, Marabella on Thursday.

Having crushed Princes Town West 28-0 on Sunday, October 1 led by 14 goals from national youth team player Nikita Gosine, Pleasantville repeated the same score line in their mauling of Palo Seco Secondary with Gosine (N) adding six goals, Taye-Ann Wylie scoring four, Natalia Gosine three, and the pair of Maya Wong, and Amanda Nanan chipped in with two goals each.

Pleasantville who have scored 91 goals without conceding also got strikes from Giovanna Sherwood, and Kaeley Martin in their fifth win from as many matches to lead the five-team standings with a maximum of 15 points, three ahead of St Joseph Convent (San Fernando) who have played a match more.

St Joseph Convent (San Fernando) kept the pressure on Pleasantville in the race for the title with a 14-0 hammering of Princes Town West with the prolific Arie Bhagan also scoring nine goals, and her sister, Amara Bhagan a hat trick in the one-sided contest with Alexis-Raye Lalchan, and Tishan Siu, the other scorers.

In the East Zone, Myeisha Cox netted the lone goal as San Juan North Secondary secured a vital 1-0 win against El Dorado East Secondary to move to 18 points from eight matches and two left to play, while leaders Five Rivers Secondary have played seven matches and lead with 19 points after their encounter against St Augustine Secondary was postponed.

In the other match played in the East Zone, national player Orielle Martin continued her rich goalscoring form with another hat trick, in the 39th, 75th, and 78th minute to inspire Bishop’s Anstey East to a 5-3 defeat of Barataria North Secondary.

Kayley Noray had opened the scoring for Bishop’s East in the 17th minute while Emilly Harrilal also netted in the 50th to cancel out Shaquilla Daniel’s brace for Barataria North in the 42nd, and 52nd minutes after Alicia Roberts had briefly tied up the score at 1-1 in the 30th.

Over in Tobago, reigning national Inter-Col champion Signal Hill moved to the top of the table on goal difference ahead of reigning national Girls League champions Scarborough Secondary.

This after Signal Hill blanked Speyside Secondary 2-0 with a goal each from Kellecia Taylor, and Naomi Waldrop while Scarborough Secondary was held to a 1-1 draw by Bishop’s High with Kieneal Dillon and Ty’Kaiya Dennis the goal scorers for their respective teams.

Both Signal Hill, and Scarborough Secondary have 23 points, but while Signal Hill has played ten matches, Scarborough has contested one fewer.

In the North, St Joseph’s Convent (PoS) stayed on course to claim the crown after a 3-1 whipping of Bishops Anstey led by a brace from Scarlett Cole to push their points tally to 22 and three matches left, while Bishops has 20, and two matches left including a final day encounter with the leaders.

Bethany Phillip added the third item for St Joseph’s Convent, now with points at the top of the zonal standings clear of the closet challenger.

In the other zonal matches, Malick Secondary outclassed Holy Name Convent 4-1 while Diego Martin Central and Tranquillity Secondary battled to an entertaining 3-3 draw in the other.

In the Central Zone, Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School thrashed Chaguanas South Secondary 9-0 led by Aaqila Virgil’s beaver trick.

The duo of Kyanna Isaac, and Jewel Benjamin scored two goals each for Miracle Ministries, and Amiya Cumberbatch, one in the win over Chaguanas South.

Elsewhere, Holy Faith Convent (Couva) got all five goals from Dana Pacheco in their 5-0 defeat of Carapichaima East Secondary, while Chaguanas North trounced Carapichaima West Secondary 3-0 with Shaunelle De Four scoring twice, and Naomi Bruce, once.

Thursday October 19 results

Tobago

Bishop’s High School 1 (Ty’Kaiya Dennis) vs Scarborough Sec 1 (Kieneal Dillon)

Signal Hill Sec 2 (Kellecia Taylor, Naomi Waldrop) vs Speyside High 0

Roxborough Sec vs Mason Hall Sec - No referee showed up for the game

East

Five Rivers Sec vs St Augustine Sec - postponed

San Juan North 1 (Myeisha Cox) vs El Dorado East 0

Bishop Anstey East 5 (Orielle Martin 39th, 75th, 78th, Kayley Noray 17th, Emilly Harrilal 50th) vs Barataria North 3 (Shaquilla Daniel 42nd, 52nd, Alicia Roberts 30th)

Central

Miracle Ministries 9 (Aaqila Virgil 4, Kyanna Isaac 2, Jewel Benjamin 2, Amiya Cumberbatch) vs Chaguanas South 0

Holy Faith Convent 5 (Dana Pacheco 5) vs Carapichaima East 0

Chaguanas North 3 (Shaunelle De Four 2, Naomi Bruce) vs Carapichaima West 0

North

St Joseph’s Convent 3 (Scarlett Cole 2, Bethany Phillip) vs Bishop’s Anstey 1 (Joanna Kennedy)

Malick Sec 4 (Hackeemar Goodridge, Jalecia John, Glenecia Humphrey, Destiny Williams) vs Holy Name Convent 1 (Eva Nicholas)

Diego Martin Central 3 (Kyla Taylor 2, Mariah Williams) vs Tranquillity Sec 3 (Anastasia O’Brien 2, Jada Cupid)

South

St Joseph’s Convent 14 (Arie Bhagan 9, Amara Bhagan 3, Alexis-Raye Lalchan, Tishan Siu) vs Princes Town West 0

Pleasantville Sec 28 (Jada Shepherd 9, Nikita Gosine, Taye-Ann Wylie 4, Maya Wong 2, Amanda Nanan 2, Giovanna Sherwood, Kaeley Martin) vs Palo Seco Sec 0

[Tallman]

Pres Sando forgo SSFL title hopes
Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday)

SEAN Cooper, coach of Presentation College San Fernando, believes their race for the Secondary Schools’ Football League (SSFL) premiership division title is over.

Cooper made these remarks following his team’s 0-0 draw against crosstown rivals Naparima College in round 11 action on Wednesday.

However, “Pres” had the best chance to find the back of the net in the first half, but striker Durrell Young fired his penalty over the bar.

The result saw “Pres” slip from fifth to sixth, on 21 points, with five matches remaining.

When asked in the post-match interview on the possibility of his team making a late comeback and contending for the title, Cooper thinks the league will be decided between the table’s top two teams, Fatima College (28pts) and San Juan North Secondary (25pts).

“Well I think after we spilled the penalty, it was even-steven,” he said.

On their of being title contenders, Cooper added, “No I don’t think so. It’s an easy street going forward with Fatima and San Juan North. I don’t think they have any games in hand to trouble them. So it’s their league to lose. This game was a derby so we expected a close one.”

Naparima though, are third (23 pts). Coach Travis Mulraine, in his post-match comments still believes his team has a fighting chance to potentially put their hands on this year’s silverware.

“Besides the missed penalty, it was a very even game; a lot of ebbs and flows. I think it was an epic battle fitting of a Naps/Pres derby.

“We have to look forward. We can’t do anything about this game and just hope to win the rest of our games and hope results go our way.”

“Naps” failed to score in their past two matches, against San Juan North and Pres. Mulraine praised his defensive back-line but wants more from his strikers and attacking midfielders.

On the two-game goal drought, he added, “It is a concern because we were scoring goals and conceding. We worked a bit defensively, now we’re getting the clean sheets, but we’re not converting up front. So we just have to keep working on the training field.”

Also staying within contention in fourth place are defending SSFL premier champions St Benedict’s (23pts) and fifth-ranked St Anthony’s College (22pts).

Matches continue on Saturday.

[Tallman]

Roger that: Blanchisseuse clinch SSFL Championship Big 5 spot
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)

A hat-trick from Roger Kirk on Friday secured Blanchisseuse Secondary's spot in this year's Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Championship Division "Big 5" playoffs.

Blanchisseuse (26 points) got a 4-1 win over Diego Martin Central to clinch the North Zone Championship crown, staving off the threat of Trinity College Moka (25 points) by a solitary point on the final day.

Trinity got a 3-0 victory in their final game of the league campaign against Tranquillity Secondary, but it was not enough to wrest the north crown from the firm grip of the unbeaten Blanchisseuse team.

In the "Big 5" playoffs, the five zonal winners will be competing for three spots to gain promotion for the 2024 SSFL premier division season. The other four teams confirmed as zonal winners are St Augustine Secondary (East), Signal Hill Secondary (Tobago), Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School (Central) and Moruga Secondary (South).

In the South zone, Moruga (30 points) finished the season with a perfect record as they rattled off a tenth straight win on Friday, getting a 3-1 victory over Siparia West Secondary. Second-placed team Ste Madeleine Secondary (24 points) ended their league campaign with an exciting 3-2 win over ASJA Boys College (San Fernando) at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella. Khalil Perez, Adriel Asseviero and Tyrell Dyeth scored for Ste Madeleine.

In the Central zone, Miracle Ministries celebrated their own zonal feat as they defeated Carapichaima West Secondary by a 5-3 margin in a thriller. Jabari Rodriguez scored a hat-trick for Miracle Ministries. Judah Chinapoo and Kyle Holder got the other goals for the boys from Couva. Miracle Ministries contested the "Big 5" playoffs last year after winning the Central zone, but they were unable to seal promotion to the premier division. This year, they will aim to go one step further.

At the University of TT (UTT) O'Meara Campus, captain Tyrese Andrews and his St Augustine team were able to lift the zonal trophy as they played to a 2-2 draw with Valencia Secondary. Elijah Baptiste and Jahmarley Caleb scored the goals for the "Green Machine," who are aiming to make a swift return to the premier division after being relegated last season. St Augustine (23 points) clinched the East crown on Tuesday after a 1-0 win over Holy Cross College.

Tobago's Signal Hill also booked their "Big 5" place on Tuesday, as they got a thumping 5-0 win over Roxborough Secondary to pull away from the reach of Scarborough Secondary and the chasing pack to lift the Tobago title.

The start date for the "Big 5" is still to be finalised by the SSFL.

[Flex]

Parks triple keeps Pleasantville at bay in 8-5 battle.
T&T Guardian Reports.

Fatima College is on the verge of capturing the Premier Division title of the Secondary Schools Football League after yesterday’s impressive 3-0 victory over Bishop’s High School in Tobago yesterday.

The result sent the Fatima men to 31 points with three more rounds of matches to go. Second is San Juan North Secondary who dropped two points in a 1-1 tie with Malick Secondary for a total of 26 points while St Benedict’s also moved to 26 points by beating Queen’s Royal College at home 4-2.

Fatima will now have to lose at least two matches to surrender the title to any team.

Meanwhile, a hat-trick from Brandon Parks, coupled with braces from Maalik Jarvis and Nieem Taylor stood out as East Mucurapo Secondary battled past Pleasantville Secondary 8-5 in the Premier Division yesterday at Trinity College Ground in Moka.

Coach Dale Saunders’ prediction of a ten-goal victory seemed to have borne early fruits as Nieem Taylor fired them into the lead after just two minutes. But the pair of Jarvis and Parks almost built camps in the Pleasantville goal area all afternoon long.

Taylor, the scorer of the opening goal, was pushed to the ground in the ninth minute, as East Mucurapo sought a cushion for Taylor’s first goal. And from the freekick, Taylor with a thumping shot that goalkeeper Khylon Clark could only parry into his six-yard box, for Park to muscle his marker off the ball before hitting into the empty net for a 2-0 advantage.

Later, Jarvis then got his name on the scoresheet when he was upended on his way to the Pleasantville goal in the tenth minute. The referee pointed to the penalty spot and Jarvis picked himself up to send Clark the wrong way for a 3-0 lead.

Still, with a dominant display from the start, East Mucurapo was far from finished as they sought more goals. Parks was the target in the 19th minute when Al-Kalipha Henry made tracks down the left flank and centred for the oncoming Park to hit home.

Pleasantville, promoted from last season’s play-off, struggled to find the form that earned them that promotion. And it showed with a weak right side that East Mucurapo exploited all afternoon long.

Goal number five came as Kamali Henry was fed a ball down the left flank and he turned past his marker before hitting it hard and low past the bewildered Clark in the Pleasantville goal.

In the 34th minute, East Mucurapo sealed a six-goal advantage heading to the half-way break.

For a second time, Henry (Al-Kalipha) takes the Pleasantville defence for a run down the left flank and centred for a sliding Parks to meet and hit into an empty net for a 6-0 lead.

A Pleasantville win seemed like a mere matter of formality, but East Mucurapo surprised all with a display of true grit that brought them within a three-goal margin at the end.

Pleasantville, not only increased their resistance but battled tooth and nail in a true display of determination. But first, Taylor got a clear sight at goal, and he drilled the ball low past Clark from some 20 yards out in the 50th minute.

A minute later, Jarvis got his hat-trick as he galloped onto a neatly threaded ball from Parks and he beat the goalkeeper with a fierce shot that rattled into the Pleasantville nets.

With that goal, the home team was just two goals away from their prediction until Pleasantville almost pulled a surprise upset that would have gone down in SSFL history. Led by a double from Kelon Williams, the visitors caused hearts to race before the referee could sound his whistle to signal the end.

RELATED NEWS

Fatima extend SSFL lead, San Juan slip as St Benedict's move to second.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday).

A late brace from Fatima College’s Michael Chaves gave them a stern 3-0 victory over Bishop’s High School at the College Grounds in Mucurapo when round 12 of the Secondary Schools’ Football League premiership division kicked off on Saturday.

The contest remained goalless until the 74th minute when Fatima’s Joshua Mason broke the deadlock. Four minutes later, Chaves sent them further ahead, and added another four minutes from regulation time, to seal a comfortable win.

The result for Fatima saw them maintain their view atop of the standings on 31 points, which comprises ten wins, one draw and one loss, from 12 matches.

However, a potentially detrimental 1-1 result between hosts San Juan North (26pts) and Malick Secondary (14pts) at Bourg Mulatresse saw the former slip from second to third.

This outcome helped defending SSFL premier champions St Benedict’s climb into second spot as they defeated Queen’s Royal College 4-2 at Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella.

The win for the La Romaine Lions sent them to 26pts, but into second place owing to a superior goal difference.

The battle for top spot rages on on Wednesday, with only three match days remaining in this year’s competition.

Meanwhile, at Trinity College Grounds in Moka, a whopping 13 goals were scored in East Mucurapo’s 8-5 victory over Pleasantville.

In other matches, Naparima College dropped points for a third consecutive match as they drew 2-2 to Speyside away in Tobago.

The hosts went ahead in the 16th minute through skipper Nkosi Quashie. The visitors equalised later on in the first half, 38th’, courtesy striker Tevin Panthor and it remained 1-1 at the break.

When play resumed, both sides pressed for the go-ahead goal. Speyside were rewarded for their efforts in the 85th, through Riquelme Phillips, which put them 2-1 up. With five minutes of regulation time and extra time to go, the home team may have thought they would seal the three points. But a persistent Naparima outfit answered back in the 90th minute as Israel Joseph salvaged a point for the travelling team.

Meanwhile, 13 goals were scored in East Mucurapo’s 8-5 win over Pleasantville at Bourg Mulatresse. From as early in as the second minute, East Mucurapo went ahead after a fine strike from Nieem Taylor. Seven minutes later, Taylor put in a free kick from the left, which was parried away by Pleasantville goalie Khylon Clark, but fell to the feet of Brandon Parks, who made no mistake to send them 2-0 up.

It got worse for the South team soon after as defender Jelani Roberts fouled Taylor in the penalty box to give away a direct kick. Khidr Atiba successfully converted to put East Mucurapo further ahead in the 11th minute.

In the 19th, Jarvis burst down the left and easily put the ball across to Parks, who slotted home another. Pleasantville’s chances were few and far between as Henry found the back of the net once more, with a brilliant individual run in the 28th. Parks then got a hat-trick after another good run by Henry, who picked up another assist, to take them to 6-0. The goal fest continued in the second period as Taylor scored a long-range effort in the 49th, and then got his hat-trick three minutes later (8-0).

Undeterred, Plesantville staged a late fightback as Kiev Robinson launched a far, high shot past East Mucurapo custodian Dayshaun Alexander to make it 8-1 in the 53rd.

Minutes later, Pleasantville number ten Kelon Williams netted a quick brace to make it 8-3. And in the 84th, another spectacular run from Williams saw him assist Robinson to halve the deficit.

And into time added on, Pleasantville added another as Joshuel Simon fired home from distance; 8-5 it ended.

In other matches, Trinity East (14pts) beat St Anthony’s College (22pts).

[Tallman]

Five Rivers inch closer to SSFL East Zone girls title
By Andrew Gioannetti (T&T Newsday)

MIDFIELDER Luann Craig scored a hat-trick, while Jada Herbert and Jenicia Parks bagged two goals each as Five Rivers Secondary moved within a point of securing the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Girls East Zone Championship on Sunday.

Five Rivers hosted El Dorado East Secondary and cruised to another emphatic 9-0 win, on their home turf at Prime Minister’s Park, Five Rivers.

The league leaders and runaway leading goalscorers took nearly 20 minutes to get off the mark, with Herbert scoring her first. The goals came flying in after as Herbert doubled up ten minutes later.

Craig then took control of the scoring, bagging three within the space of nine minutes, between the 32nd to 40th minutes — two before the end of the first half, and the other immediately after the restart.

Parks scored her two efforts in the second half, with Janella Walcott and Amelia Bowman also adding one goal each to their names at the latter stages.

Five Rivers meet their nearest challengers San Juan North Secondary in Bourg Mulatresse on Thursday. Anything but a loss will likely see Five Rivers secure the title. They will also face a struggling St Augustine in their other rescheduled fixture on Sunday.

San Juan North remained in the hunt, albeit with a slim chance of catching Five Rivers, after an 8-0 victory against Barataria. Bishop Anstey East also remained with the slimmest of chances to claim the league title after beating St Augustine 10-1.

Sunday’s results brought an end to the second and final round of league matches in the East, Central and North Zones.

There are still outstanding matches in the Tobago Zone. The Big Five competition will follow the conclusion of the regular league.

[Tallman]

Arima North edge Hillview in U16 Intercol semifinal thriller
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday)

Arima North Secondary edged Hillview College 7-6 on penalties on Monday, in a thrilling Secondary Schools Football League Under-16 East Zone Intercol semifinal, at San Juan North Secondary ground, Bourg Mulatresse.

Hillview captain Matthias Mootilal had the chance to knockout Arima, with his team ahead 4-3 in the shootout, but his effort was saved by goalkeeper Mathais Cruickshank. The miss proved costly as Arima scored their next kick to send it into sudden-death. After a nerve-racking ten kicks each, Arima North held their nerve to spark wild celebrations among their supporters.

Earlier, Arima North struck first courtesy a free kick from Criston Gomes – a lead they held to the interval.

But Hillview came roaring back in the second half with a strike from Kemarley Pierre to make it 1-1.

However, Hillview shot themselves in the foot as Ixiah Julien netted an own-goal to give Arima the edge once more.

There was another twist in the tail as Hillview were awarded a penalty which Christian Corraspe converted.

With penalties needed to decide the winner, Cruickshank emerged the hero saving three shots from Hillview to send his team into the final.

They will face another Arima team, Holy Cross College, who got past St George's College 4-1 in the other semifinal. The East Intercol final will be held on Monday.

Hillview earned their spot in the semis after topping Group C, which included neighbours Tunapuna Government Secondary, St Augustine Secondary, North Gate College and St Joseph's College.

Arima won Group B while St George's College took Group A and Holy Cross College clinched Group D.

[Tallman]

Fatima one win away from SSFL crown
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)

Fatima College (34 points) moved to within a victory of claiming the 2023 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division title after getting a resounding 4-0 win over Trinity College East at Fatima Grounds in Mucurapo on Wednesday.

The Hutson "Baba" Charles-coached Fatima journey to Lewis Street, San Fernando on Saturday for a clash with four-time premier division champions Naparima College. A victory for Fatima there will see the north zone school dethrone 2022 winners St Benedict’s, who are second in the standings with 29 points.

Fatima, the 2022 national intercol champions, took a big step towards their goal as they put in an astute display against Trinity, last year's East zone intercol winners. The hosts weathered early raids by Trinity, who rattled off at least four long-range efforts on goal in the opening 15 minutes.

In the 22nd minute, the early Fatima nerves were calmed as their TT youth attacker Michael Chaves dusted himself off to convert from the penalty spot after being fouled by Trinity captain Nicholas Whiteman. Fatima doubled their lead just four minutes later, as their speedy winger Christian Bailey struck a sweet right-footed shot into the bottom corner after "capping" Whiteman just outside area.

By the second half, Trinity's attacking threat was nullified by the Fatima rearguard. The lanky pair of Yohance Atherton and Elijah Camacho were particularly solid in their central defensive and midfield roles, stalling Trinity's counter attacks with relative ease.

At the other end, Fatima put the game to bed with a brace from second-half substitute Luke Correia. The diminutive Fatima forward made it 3-0 with a tap-in on 65 minutes — just five minutes after entering the match. He then put the icing on the cake for Fatima in stoppage-time as he calmly rounded Trinity goalie Jadon Pollard to slide into an empty net.

Benedict’s continue to show form at the back end of the league campaign, as they hammered Pleasantville Secondary by an 8-0 margin in Marabella. Daniel Jones and Jeremiah Niles scored twice to power Benedict’s to the win. Pleasantville, who have only mustered four points so far this season, will be relegated to the Championship division next season alongside Chaguanas North Secondary (four points) and Bishop’s High School Tobago (three points).

Chaguanas played to a 1-1 draw with Speyside Secondary in Edinburgh, Chaguanas. Meanwhile, Bishop’s were spanked 4-0 by Arima North Secondary who got a double from their lively forward Tyrell Stapleton.

San Juan North Secondary joined Benedict’s on 29 points, as they got a healthy 4-1 win over St Mary's College in Bourg Mulatresse, San Juan. Like Benedict’s, San Juan still have a mathematical chance of winning the title. However, they must win their remaining two matches and hope for Fatima to slip up in their final two matches versus Naparima and St Mary’s.

Naparima's own title hopes have already been dashed but they were able to show off their scoring prowess in St Clair with a 4-1 win over home team Queen's Royal College.

Malick Secondary improved to 17 points, as the league's leading scorer, Oba Samuel, registered a hat-trick for his team in a 5-1 drubbing of fellow North zone team East Mucurapo Secondary.

Elsewhere, Presentation College San Fernando (25 points) eked out a 1-0 win over St Anthony’s College (22 points) at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella.

[Tallman]

SSFL Premiership hopefuls kickoff Big 5 playoffs
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)

WHILE the 2023 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division campaign nears an exciting climax, next year's premier division hopefuls will continue their quest for promotion when the championship division "Big 5" playoffs kickoff on Friday.

The five schools vying for promotion to the premier division for the 2024 season are Blanchisseuse Secondary, Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School, Moruga Secondary, St Augustine Secondary and Tobago's Signal Hill Secondary. Miracle Ministries, who also contested the "Big 5" tournament last year, will kickstart this year's playoffs with an encounter against the North zone championship winners Blanchisseuse at the Edinburgh 500 Recreation Ground.

In St Augustine, East zone championship winners St Augustine Secondary will host South zone winners Moruga Secondary at the former school's compound. Both games will start at 3.40 pm. Tobago championship winners Signal Hill are on a bye for the first round of action.

Blanchisseuse, Moruga and Signal Hill all had impressive unbeaten records to clinch their respective zones. Blanchisseuse amassed 26 points in their ten matches and won the title on the final day of action in the North zone as they pipped the second-placed Trinity College Moka by a solitary point. Moruga were ruthless in their pursuit of top spot in the south as they won all of their ten matches and scored a whopping 46 goals in the process. Meantime, the reigning Tobago intercol champions Signal Hill secured the Tobago championship title with a game to spare after accumulating seven wins and two draws in nine matches.

St Augustine, who were relegated from the premier division last season, edged El Dorado East Secondary by two points to secure the east crown. Miracle Ministries earned top spot in the Central zone by a similar two-point margin after a Jabari Rodriguez hat-trick inspired them to a 5-3 win over Carapichaima West Secondary last Friday. After failing to secure promotion in their "Big 5" outing last season, Miracle Ministries will be hoping for better fortunes this season as they hunt a top-three spot and a place in the SSFL's top flight.

In last year's "Big 5" playoffs, St Mary's College, Arima North Secondary and Bishop's High School (Tobago) gained promotion for the ongoing premier division season. Bishop's will return to the championship division for next season though, as a midweek loss to Arima confirmed their relegation status alongside Chaguanas North Secondary and Pleasantville Secondary.

[Tallman]

Pleasantville, St Joseph's Convent (PoS), Five Rivers cop zonal girls title
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian)

The trio of Pleasantville Secondary (South), Five Rivers Secondary (East), and North Zone’s St Joseph Convent (PoS) joined Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School (Central Zone) when the 2023 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Girls Championship Division continued on Thursday.

Down at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, Tayeanne Wylie scored a hat trick to lead Pleasantville Secondary to a resounding 7-0 triumph over St Joseph Convent (San Fernando) to seal their second straight zonal crown.

The zone’s top scorer, Nikita Gosine added a pair of goals in the win while her sister Natalia Gosine, and Alisha Mitchell were also on target for Pleasantville to improve to a maximum of 21 points from seven matches, six ahead of St Joseph Convent who have completed their eight-match schedule.

In the East Zone, Tenisha Hackett, and national player Luann Craig got a goal each to inspire Five Rivers Secondary to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over host San Juan North Secondary at Bourg Mulatresse, San Juan after Taya Williams had given the host the lead.

With the win, Five Rivers climbed to 25 points from nine matches, four ahead of San Juan North Secondary, who have completed their ten-match schedule.

At St Joseph Convent Ground, Federation Park, St Clair, Scarlette Cole, and Charlotte Hadeed netted a goal each to secure a decisive 2-1 win for St Joseph Convent (PoS) over rivals Holy Name Convent (PoS), who got its lone item from Chelsea Reis in their North Zone title decider.

The win lifted St Joseph Convent (PoS) to 25 points, and with one match to play, five points clear of last season’s winners Holy Name Convent who have ended their ten-match with 20 points, while Diego Martin Central is third with 15 points.

Over in Tobago, reigning national Girls League champions Scarborough Secondary got two goals from J’Eleisha Alexander, and one from Kaleah Duke to blank Pentecostal Light & Life 3-0 to 27 points, one ahead of reigning national Inter-Col champion Signal Hill with both teams having one match left to play.

Results

East Zone

Five Rivers 2 (Tenisha Hackett, Luann Craig) vs San Juan North 1 (Taya Williams)

El Dorado East 2 (Evangalene Farfan, Nicola George) vs Bishop Anstey East 0

St Augustine 5 (Kanika Rodriguez 3, Jenille Bartholomew, Akeela Campbell) vs Barataria North 1 (Alicia Roberts)

North Zone

Tranquillity Sec 3 vs Malick Sec 0 - by default

St Joseph Convent 2 (Scarlett Cole, Charlotte Hadeed) vs Holy Name Convent 1 (Chelsea Teis)

Tobago Zone

Scarborough Sec 3 (J’Eleisha Alexander 3rd, 72nd, Kaleah Duke 37th) vs Pentecostal Light & Life 0

Bishop’s High School 1 (Kimonique Spencer) vs Mason Hall 1 (Jada Graham)

Roxborough 3 (Samantha Isles 2, Lory Clarke) vs Speyside High 1 (J’naya Gray)

South Zone

Pleasantville Sec 7 (Tayeann Wylie 3, Nikita Gosine 2, Natalia Gosine, Alisha Mitchell) vs St Joseph’s Convent 0

Moruga Sec 2 (Jewel Charles, Merkayla Peters) vs Palo Sec 1 (Faie Alexander)

[Tallman]

Fatima coach on SSFL crown: 'It's in our hands'
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)

FATIMA COLLEGE, guided by coach Hutson "Baba" Charles, will look to secure the school's first Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division title when they meet four-time premier division champions Naparima College, from 3.30 pm on Saturday, at Lewis Street in San Fernando.

Fatima (34 points) have a five-point lead ahead of both St Benedict's College and San Juan North Secondary on the 16-team table and will clinch the title with a victory. A draw would be enough if St Benedict's and San Juan also drop points.

The premier division format was introduced in the 2014 season, with the seven titles thus far going to South zone schools. Naparima are the winningest team with four trophies. Shiva Boys Hindu College (2016), Presentation College San Fernando (2017) and Benedict's (2022) have won the other titles in the premier division era which observed a two-year break due to covid19.

Fatima College beat Benedict's in the national intercol final last year, but they also lost to St Benedict's in last season's "Big 4" premier division final.

On enemy territory, Charles wants Fatima to end a national league trophy drought which goes back to 1978.

"I told the guys we're on the verge of winning but we haven't won anything yet. It's still in our hands to lose and we can't be complacent," Charles told Newsday. "We are just close, but we're looking to get a victory. We are looking to seal that championship win."

Fatima have been in exemplary form this season, dropping only five points through 13 league matches. They played to an intriguing goalless draw with defending champions Benedict's on September 27. Their only loss in the campaign came against Presentation on October 4.

Charles said: "They have gone beyond expectations and I'm proud of them so far for the (number) of games (we have won) and the position we're in right now."

Charles says his team isn't feeling pressured to get the win, but he is anticipating a difficult test from Naparima.

Fatima can expect no favours from coach Travis Mulraine and his fourth-placed Naparima (27 points).

"Our main focus isn't to stop Fatima from winning the league," Mulraine said. "We are trying to push as high up the table as we can, and we need the six points from the last two games to do that. Fatima happens to be one of the opponents we have to face so we're going out to win the game."

Mulraine says Naparima's own title hopes went down the drain after losses to Benedict's and Arima North Secondary. Naparima also had a stretch where they drew three consecutive matches from rounds ten to 12. Mulraine believes his team would still be in the title race if not for silly defensive mistakes.

With Fatima inching towards the title, Mulraine says Naparima will try and put on a show at Lewis Street.

"I don't think the players will need motivation. My problem is motivating them against the smaller teams – which is all about mentality. I think the guys will be up to the challenge. I look forward to having a real cracker of a game."

[Tallman]

Fatima seal first SSFL Premiership title
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday)

FATIMA College sealed their first Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premiership crown in the most dramatic way, scoring two goals in stoppage time with a player down to emerge with a 2-1 win over Naparima College at the latter's home ground at Lewis Street, San Fernando on Saturday.

With the win, Fatima moved to 37 points with one round remaining. Last year's champions St Benedict's College are on 32 points, but cannot make up the difference.

Speaking with Newsday following the win, Fatima coach Hutson Charles was elated his team won the title after finishing second in 2022. "It is always good to go one step further. From preseason we set our goal and we said this year we want to win the league."

He commended his team's fighting spirit playing with a man down. "I am proud of them, they showed great character especially when the skipper (Jaden Williams) got sent off."

After equalising, Charles said holding on for a draw was not an option.

"Fatima is a team that always plays for a win...we had the momentum and I told those fellas just keep going and Caden (Trestrail) scored the header. You could not ask for nothing better."

Fatima needed a win to seal the premiership title and it looked unlikely as they trailed 1-0 heading into second-half stoppage time. It went from bad to worse for Fatima as Williams received a red card in the early stages of stoppage time after getting his second yellow card. The decision seemed a bit harsh as Williams and the Fatima coaching staff openly showed their frustration. With eight minutes stoppage time given more drama followed.

Michael Chaves helped Fatima level the contest five minutes into stoppage time. Following a short corner, Chaves took a shot from a tight angle and the ball deflected off defender Josiah Cooper into the back of the net. It was given as an own goal.

Fatima did not settle for the draw despite being down to ten men as in the last minute of play they grabbed the winner. After Aidan De Gannes worked hard to get around a Naps defender and cross the ball, substitute Trestrail headed home to give Fatima the lead and the title. At the final whistle, the Fatima substitutes and supporters stormed the field as many of them made the trip to south Trinidad for the match.

Before the late match heroics by Fatima, Naparima were the better team in the first half as they looked more menacing in the attacking third and were rewarded in the seventh minute.

Fatima goal-keeper Tristan Edwards did not judge the flight of the ball from a corner kick and Josiah Cooper headed the ball into the net.

In the 25th minute, Tevin Pantor had a chance to make it 2-0 to Naparima. He dribbled into the 18-yard box, but he could not get a shot off.

In the 27th minute, Williams almost equalised for Fatima with a well-struck free kick 30 yards from goal that was well saved by Naps goal-keeper Tryece Romain. Naparima continued to create more chances in the first half, but the score remained 1-0 at half-time.

As the second half kicked off, Naparima continued to look more threatening going forward. As the second half progressed, Fatima got into a rhythm. A few substitutes were introduced including Trestrail, who turned out to be one of the heroes on the day as his last-minute goal gave the boys from Mucurapo Road the title.

In other matches, second-placed St Benedict's defeated Trinity College East 5-0, San Juan North were held to a 2-2 draw by East Mucurapo, Arima North Secondary and St Anthony's College battled to a 1-1 draw, Presentation College got past Pleasantville Secondary 4-0 and St Mary's College beat Chaguanas North Secondary 3-1. The scheduled match between Bishop's High School and Malick Secondary was not played. The other round 14 match between Queen's Royal College and Speyside Secondary is scheduled for Tuesday at 3.30 pm at the Speyside Recreation Ground.

[Tallman]

Bishop's High grab late draw vs Trinity East
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)

Fatima College clinched their first Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division title in dramatic fashion on Saturday, but action in the league continued on Tuesday evening with a pair of entertaining matches in Tobago.

Both games ended with a similar 2-2 scoreline, with some late antics. Bishop's High School (Tobago) battled back to get a late draw with Trinity College East at the Plymouth Recreation Ground. Meantime in Speyside, the hosts Speyside Secondary had to settle for a share of the points as the visiting Queen's Royal College (QRC) scored in the dying moments of the game.

QRC went into the halftime interval with a 1-0 lead courtesy of a goal from TT youth midfielder Tau Lamsee. Speyside hit back after the resumption with Riquelme Phillips and Milz Johnson scoring within five minutes of the resumption to give the hosts a 2-1 lead. Playing at the Speyside Recreation Ground, the Tobago team weren't able to seal the deal as QRC's Musaddiq Mohammed scored the equaliser to register his fifth goal of the season and earn his school a point. QRC are now on 14 points and stay in 13th spot. Speyside are now on 17 points and move up to tenth spot on the 16-team table.

In Plymouth, Bishop's got a contentious stoppage-time penalty from Kerron Arthur to salvage a point versus the reigning East zone Intercol champions Trinity East. The visitors assumed a 2-1 lead thanks to goals from Deisean Plaza and their livewire Khaleem Prince, who took his league tally to nine goals. However, like in Speyside, late drama ensured the two teams could not be separated on the day as Arthur had the last laugh.

With the draw, the already relegated Bishop's (four points) moved from 16th to 14th on the table. Trinity go up to 15 points and consolidate 12th spot on the table.

[Tallman]

Pleasantville advance to Big Five girls football semi-finals
T&T Newsday

PLEASANTVILLE Secondary defeated St Joseph's Convent Port of Spain in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Girls Big Five tournament on Thursday to seal a spot in the semi-finals.

Playing at the St Joseph's Convent ground in St Clair, Pleasantville won the match 3-2 to progress to the semi-finals at 3.30 pm on Wednesday.

Tayean Wylie, Maya Wong and 13 year old Nikita Gosine were the goal scorers for Pleasantville. For St Joseph's Convent, Kaitlyn Darwent was on target and the other goal was an own goal. Pleasantville have not been shy in front of goal scoring more than 100 goals this season.

On Wednesday, Pleasantville will face Scarborough Secondary and the other semi-final will see Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School battle East Zone champions Five Rivers Secondary.

The winner of the Tobago championship division was decided on Wednesday, as Scarborough Secondary (30 points) just edged their way to the title to dethrone the 2022 national intercol champions Signal Hill Secondary (29 points). Carrying a one-point advantage into the final round, Scarborough held their nerve as they got a 3-0 win against Mason Hall Secondary at Moriah Recreation Grounds to get their hands on the Tobago title.

J'Eleisha Alexander, last year's SSFL MVP, starred once again for Scarborough as she netted one of the three girls, to add to goals scored by Arianna Bacchus and Kaleah Duke.

Signal Hill did their utmost to keep the pressure on Scarborough as they got a 2-0 win over Bishop's High School courtesy of a double from Naomi Waldrop. In Wednesday's other game, Speyside Secondary got a 2-0 victory over Pentecostal Light and Life with goals coming from J'naya Gray and Terrysha Harry.

The last round of the SSFL premiership division boys competition will be played on Friday with eight matches. Fatima have already sealed the title, while Pleasantville Secondary, Bishop's High School and Chaguanas North Secondary have been demoted.

Boys Fixtures:

Bishop's High vs Pleasantville, Plymouth Recreation Ground, 3.30 pm

Chaguanas North vs San Juan North, Edinburgh 500, 3.45 pm

Presentation College, San Fernando vs East Mucurapo, Manny Ramjohn Stadium, 3.45 pm

QRC vs Arima North, QRC grounds, 3.45 pm

St Anthony's vs Naparima, St Anthony's, 3.45 pm

St Mary's vs Fatima, St Mary's, 3.45 pm

St Benedict's vs Malick, Mahaica Oval, 3.45 pm

Trinity College East vs Speyside, Trinity College East, 3.30 pm

[Tallman]

Hillview maul Brazil Secondary 29-0 in SSFL
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)

Hillview College's under-20 footballers mauled Brazil Secondary School 29-0 on Friday in the Secondary Schools Football League, at the school ground, El Dorado Road, Tunapuna.

The heavy spanking restored the Jeremy McMeo-coached Hillview to the summit of their group, in the SSFL third division, as they continue their quest to return to the SSFL Championship.

Hillview did not compete in the SSFL last season but have come out on a mission this year and are currently perfect with six wins from as many matches. Arima North Secondary are in second place with 15 points from five games.

McMeo, assisted by former national futsal captain Jerwyn Balthazar, has brought his own style to Hillview with quick passes on the carpet but also an aerial threat with accurate crosses from both flanks.

On a slick surface after heavy rainfall on Friday, Hillview did not take long to impose their will on the game and pin their rivals in their own half.

Like the weather, the goals began to rain on Brazil who conceded 14 unanswered in the first half.

A goalkeeping change in the second half did little to stem the tide as it became a free-for-all in front the goal.

Urged on by the drumming from the school pavilion, Hillview continued to attack the hapless Brazil team with wave after wave of attack. Nine players from Hillview got on the scoresheet.

Christian Aaron, Khadell Campbell, Kemarley Pierre and Aaron Ragoonansingh bagged five each. Rgent Brown, Juninho La Fleur and Christian Corraspe each had a brace while Zyden Warris, Nathaniel Spencer and Arundel Cyrus had one apiece.

Hillview will now switch their focus to their final group game – a top-of-the-table clash at home versus Arima, who have a game in hand, on Friday.

The group winner will face St George's College, who won the other group, for a spot in the SSFL Championship.

However, if St Augustine Secondary get promoted to the Premiership, there will be two teams advancing to the Championship.

[Tallman]

QRC blank Arima North in Premier Division's final round
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)

Queen's Royal College (QRC), St Anthony's College, and outgoing Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division champions St Benedict's College were among the big winners in the league's final round of matches on Friday.

In Westmoorings, St Anthony's got a hard-earned 2-1 win over four-time premier division champions Naparima College, with captain Aalon Wilson-Wright and Theo Cravador scoring the goals to see off the south powerhouse team who wrapped up the season in fifth place on 27 points. St Anthony's jumped to 26 points with their victory and will end the campaign in seventh spot.

Benedict's (35 points) may have relinquished their premier division title to Fatima College, but they ended their league campaign on a high as they got a thumping 4-0 win over Malick Secondary to consolidate second spot on the 16-team table. Bustling Trinidad and Tobago youth forward Malachi Webb took his season's tally to a league-high 16 goals as he scored a hat-trick to power Benedict's past Malick.

Newly crowned premier division champions Fatima (40 points) also ended their league campaign on a winning note, as they blanked fellow North zone school St Mary's College by a 1-0 margin at the latter school's ground in St Clair to finish the season five points clear of their nearest rivals Benedict's. The Hutson Charles-coached team dropped just five points in 15 games this season, racking up an impressive 13 wins in the process.

A stone's throw away at QRC grounds on Serpentine Road in St Clair, the "Royalians" got a big boost heading into the intercol tournament as they blanked Arima North Secondary 2-0.

QRC, coached by former Soca Warriors captain Kenwyne Jones, shaded a tight affair in the first half but had nothing tangible to show for their efforts under overcast skies in St Clair. Arima playmaker Darion Marfan tested the wits of opposing goalkeeper Jaheim Affan with a long range free kick in the 20th minute. Meanwhile, on the half-hour mark, the hosts thought they had taken the lead but a close-range prod by defender Zakari King was ruled out for offside.

In the second half, the visiting Arima started the brighter of the two teams. On the hour mark, Arima's leading goal scorer Tyrell Stapleton crashed a first-time right-footed effort off the bar after a lovely display of skill down the flank by Mark Thomas. In the 66th minute, Arima central defender Garrick Thomas then shot wildly over the bar when the QRC defence failed to deal with a Marfan set piece.

Against the run of play in the second half, it would be QRC who managed to steal the three points with a pair of goals within the space of six minutes. In a QRC counter in the 71st minute, nippy striker Stephon James latched onto a through ball and fired a right-footed shot past Arima custodian Isaiah Diaz who lost his footing at the worst possible time.

Just a few moments later, Diaz had to pick the ball out of his net again, as QRC's all-action midfielder Tau Lamsee found the top corner with a peach of a free kick from just outside the area.

With the win, QRC (17 points) moved up two spots to 11th. Arima (26 points) stayed in sixth spot despite the loss.

In Chaguanas, San Juan North Secondary (33 points) consolidated third spot as they blanked the relegated Chaguanas North Secondary 2-0.

At the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella, Presentation College San Fernando (31 points) consolidated fourth spot as they got a big 5-2 win over East Mucurapo Secondary. TT youth attacker Vaughn Clement notched a hat-trick to finish the league season with 11 goals, while Adah Barclay scored a brace.

In Trincity, the reigning East zone intercol champions Trinity East (18 points) moved from 12th to eight on the table as they defeated Speyside Secondary by a 3-1 margin.

The game between the two other relegated teams Bishop's High School (Tobago) and Pleasantville Secondary was not played.

[Tallman]

Fatima College - 2023 SSFL Champions
By Colin Murray (T&T Guardian)

Congratulations to Fatima College, the 2023 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) champions! They won it with one round to spare, and they have done so with style and what I would label total football. When they attack, they attack with full force, and when they defend, they do so with all hands on deck. They seem to play to head coach Hutson "Baba" Charles’ plan, and they all give 150%.

Their victory against Naparima College took me back to the 80s when the Fatima team of that era exhibited a never-say-die attitude. It has been the hallmark of Fatima teams, especially this present team when they again came back earlier in the season against an excellent San Juan North Secondary School with 10 men in the dying stages of the match to win 5-2. They did the same thing last Saturday when trailing 1-0 vs Naparima College. They were being outplayed by a determined opponent, who quite clearly decided that no team was going to come on their ground and walk away with the title. They were hustled by a team that was faster to the ball and showed more intensity and drive. It certainly looked as if Naparima were the ones on the verge of winning the title. Then, going down to 10 men and still trailing 1-0 all seemed lost for the boys from Mucurapo heading into added-on time at the end of the second half. However, scoring 2 goals in those 10 minutes not only won the game but, most importantly, handed them a trophy that has evaded them since 1978.

The achievement by Fatima College was even more remarkable, considering the school was relegated in 2018, and all seemed lost back then. They then bounced back with promotion the following year; then, the pandemic struck the league for 2 years, and it appears that all this time, the school was investing in their students. Winning the National Intercol title last year, the school must have started to feel the investment was reaping some high returns. So, if last year was good, the feeling this year must be one of total euphoria and complete satisfaction.

The final round game was played against St Mary’s College, and what a celebration it was. St Mary’s, as expected gave it their all to defeat the newly crowned champions as the intense rivalry between these colleges goes way back to when the Colleges League was first started by themselves and Queen’s Royal College. No matter what, both schools hate to lose to one another. Somehow, for all the guts and determination from the home team, St Mary’s College, they couldn’t defeat this talented Fatima team.

The runners-up of this year’s SSFL Premiership the defending champions, St Benedict’s College, as they were at home to Malick Secondary in the final round. St Benedict’s started slowly and got better as the season progressed. They have suffered from the loss of Tarik Lee and Nicholas Bobcome but still have some excellent players in Malacai Webb, Jeremiah Niles, and Josiah Ochoa, to name a few. Defensively, they are well organised, and I expect them to be very dangerous for the Intercol. Still, they must get past tricky games against Presentation College San Fernando and Naparima College, both from the South zone, before they can think of the National title.

San Juan North, at one time, looked as if they could win the title, but that shock defeat at home to Fatima seemed to have deflated their aspirations. However, I expect them to re-energize and come back to the Intercol all fired up. With the talented Lindell Sween and Nathan Quashie in their lineup, they should win the East Zone Intercol title even though the Arima North Secondary team would be tough.

I saw the Presentation College vs Naparima College game when they played to a goalless draw. I like Presentation. They are a well-oiled team, and they are the only team to beat Fatima this season with a 1-0 victory away from home. They surprisingly lost 3-0 to St Benedict's but still have conceded few goals all season, a testament to their solid defence. But if they can find a way to be more creative and score goals, their chances to win the South Zone Intercol are as good as anyone.

Naparima simply has to exhibit the football they displayed against Fatima, and they could also win the South Zone Intercol title. The winner of this title is going to have to work hard, and they would need more than just ability but the right attitude.

Arima North Secondary could be a fly in the ointment. Like Presentation, they are good defensively, not allowing many goals in the back of their net this season. They seem to be the only team in the East to challenge San Juan North and, on their day, can spring a surprise for the East Zone Intercol. Trinity College East was no match for the more established schools, and I can’t see them defending their East Zone title successfully.

Fatima will start as firm favourites for the North Zone title. They will have a host of schools trying to upset them. St Anthony’s College, after a slow start, did well in the league to finish mid-table, and they should be better prepared for the Intercol. Malick and East Mucurapo were far too inconsistent in their performances, and if they can come good on the day in the knockout tournament, they may create a shock.

What can I say about St Mary’s and QRC, except they were disappointing? Both schools have to return to the drawing board, re-look at their programmes, and start working at the Under-14 and Under-16 levels, which may be the only way back for the traditional colleges. Take a page out of not just Fatima’s book but the Southern colleges’ books, as they are just about getting it right.

The bottom three - Chaguanas North, Pleasantville Secondary, and Bishop’s High School were simply outclassed and need to understand what it takes to compete at this level. It’s all about setting up the right programs and sticking with a plan. It is not going to be easy, and it will undoubtedly take a lot of sacrifice if these schools are to rebound. Speyside High School seems to be the best out of Tobago, but school football in Tobago is a far cry from the days of Dwight Yorke when he represented Signal Hill Secondary. Hopefully, school football in Tobago in the next few years will start to take a turn for the better, as it is imperative to have a Tobago school presenting consistent challenges against the best schools in Trinidad.

All in all, the league met expectations. I hope the schools place a little more time on developing players, especially those coming up in Under-14 and, to a lesser extent, at the Under-16 level, so the fans can see more quality football. Well done to all the schools, and good luck in the upcoming Intercol.

[Flex]

Webb secures St Benedict’s second spot, and takes scorers’ title.
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian).

National Under-17 striker Malacai Webb scored a hat-trick to help his team wrap up the second spot in this year’s Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Premiership Division after a 4-0 victory over East Mucurapo Secondary at the Mahaica Sporting Complex, Point Fortin on Friday.

In addition to the runner-up spot for last year’s league champions, Webb also moved ahead into sole possession of this year’s leading scorers’ race with 17 goals, three ahead of Malick Secondary’s Oba Samuel after both players went into the final round match with 14 goals each on the season.

With the win, St Benedict’s, also last year’s National Inter-Col runners-up to newly crowned league champions Fatima College finished the season with 35 points from 15 matches, five behind champions Fatima who got an own goal in their 1-0 win away to St Mary’s College at Serpentine Road, St Clair to put the icing on their successful campaign which ended a 45-year league title, and secured the team’s third national league crown overall after lifting its first title in 1973.

Elsewhere, San Juan North Secondary remained third with 33 points courtesy of a 2-0 win over demoted Chaguanas North Secondary while Presentation College also ended on a high with a 5-2 spanking of East Mucurapo led by a hat trick from Vaugh Clement.

However, four-time winners Naparima College were beaten 2-1 away at St Anthony’s College in the first match under assistant coach Abdallah Phillip who will oversee proceedings for the remainder of the season after the school management team opted to part ways with coach Travis Mulraine while Arima North Secondary also fell, 0-2 at Queen’s Royal College.

Friday’s Results

Bishop’s High School vs Pleasatville Sec - postponed

San Juan North Sec 2 (own goal, Jadiel Joseph) vs Chaguanas North Sec 0

Presentation College 5 (Vaughn Clement 3, Adah Barclay 2) vs East Mucurapo Sec 2 (Brandon Parks, Khidr Atiba)

QRC 2 (Stephon James, Tau Lamsee) vs Arima North Sec 0

St Anthony’s College 2 (Aalon Wright-Alexis, Theo Cravador) vs Naparima College 1 (Josiah Cooper)

Fatima 1 (own goal) vs St Mary’s College 0

St Benedict’s College 4 (Malacai Webb 3, Adam Pierre) vs Malick Sec 0

Trinity College East 3 (Nathan Prowell, Jeremiah Frank-Williams, Deisean Plaza) vs Speyside High 1 (Dashawn Bradshaw)

Latest SSFL Premier Division standings

Position Team P W D L F A Pts
1*Fatima*15*13*1*1*50*8*40
2*St Benedict’s*15*11*2*2*51*10*35
3*San Juan North*15*10*3*2*37*14*33
4*Presentation*15*9*4*2*25*8*31
5*Naparima*15*8*3*4*48*14*27
6*Arima North*15*7*5*3*24*10*26
7*St Anthony’s*15*8*2*5*34*21*26
8*East Mucurapo*15*5*3*7*28*40*18
9*Malick*14*5*2*7*37*25*17
10*Speyside*15*4*5*6*18*29*17
11*St Mary’s*15*5*2*8*26*40*17
12*Trinity East*15*5*3*7*24*28*18
13*QRC*15*5*2*8*30*32*17
14*Bishop’s High*13*1*1*11*7*40*4
15*Chaguanas North*15*1*1*13*5*65*4
16*Pleasantville*14*1*1*11*12*72*4

SSFL Premier Division leading scorers

17 - Malacai Webb (St Benedict’s)

14 - Oba Samuel (Malick)

12 - Michael Chaves (Fatima)

11 - Kyle Phillip (St Mary’s), Lindell Sween (San Juan North), Vaughn Clement (Presentation)

10 - Aiden De Gannes (Fatima), Jaden Grant, Daniel Jones (St Benedict’s), Khaleem Prince (Trinity East)

9 - Ryan Radellant (St Mary’s), Tyrell Stapleton (Arima North), Jaheem Danclair (San Juan North), Stephon James (QRC)

8 - Nathan Quashie (San Juan North), Tevin Pantor, Kanye Francis (Naparima),

7 - Kelon Williams (Pleasantville), Tau Lamsee (QRC)

6 - Andell Fraser, Jean-Marc Thomas (St Anthony’s), Aalon Wilson-Wright (St Anthony’s)

5 - Theo Cravador, Mordecai Ford (St Anthony’s), Mussadiq Mohammed, Micah Nelson (QRC), Josiah Cooper, Jaron Pascall (Naparima), Christian Bailey (Fatima), Brandon Parks (East Mucurapo), Adah Barclay (Presentation)

4 - Akiel Vesprey (Naparima), Clint Latchman, Jadon Mc Shine Maalik Jarvis (East Mucurapo), Keston Richards, Malachi Woodley (Malick), N’Kosi Quashie, Riquelme Phillip (Speyside), Jeremiah Niles, Josiah Ochoa (St Benedict’s), Jonathan Mason, Caden Trestrail (Fatima), Jadiel Joseph (San Juan North)

3 - J’Lon Matthews, Jordan Ferdinand, Tyrese Manswell (Malick), Jonathan Mason, Luke Correia (Fatima), Kaille Elliot (Presentation), Elijah Wong (St Mary’s), Stephano Christopher (Arima North), Nieem Taylor (East Mucurapo), Omar Daniel (Speyside), Russel Francois (St Anthony’s), Justin Lewis (Chaguanas North), Deisean Plaza (Trinity East)

2 - Justin Alcantar, Caden Trestrail (Fatima), Ronaldinho Richards (Malick), Kevin Francois, Jabari Forbes, Jkwon Bailey, Xarion France, Nathaniel O’Garro, Israel Joseph, Tyrel Rajoon, Aaron Raymond (Naparima), Darion Marfan, Ability Hazel, Jemaul Ashing, Theron O’Brien (Arima North), Lennox Eastman (Speyside), Malik Wilson, Damario Henry (Bishop’s High), Ethan Trotman (St Benedict’s), Jeremiah Frank-Williams), Jonathan Emrit (Trinity East), Kiev Robertson (Pleasantville), Al-Kalipha Henry, Zion Harley (East Mucurapo), Jahdel Chase-Charles (San Juan North), Levi Jones (Presentation),

1 - Nekayse Moore, Negaste Moore (Chaguanas North), Abeyomi George, Chaz Forde, Duhrell Young (Presentation), Teshaun Franklyn, Kerry Baptiste Jr, Philip Nelson, Jayden Christophe (QRC), Keanu Morean, Derrel Garcia, Nathan George, Adam Pierre (St Benedict’s), Levi Smith, Thomas Decle, Kade Collier, Jaden Williams, Yohance Atherton, Joshua Mason (Fatima), Antonio Sealey, Ackeem James, Isaiah David, Zachary Joseph (Malick), Daniel Rose, Obadiah Eyeadelrosiyhia, Amari Dunbar (St Anthony’s), Dashwan Bradshaw, Shyon George, Milz Johnson (Speyside), Tyler Ayers, Mark Thomas, Tony Figuera, Criston Gomez (Arima North), Marley Callender, Dusan Cooper, Alejandro Harper, Abdil-Junior Abdul-Hakeem (St Mary’s), Elizsha Rogers, Joshua Lewis (San Juan North), Kadeem Plaza, Hasheem Hill, Seretse Browne, Josiah Figaro, Dexter Croal, Keslon Pierre, Nathan Prowell (Trinity East), Kerton Arthur, Khaieem Lewis (Bishop’s High), Malachi Henry, Malik Xavier, Jemon Gulston, Khidr Atiba (East Mucurapo), Desean Adams, Joshuel Simon (Pleasantville)

Own goals : 10.

[Flex]

St Mary’s clobber Belmont Secondary 19-zip in Inter-Col opener.
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian).

Ryan Radellant and Aadil Abdul-Hakeem both scored beaver tricks to lead a rampant St Mary’s College to a 19-0 mauling of Belmont Secondary in their preliminary round clash to kick off the North Zone Secondary Schools Football League Coca-Cola Inter-Col at St Mary’s College Ground, Serpentine Road, St Clair on Monday.

Radellant got his goals in the 17th, 21st, 25th, and 45th minutes while Abdul-Hakeem found the back of the net in the 55th, 71st, 83rd, and 90+1 minutes in the lopsided contest with Elijah Wong (14th, 33rd, 53rd) and captain Kyle Phillip (38th, 42nd, 88th) adding hat tricks.

There were also two goals each for Kristian James (50th & 59th), and Jaeden Bobb (57th & 74th) with Dusan Cooper, the other scorer in the 35th as they stormed into the quarterfinals where they will battle East Mucurapo Secondary at Queen’s Royal College Ground on Friday from 3.30 pm.

Also yesterday, not far away at Queen’s Royal College Ground, host QRC got hat tricks from Micah Nelson, and Mussadiq Mohammed in an 11-0 hammering of Diego Martin Central Secondary.

The quintet of Kerry Baptiste Jr, Tau Lamsee, Zion Aberdeen, Philip Nelson, and Jayden Christophe chipped in with a goal each for the Royalians to set up a zonal quarterfinal encounter with Malick Secondary on Friday at St Anthony’s College Ground, Westmoorings.

In the other North preliminary round match host Blanchisseuse Secondary got a second-half strike from Aaron Marcano to edge Mucurapo West Secondary 1-0 and will next face St Anthony’s College at Fatima College Ground, Mucurapo Road, also on Friday.

Recently crowned National Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Premiership Division champions Fatima will kick off the defense of their National Inter-Col crown in the North Zone quarterfinal round on Friday against the winner of the preliminary round clash between Trinity College and Tranquillity Secondary School which will be played today at Moka, Maraval from 3:30 pm after it was postponed by 24 hours due to the inclement weather.

In other matches yesterday, El Dorado West Secondary got the better of Five Rivers Secondary 4-2 on penalty kicks after an entertaining 4-4 draw in the East Zone while in the South Zone, Siparia West Secondary blanked Princes Town West Secondary 3-0, and Point Fortin East Secondary battled past ASJA Boys College of San Fernando 5-4 via penalties after a tense 1-1 deadlock.

Yesterday’s Results - Preliminary Round

East Zone

El Dorado West Sec 4 (Jadon Gaston 2, Donte Gordon, Nicholai Marshall) vs Five Rivers Sec 4 (Jeremiah Sampson 2, Rayshawn Brown, Jaden Crichlow) - El Do West Sec won 4-2 on penalty-kicks

North Zone

St Mary’s 21 (Ryan Radellant 17th, 21st, 25th, 45th, Aadil Abdul-Hakeem 55th, 71st, 83rd, 90+1, Elijah Wong 14th, 33rd, 53rd, Kyle Phillip 38th, 42nd, 88th, Kristian James 50th, 59th, Jaeden Bobb 57th, 74th, Dusan Cooper 35th) vs Diego Martin Central 0

QRC 11 (Micah Nelson 3, Mussadiq Mohammed 3, Kerry Baptiste Jr, Tau Lamsee, Zion Aberdeen, Philip Nelson, Jayden Christophe) vs Belmont Sec 0

Blanchisseuse Sec 1 (Aaron Marcano) vs Mucurapo West Sec 0

South Zone

Siparia West Sec 3 (Elijah Jones 2, Emmanuel Duncan) vs Princes Town West 0

Point Fortin East Sec 1 (Akeellon George) vs ASJA Boys 1 (Emmanuel Marine) - Point Fortin East won 5-4 on penalty-kicks

Today’s matches

North Zone Preliminary Round:

Trinity College Moka vs Tranquillity Sec @ Moka, Maraval, 3.30 pm

Thursday, November 9:

Zonal Quarterfinals:

Central Zone:

Carapichaima West Sec vs Couva East Sec @ Couva East Sec, 3.30 pm

Miracle Ministries PHS vs Presentation @ Edinburgh 500 Rec. Grd, 3.30 pm

Carapichaima East Sec vs ASJA Boys @ Presentation Grd, Chaguanas, 3.30 pm

Chaguanas North - bye

East Zone:

San Juan North Sec vs El Dorado West @ San Juan North Sec, Bourg Mulatresse, 3.30 pm

St Augustine Sec vs El Dorado Sec @ St Augustine Sec Grd, Warren Street, 3.30 pm

Arima North Sec vs Holy Cross @ Arima North Sec, 3.30 pm

Trinity East vs Valencia Sec @ Trinity East Grd, Trincity, 3.30 pm

Tobago Zone:

Speyside vs Goodwood Sec @ Black Rock Rec. Grd, 3 pm

Bishop’s High vs Pentecostal L&L @ Black Rock Rec. Grd, 5 pm.

South Zone:

Pleasantville Sec vs Moruga Sec @ Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, 3.30 pm

Naparima vs Ste Madeleine Sec @ Lewis St, San F’do, 3.30 pm

Friday, November 10:

Tobago Zone:

Scarborough Sec vs Mason Hall Sec

Signal Hill vs Roxborough Sec

North Zone:

Fatima vs Trinity/Tranquillity Sec winner @ St Mary’s Grd, St Clair, 3.30 pm

East Mucurapo Sec vs St Mary’s @ QRC Grd, Maraval Rd, 3.30 pm

St Anthony’s vs Blanchisseuse Sec @ Fatima College Grd, Mucurapo Rd, 3.30 pm

Malick Sec vs QRC, St Anthony’s College Grd, Westmoorings, 3.30 pm

South Zone:

St Benedict’s vs Point Fortin East @ Mahaica Oval, Pt Fortin, 3.30 pm

Presentation/Naparima vs Siparia West Sec @ Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Mareballa, 3.30 pm

Zonal Semifinals:

Tuesday, November 14: Central Zone & Tobago Zone

Wednesday, November 15: East Zone

Thursday, November 16: North Zone

Friday, November 17: South Zone

Zonal Finals:

Monday, November 20: Central Zone

Tuesday, November 21: East Zone

Wednesday, November 22: Tobago Zone

Thursday, November 23: South Zone & North Zone

National playoffs:

Quarterfinal:

Tuesday, November 28:

North winner vs Central winner

Semifinals:

Venue: Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

Friday, December 1:

South vs East

North/Central winner vs Tobago

Final:

Venue: Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

Thursday, December 7:

[Flex]

Trinity beat Tranquil, advance in Intercol.
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday).

TRINITY College advanced in the Coca Cola Intercol competition with a win on penalties over Tranquillity Secondary School in the preliminary round at the former's school ground in Moka, Maraval on Tuesday.

The match was scheduled to be played on Monday, but because of a waterlogged field it was postponed.

The teams played to a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation time with Antonio Cole scoring in the 39th minute for Trinity, before Naeem Whiskey equalised around the 70th minute mark for Tranquil. Trinity qualified for the North zone quarter-finals with a 5-4 win on penalties.

On Thursday, zonal quarter-final matches will be played in the Central, East, South and Tobago zones. On Friday, the Tobago and South zones will feature again, along with the North zone.

[Tallman]

Carapichaima West, Speyside score big in zonal intercol quarters
By Ronaeil Walcott (T&T Newsday)

Carapichaima West Secondary and Speyside Secondary were among the big winners as zonal quarter-final action in the Coca-Cola Boys intercol competition kicked off across T&T on Thursday.

In the Central zone, Carapichaima West ran up the scoreline against Couva East Secondary in their encounter at the latter school's compound, storming away with a massive 12-0 win. Jaydon Bartholomew scored a beaver-trick for Carapichaima West, with striker Supreme Outar living up to his name with a lovely hat-trick.

Also in the Central zone, Carapichaima East Secondary, who were stripped of last season's Central intercol crown after the use of an ineligible player, blanked Presentation College (Chaguanas) by a 3-0 margin. Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School emerged as the other quarter-final winner in Central as they won their game by default against ASJA Boys College. Chaguanas North Secondary received a bye through to the semi-finals.

In a double-header at the Black Rock recreation ground in Tobago, Speyside and Bishop's High School romped to the zonal semi-finals with huge wins. The two schools represented the island in the 2023 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division season and they flexed their collective muscles as Speyside thumped Goodwood Secondary 10-0 and Bishop's romped to an 8-0 win over Pentecostal Light and Life.

In the South zone, powerhouse school Naparima College showed no mercy to Ste Madeleine Secondary as they got a facile 5-0 win at Lewis Street in San Fernando. Both Jaron Pascall and Tevin Pantor scored a pair of goals for Naparima.

In South's other quarter-final match up on Thursday, Pleasantville Secondary, who have been relegated from the premier division after a rough 2023 league campaign, defeated Moruga Secondary by a 3-1 margin. Kelon Williams scored a double to power Pleasantville to victory.

In the East zone, the premier division trio of Arima North Secondary, San Juan North Secondary, Trinity College East, as well as zonal championship division winners St Augustine Secondary progressed to the semis.

Trinity East central defender Nicholas Whiteman scored a first-half double to cancel out an early item from Valencia Secondary's Kyle Lacroix as the former school got a big 5-1 win. Trinity East, last year's East zone intercol champions, will meet Arima in Wednesday's semi-final. Arima got a 3-1 win in their quarter-final match up against Holy Cross College, with Tyrell Stapleton, Ability Hazel and Stephano Christopher finding the back of the net.

St Augustine and San Juan will meet in the East's other semi, after getting 2-0 and 8-0 wins in their respective quarter-finals against El Dorado East and El Dorado West Secondary. Nathan Quashie, Jaheem Danclar and TT youth midfielder Lindell Sween all scored twice as San Juan hammered El Dorado West in Bourg Mulatresse, San Juan.

Intercol action will continue on Friday with matches in three zones.

[Tallman]

North intercol match ends in penalties thriller - Mucurapo edges CIC 4-3
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)

East Mucurapo goalkeeper Aaron Andrews was the hero for his school in Coca-Cola North zone intercol quarter-final action on Friday, as he saved two penalties in a tense shootout to grant his team a 4-3 win from the spot over St Mary's College, after a goalless stalemate.

Playing at Queen's Royal College (QRC) ground in St Clair, Mucurapo looked the likelier of the teams to break the deadlock in the second half, as they forced opposing goalie Tyrese Henry into a string of fine saves.

Flanker Zion Harley and the midfield pair of Atiba Khidr and Jadon McShine all gave solid performances in the second half, but couldn't beat Henry despite their best efforts. In the 78th minute, the St Mary's goalkeeper just about spared his blushes with a last-ditch save after spilling a deep free kick by McShine.

Crucially, Henry wasn't between the sticks in the shootout for St Mary's as he was substituted in the 90th minute by coach Michael Grayson, with the goalkeeper pointing to an apparent knee injury. Henry watched on in agony from the sidelines as Andrews and the Mucurapo youngsters held their nerve to book their spot through to the North zone semi-finals.

With the scores locked at 3-3 in the shootout, Andrews delivered the knockout punch for coach Dale Saunders and Mucurapo, as he emphatically stopped the efforts by Aadil Abdul-Hakeem and St Mary's captain Kyle Phillip to spark wild celebrations from his schoolmates. Nieem Taylor scored the clinching penalty for Mucurapo to set up a meeting with St Anthony's College in the North zone semi-finals.

The "Westmoorings Tigers" of St Anthony's fought off a feisty challenge from North zone championship division winners Blanchisseuse Secondary as they got a resounding 7-2 win in Mucurapo. The scores were tied 2-2 in the first half after a double by Blanchisseuse's Kirk Abraham, but St Anthony's were relentless in the second period as Andell Fraser scored a hat-trick and Theo Cravador netted a brace to secure the big win.

In Westmoorings, QRC set up a semi-final meeting with last year's national intercol winners Fatima College as they defeated Malick Secondary by a slender 2-1 margin. All three goals in the encounter were scored in the first half, with QRC's Micah Nelson scoring a double to send the "Royalians" through to the semis.

Fatima were made to sweat in their match up with Trinity College (Moka), but they saved their scoring for late in the contest as they ran away comfortable 5-0 victors. Trinity put up a resolute showing for most of the match, but their resilience was eventually broken in the 75th minute when Christian Bailey opened the scoring with a neat finish. The 2023 Secondary School Football League (SSFL) premier division champions then rained goals down at the Serpentine Road, St Clair venue, with three of their remaining goals coming in stoppage-time. Caden Trestrail helped himself to a brace in the frenetic stoppage-time period to send Fatima to the North semis. Fatima's clash with QRC will see last year's two North zone finalists doing battle one round earlier this time around.

At the Black Rock recreation ground in Tobago, there was penalty drama as Mason Hall Secondary edged Scarborough Secondary 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time. In the other game, Tobago's reigning intercol champions Signal Hill Secondary got a 3-1 win over Roxborough Secondary.

In the South zone quarter-finals, a whopping 27 goals were scored in the two matches as both Presentation College (San Fernando) and St Benedict's College hit double digits in emphatic victories over Siparia West Secondary and Point Fortin East Secondary respectively. Presentation were in a ruthless mood at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella, as they defeated Siparia West by a whopping 14-0 margin. Both Chaz Forde and T&T youth attacker Vaughn Clement enjoyed themselves in front of goal as they scored six goals apiece.

At the Mahaica Oval in Point Fortin, Benedict's were also dominant as they earned a 12-1 win over Point Fortin East. Jeremiah Joseph led the way for the regining South zone intercol champions Benedict's with a hat-trick, with Joel Griffith scoring a double. The premier division's top scorer Malachi Webb also got on the scoresheet.

In the South semis, Benedict's will play Pleasantville, while Presentation will meet Naparima College in a fixture which has often been dubbed the local "El Clasico."

The girls intercol tournament will commence on Saturday, with quarter-final action in the respective zones.

[Tallman]

Hillview one step from SSFL promotion
T&T Newsday

Hillview College are one step away from qualifying for the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Championship division. The Tunapuna school, competing in the senior division, will battle St George's College for automatic promotion.

Needing a point to finish top of their group, Hillview defeated Arima North Secondary 3-2 on Friday at their school ground. The victory was their seventh from as many matches with 61 goals scored and just seven conceded.

The Jeremy McMeo-coached team never trailed in the match and deservedly took the full points. Kemarley Pierre opened the scoring for the hosts in the first half, but a vicious left-footed strike by Zion Metivier from about 20 yards restored parity. Leaving nothing to chance, Hillview pressed for the go-ahead goal and Christian Aaron volleyed them in front before the break, to the delight of the home fans.

Pierre scored his second of the match after the interval from a corner delivered by Regent Browne.

The two-goal cushion put Hillview at ease as time began to run out. A stoppage-time goal from Theron O'Brian trimmed the deficit but could not stop Hillview from advancing to the playoff.

Arima North Secondary have a team in the SSFL Premiership and cannot be promoted to the championship, but could have played spoilers on the day.

If St Augustine Secondary, winners of this year's SSFL Championship East Zone, are promoted to the premiership via the Big 5 competition, there will be two spots available in the championship and both Hillview and St George's will be promoted.

Hillview, managed by Nirad Tewarie, did not compete in the SSFL last season but have given a good account of themselves this campaign.

Tewarie said the victory has left the school upbeat and optimistic. He said, "We are happy that we came together as a unit and executed well against a team of the calibre if Arima North. They've been playing excellent football, so to pull off a victory against them is quite an achievement for us.

"The boys have been putting in a lot of work and no one wanted to play for a draw. We feel like we have developed a balanced squad. Coaches Jeremy McMeo and Jerwyn Balthazar have to be credited for their tactical work before and during the match."

He credited the support of acting Prnicpal Sharon Ramdeen and her predecessor Derek Bissessar as well as parents. He expects a tough game versus St George's on an unfamilar ground.

[Flex]

Bishop Anstey East, Port of Spain win big in girls intercol.
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday).

Bishop Anstey High School (PoS) and Bishop Anstey High School (East) both recorded big wins in zonal intercol quarter-final action in their respective zones on Saturday, as the girls’ intercol competition got underway with various games across the country.

Bishop Anstey PoS were resounding in their meeting with Malick Secondary in the North zone, as they got a thumping 9-1 victory. Diego Martin Central Secondary also put on a dominant display as they spanked Tranquillity Secondary by a 7-1 margin. Mariah Williams led the scoring for Diego Martin Central with a hat-trick. Sarai Baptiste-Roberts added two goals of her own in the big Diego win.

Bishop Anstey East also found the back of the net with regularity in their encounter with Barataria North Secondary in the East zone, as they got a comfortable 5-1 win on their home turf in Trincity. T&T youth attacker Orielle Martin stole the show for Bishop Anstey East as she scored a hat-trick.

In the other East zone game, El Dorado East Secondary got a 2-1 penalty shootout win against St Augustine Secondary after a 1-1 stalemate in regular time. El Dorado’s next test is also expected to be a stern one, as they will meet reigning East zone intercol champions Five Rivers Secondary in the zonal semi-finals. Five Rivers have also progressed to this season’s Secondary Schools Football League’s (SSFL) girls Big 5 final, where they will meet 2022 Big 5 champions Scarborough Secondary.

In the Central zone, the two Carapichaima schools got slender victories to advance to the zonal semi-finals, as both Carapichaima East and Carapichaima West Secondary got 1-0 victories in their quarter-final matches. Carapichaima West got by Chaguanas North Secondary in Edinburgh, Chaguanas. Meanwhile, Carapichaima East squeezed by the challenge posed by a Chaguanas South Secondary outfit which started the game with only seven players. Chaguanas South manager Kempes Charles said his team has played the entire Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) season without a full complement of players. On the weekend, Chaguanas South put up a brave fight despite being short-handed, but a solitary item from Carapichaima East was enough to end their intercol campaign.

In Tobago, Roxborough Secondary got a 2-0 win over Mason Hall Secondary at the Cyd Gray Sporting Complex, Roxborough in the lone quarter-final played on the island on the day. On Wednesday, Tobago’s two other quarter-final matches will be contested with a keen double-header at the Plymouth recreation grounds. In the first encounter, Bishop’s High School (Tobago) will meet Speyside Secondary. Reigning national girls intercol champions Signal Hill Secondary will meet Pentecostal Light and Life in the second match of the double-header.

In the South zone, Palo Seco Secondary won their encounter versus Princes Town West Secondary by default.

The girls zonal semi-finals are scheduled for November 19. Meanwhile, SSFL president Merere Gonzales confirmed the postponement of the girls’ Big 5 final between Scarborough and Five Rivers which was initially carded for November 15. Gonzales told Newsday the final is to be held in Tobago, but he said the East zone champions Five Rivers has had difficulty in finalising travel arrangements for the all-important game. He said a new date should be announced by the league this week.

Zonal semi-final action in the boys intercol tournament will commence on Tuesday with matches in the Central and Tobago zones. Last year’s Central intercol winners Chaguanas North will face Carapichaima West, while Carapichaima East will play Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School. In Black Rock, Tobago a double-header will see Speyside meeting Mason Hall Secondary in the first semi, with reigning Tobago champions Signal Hill meeting Bishop’s High School (Tobago) in the other match.