February 12, 2025, 08:25:42 AM

Author Topic: 2024 SSFL Thread  (Read 26728 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #30 on: September 24, 2024, 02:16:59 PM »
Orielle Martin bags 11 as Bishop Anstey drub El Do 17-0 in SSFL
By Andrew Gioannetti (T&T Newsday)


NATIONAL women's under-17 attacker Orielle Martin scored an astonishing 11 goals, leading Bishop Anstey High (BAHS) to the summit of the Secondary Schools Football League Girls Championship East Zone standings, on September 22.

BAHS enjoyed a 17-0 drubbing of El Dorado East Secondary to overtake Five Rivers Secondary in the six-team zonal standings. Emily Harrilal contributed with a hat-trick for BAHS.

The win put BAHS on six points from two wins, following their 6-0 opening-round win over Sangre Grande Secondary.

Five Rivers Secondary also recorded two wins from two matches after brushing aside San Juan Secondary 3-0. They remain second on goal difference with +ten, behind BAHS's +23 goals.

St Augustine Secondary picked up their first win of the season in style, easing past Sangre Grande Secondary 8-0. Kanicka Rodriguez starred for St Augustine, bagging four goals.

In Tobago, SSFL girls' footballer of the year J'Eleisha Alexander scored four goals, guiding Scarborough Secondary to a 6-1 win over Mason Hall Secondary.

However, Signal Hill maintained their near-perfect start, securing a third consecutive win - 3-0 over Bishop's High. Ty'Kaiya Dennis, Madison Campbell and Naomi Scott all scored.

The other fixture saw Roxborough pick up a second victory in three matches, beating Pentecostal Light & Life 4-3.

Lory Clarke, Natanya McLawrence, Shabana Kalla, and Samatha were on target for Roxborough.

Tyler Neptune scored all three goals for Pentecostal Light & Life.

The boys were in action a day prior in Tobago, with Bishop's sealing their first victory against the previously unbeaten Scarborough Secondary, winning 2-1.

Jelani Johnson and Jaeden Anthony scored a goal each for Bishop's, while Scarborough's lone item resulted from an own goal.

Mason Hall Secondary also picked up their first win after three matches, beating Pentecostal Light & Life 3-0.

Yashua Muhammed scored a brace and Rickeldi Williams the other.

On September 20, San Juan North Secondary went clear in the East Zone Group B standings, beating Barataria North Secondary 7-0. Neighbours San Juan North Secondary ended the weekend in second spot after beating Mt Hope Secondary 5-1.

Sangre Grande remained on top of Group A after beating Matura Secondary 4-1, followed closely by North Eastern College, who beat Manzanilla Secondary 4-2
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #31 on: September 26, 2024, 10:50:10 AM »
Luke Correia goal gives Fatima SSFL lead, 2023 champs edge St Augustine
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)


REIGNING Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division winners Fatima College (ten points) moved to the top of the 2024 standings on September 23 when they got a narrow 1-0 win over St Augustine Secondary at the latter's compound in St Augustine.

In a rescheduled game which Fatima head coach Huston Charles described as scrappy, Fatima got the lone goal of the contest in the 15th minute when attacker Luke Correia scored from close range to finish off a tantalising run from 2023 SSFL Player of the Year Michael Chaves.

For Correia, it's a third goal in the young premier division season, to go along with his opening goal in Fatima's National Gas Company (NGC) Super Cup win over Presentation College (San Fernando) on September 6.

The 13th-placed St Augustine team, which opened their 2024 premier division account with a 1-0 win against north zone intercol holders St Anthony's College on September 21, ended the game with ten men as Simon Kirk received his marching orders and a second yellow card in the 83rd minute for a tackle which was deemed reckless by referee Keilon Bacchus.

Ahead of the season, Fatima manager Stephen Bison told Newsday his team intends to take all four titles on offer this season - the NGC Super Cup, premier division, north zone and national intercol crowns.

Four games into the league season and with wins over Presentation and the promoted pair of Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School and St Augustine, Fatima are off to a solid start.

Charles said it wasn't the most memorable display from his team, and he expects the north zone giants to receive another stern test when they host the ninth-placed San Juan North Secondary (six points) at their Mucurapo Road home on September 25.

Last season, despite going down to ten men for the latter part of their clash away to San Juan in Bourg Mulatresse, Fatima got a stunning 5-2 victory to stun the east zone powerhouse.

And after seeing off the challenge of the "Green Machine," Charles will hope his team can quell the threat of another east team.

With a +11 goal differential, Fatima top the 16-team table ahead of 2022 premier division champions St Benedict's College who have ten points and a +4 goal differential. Arima North Secondary and Malick Secondary are third and fourth with eight points apiece.

SSFL premier division standings

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

1.Fatima*4*3*1*0*12*1*11*10

2St Benedict's*4*3*1*0*6*2*4*10

3.Arima North*4*2*2*0*9*2*7*8

4.Malick*4*2*2*0*10*6*4*8

5.Naparima*4*2*1*1*6*4*2*7

6.Signal Hill*4*2*1*1*10*10*0*7

7.Presentation (San Fernando)*3*2*0*1*8*3*5*6

8.St Anthony's College*4*2*0*2*9*5*4*6

9.San Juan North*4*2*0*2*7*6*1*6

10.St Mary's College*4*1*1*2*5*12*-7*4

11.Trinity East*4*1*0*3*7*9*-2*3

12.QRC*4*1*0*3*5*7*-2*3

13.St Augustine*3*1*0*2*1*6*-5*3

14.Miracle Ministries PHS*4*1*0*3*2*16*-14*3

15.Speyside*3*0*1*2*5*8*-3*1

16.East Mucurapo*3*0*0*3*1*6*-5*0
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #32 on: September 26, 2024, 07:19:18 PM »
Trinity East beat Malick 3-2 in SSFL premiership
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday)


TRINITY College East beat Malick Secondary 3-2 during their Secondary Schools' Football League (SSFL) premier division match on home turf at the Arima Velodrome on September 25.

Goals from Khaleem Prince and Dexter Croal in the first half, partnered with one from captain Deisean Plaza in the second, earned Trinity East three precious points after round five, and only their second win of the season.

Two late strikes in the final ten minutes of regulation time from Jaekwon Phillip and Tyrese Manswell gave Malick a fighting chance in the end, but the hosts held on for a nail-biting triumph.

From the kick off, Trinity East showed intent in the opening ten minutes as they had a couple looks in on goal but brought no real threat to Malick goalie Omarion Worrell.

Malick's Ronaldinho Richards had the first real chance in the 13th minute as he received a pass on the edge of the Trinity area and smartly got past his man with his first touch. However, the winger lost composure and fired high and wide.

Tyrese Manswell could have also put Malick ahead but his right-footed attempt down the left, hit the side netting. Soon after, Richards almost latched on to an Anthony Sealey through-ball but an alert Jadon Pollard swooped in to snatch the ball to safety.

Richards kept the pressure on two minutes later, but his long range, dipping effort down the left fell just outside the back post.

In the 37th minute, however, Trinity East made well on their first open chance as a long ball to charging striker Khaleem Prince caught Malick's defense off-guard. Prince slotted past Worrell to grab an early advantage.

One minute later, Malick defender H. Bartholomew brought down Trinity East winder Elijah Diaz in the box and gave the hosts a chance to go further ahead. Dexter Croal easily converted by placing his shot to the right of Worrell, to go 2-0 up.

So it remained at the half.

Nine minutes into the second period, Malick had a golden chance to halve their deficit as a delightful run by Manswell down the right saw him pass to a charging Homer, who surprisingly kicked overbar in front of goal.

Malick were made to pay as a corner cross by Trinity East fell to the head of unmarked skipper Jaysean Plaza, who made it 3-0 in the 63rd.

Malick kept pressing for a breakthrough and were duly rewarded in the 83rd as Phillip latched on to a cross to fire past Pollard. Four minutes later, a looping through-ball from Richards to a surging Manswell saw the latter shoot past Pollard to bring their deficit to one goal.

Despite late attempts from Trinity East to increase their lead, and Malick to level the game, the former held on in the final minutes to seal the win.

In other matches, table-toppers Fatima College maintained their unbeaten streak with a 4-1 over San Juan North at Fatima Grounds in Mucurapo.

Meanwhile, Presentation College San Fernando triumphed over Signal Hill Secondary in Tobago. Naparima let an early lead slip and saw Arima North pull one back to draw 1-1 at Lewis Street in San Fernando.

Queen's Royal College handed St Mary's a 2-0 defeat at QRC grounds in St Clair while East Mucurapo beat Miracle Ministries 1-0.

Both matches between St Anthony's and St Benedict's and Speyside and St Augustine were not played.
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #33 on: September 29, 2024, 05:42:35 PM »
Jadiel Joseph hat-trick leads San Juan North past Miracle Ministries
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday)


A first-half hat-trick from Jadiel Joseph guided San Juan North to a cool 3-0 victory over struggling Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High when Secondary Schools' Football League (SSFL) premier division action continued at Bourg Mulatresse on September 28.

Despite Miracle Ministries showing some defensive quality in the opening minutes, Joseph got off the mark in the 19th after receiving a high, long ball from defender Jaheem Danclar.

The striker maintained his run, headed over his marker, then toe-poked it over the Miracle Ministries goalie Kieron Guy before throwing his entire body behind the ball to get a foot on, to ensure it crossed the line.

Thirteen minutes later, Guy launched a long free kick forward to Joseph on the right. Joseph's first touch beat his man and allowed him to surge forward freely, to rifle his right-footed shot past a diving Guy.

And in the 37 minute, a similar high ball to Joseph on the right saw the winger press on goalwards, and like his two earlier attempts, Joseph banged the ball past a helpless Guy.

So it remained at the half-time break, and despite attempts from the hosts to increase their lead in the second period, San Juan North were shut out.

Miracle Ministries stepped up their performance a bit in the second half but still could not find the back of the net.

First Citizens Man of the Match awardee Joseph said he was pleased with his performance but could have done better by not wasting other easy chances.

However, he was elated the team could come away with three points as they continue to improve.

"At the start (of the season), everyone was a little disappointed but now we are trying to work together as a team to build the bond, carry the love out on the field and do as best as we can in the league," he said.

The win for San Juan saw them rise to fifth place.

Defending SSFL premier champions and current table toppers Fatima College extended their unbeaten run of form to six in a row as they cruised past St Mary's College 2-0 at home in Mucurapo. The result keeps them atop the standings on 16 pts.

Second-placed St Benedict's (13 pts) kept on the heels of Fatima as they also notched 2-1 triumph over Malick at St Mary's Ground in St Clair.

Arima North (ten pts), who were third before the September 28 leg, dropped points in a third consecutive draw, this time against QRC at the Arima Velodrome; both unable to find the back of the net in a 0-0 stalemate. Despite the result, Arima North still maintain an unbeaten run so far.

However, their drawn result allowed Presentation College San Fernando (12 pts) to climb into third place as they eked out a 1-0 away win over East Mucurapo in St Clair.

In other matches, Signal Hill (eight pts) and St Augustine (four pts) rallied to an exciting 3-3 result while cellar-placed Speyside (four pts) earned their first victory of the season with a 2-1 triumph over Trinity East (six pts).

Naparima College and St Anthony's did not play their match day six tie.
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #34 on: September 29, 2024, 07:36:54 PM »
Fatima stay on top, Benedict's keep pace
By Ian Prescott (T&T Express)


CHAMPIONS and leaders Fatima and St Benedict's College, both won yesterday to maintain the top two positions in the Premier Division of the Secondary Schools Football League.

Late goals by Jaheim Bailey and Caden Trestrail saw Fatima (16 points from six matches) winning a local derby 2-0 over a stubborn St Mary's College, while Cameron Burke and Ethan Trotman both scored as St Benedict's College handed Malick Secondary a second successive defeat, edging them 2-1, Josante Duncan scoring for the Morvant school.

Meanwhile, Vaughn Clement's 39th minute goal saw Presentation College San Fernando (12 points) get past East Mucurapo Secondary 1-0, moving them up to fourth. They leapfrogged Arima North Secondary (ten), who dropped points in a 0-0 draw with mid-table Queen's Royal College. Going into their match in third spot, unbeaten Arima North failed to win for the third consecutive match, this time against a hot-and-cold QRC at the Arima Velodrome. And San Juan North (ten) also won comfortably over the bottom team Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School to move up to fifth.

There was no divine intervention for Miracle Ministries in their visit to Bourg Mulatresse, where Jadiel Joseph's first half hat-trick led San Juan North to a 3-0 win over the promoted Central Zone school.

Always one of the title contenders, San Juan head coach Jerry Moe surprisingly stated that this season was one of consolidation, having lost half of the six matches they have played.

"We knew it would be a tough season this year because we didn't do much recruiting," Moe said. "We had to go from internally and we lost some key pieces from last season. Very difficult for us this season, but we just trying to survive this season, and build for next season," Moe added.

Things are even more difficult for Miracle Ministries Pentecostal, who dropped back to the bottom spot as they were passed by Speyside Secondary, who defeated Trinity East 2-1 for their first win of the season.

Miracle Ministries temporarily moved off the bottom following a shock 1-0 win over QRC, but have now conceded 20 goals in six matches, while losing five times. Their opponents yesterday, San Juan North, bounced back to winning ways after two defeats last week to Trinity East (3-2) and Fatima (4-1).

Joseph got first half goals in the 19th, 33rd and 37th minutes, following an opening period where the visitors put up sturdy defending and also had the occasional chance at the other end.

Joseph finally broke through when sweeping in the rebound following frenetic defending which saw Jaheem Danclair's initial shot cleared off the line. Joseph then pounced twice from wide-right to score with a powerful shot to complete his first half hat-trick. There were also chances for Danclair to put in a few as well, while Jahdel Chase-Charles headed over one of several dangerous in-curling free kicks from Lindell Sween.

Danclair and Chase-Charles were both withdrawn early in the second half when Miracle Ministries regained their earlier solid defensive structure, and again proved difficult to break down. Miracle Ministries head coach Marcus Rivers said his instruction to his players was to keep possession and stay in the match.

YESTERDAY'S SSFL RESULTS:

San Juan North 3 (Jadiel Joseph 3) Miracle Ministries 0

Fatima College 2 (Caden Trestrail, Jaheim Bailey) St Mary's 0

East Mucurapo 0 Presentation Sando 1 (Vaughn Clement 39)

Malick Secondary 1 (Josante Duncan) St Benedict's 2 (Cameron Burke, Ethan Trotman)

Arima North 0 QRC 0

Speyside High 2 (Riquelme Phillips 2) Trinity College East 1 (Khaleem Prince)

St Augustine 3 (Giovanni Hospedales, Shumba Cudjoe, Marcelle Valentine) Signal Hill 3 (Isreal Trim, Kyle James)

Naparima College vs St Anthony's College postponed due to a school function.
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #35 on: September 30, 2024, 12:53:41 PM »
Tempers flare after SSFL match between QRC, Arima North
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)


Reigning east zone Intercol champions Arima North Secondary (ten points) continued their unbeaten run in the 2024 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division season when they played to a goalless draw with the ninth-placed Queen's Royal College (seven points) at the Arima Velodrome on September 28.

However, as referee Anil Joseph blew his whistle at the end of 90 minutes, tempers threatened to escalate after QRC substitute Jasai Theophilus barged into Arima defender Ability Hazel near the sideline and in close proximity to the Royalians' bench. In a minute and 50-second video which has since gone viral after the match, Hazel is seen pushing back at the 14-year-old national youth player.

After his push, Hazel's jersey was grabbed by QRC coach and former Soca Warriors striker Kenwyne Jones, who was standing in his team's technical area. Jones' reaction was not welcomed by the players and staff of the Arima team, who quickly swarmed both he and Hazel. Players and staff from both teams squared off, with spectators also trickling onto the velodrome cycling track to have their say in the argument.

Speaking to Newsday on September 29, Arima manager Lasana Liburd said Jones' actions were "improper" and he felt he needed to protect Hazel after his jersey was grabbed by the QRC coach. Meanwhile, Jones described the incident as a "storm in a teacup" and he defended his actions, saying that he was trying to stop things from escalating between the two players.

"(Theophilus) barged into the Arima player, a cheap shot which he was wrong for," Jones told Newsday, pointing to his player's inexperience in the scenario. "I told Hazel 'lewwe forget that.'"

Having coached Hazel in the past, Jones felt he needed to act straight away to stop any further retaliation.

"I was trying to calm the situation. I think a bit of over-exuberance caused the extra excitement. The game itself didn't warrant that type of over-exuberance. It was nothing," he said.

"There was no malice at all in my actions. I didn't want the situation to boil over."

Although both men agreed that the coming together between the teams was quelled in quick time, Liburd had a different take on how the scenario transpired.

"The suggestion a parent heard after the game was that the QRC coach was intervening and trying to stop a fight involving an Arima player," Liburd told Newsday. "We absolutely deny that. We're an extremely disciplined team and the video itself shows the Arima player, after being pushed, was actually trying to walk in the opposite direction when he was grabbed. I had to defend our players there because we're just trying to play football.

"I don't know what (Jones) was saying to Ability. Whatever he was saying to me, there was no reason for him to be physically restraining our player and our schoolboy. That's what I was mostly interested in because I think it's improper for him to be holding one of our players and restricting him from returning to the Arima technical area."

Liburd said he felt Joseph allowed too much off-the-ball contact during the match and didn't have total control of proceedings.

"I think the contact from Theophilus was intentional. Other people could make their own minds up about that...I basically pulled (Ability's) jersey out of the hands of the head coach (Jones) at that point in time."

Going forward, Liburd will like to see referees do more to prevent such instances from reoccurring.

"No punches were thrown. It wasn't a brawl by any means. It's just that we would like the referees to do more to curb behaviour that could lead to confrontations or violent play or misconduct," Liburd said.

In March, then Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School coach Kern Cupid was given a three-game ban by the SSFL for shoving a Signal Hill Secondary player during a Big Five championship division playoff match. In the February 20 match in Tobago, Cupid took exception to taunting by Signal Hill defender Imanhi Forbes as he aggressively grabbed a hold of the players' jersey and shoved him to the side as the latter approached the Miracle Ministries technical area.

The incident sparked an angry reaction from Signal Hill players, some of whom charged towards Cupid and the Miracle Ministries bench before tempers were quelled.
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline asylumseeker

  • Moderator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 18206
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #36 on: October 01, 2024, 04:15:45 AM »
1. A question for the SSFL is: what are you doing as an organization to prevent spectator encroachment into what should be a restricted area?

2. I agree with KJ, much ado about nothing much. His sole "error" was to restrain escalation through holding the jersey in his hand. In situations like this, an extended flat palm is advisable. That stated, all of the footage tends to support KJ's narrative rather than LL's assertions. That Hazel was attempting to walk in the opposite direction is fanciful. His retreat in the direction of his bench was not occurring voluntarily.

3. Another question is: where was the referee? Did he ever arrive at the scene of the incident? Or is it a case of calling an ambulance to Blanchisseuse ... it will arrive after a noted delay?
« Last Edit: October 01, 2024, 04:21:41 AM by asylumseeker »

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #37 on: October 04, 2024, 01:03:19 PM »
'Tigers' gnaw at holders Fatima, 'Naps' hit Miracle Ministries for six
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)


REIGNING Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division champions Fatima College (16 points) suffered their first loss of the 2024 season on October 2 when they went under 2-1 to north zone intercol holders St Anthony's College (nine points) at the latter's compound in Westmoorings.

The "Tigers" took the lead largely against the run of play in the 23rd minute, when their bulldozing attacker Jean-Marc Thomas finished from close range after getting away with a push on Fatima defender Liam Gooding. No call was forthcoming from referee Nathalya Williams, and Thomas made no mistake with his finish past goalkeeper Shameal O'Brien to net his fourth goal of the season.

Before the end of the first half, O'Brien was called into an acrobatic save as he kept out a well-struck free kick from St Anthony's star winger Andell Fraser.

Fatima came close to an equaliser in the 49th minute as St Anthony's defender Obadiah Eyeadelroshyia inadvertently sent a header off his bar after a right side corner.

In the 66th minute, Fraser, a national under-20 player, had another clash with O'Brien when he uncorked a beauty of a shot from outside the area to beat the Fatima custodian and give the hosts a 2-0 lead.

Just three minutes later, the Hutson Charles-coached Fatima team got on the scoresheet, as their enterprising winger Jahaem Bailey scored with a cheeky backheel from close range after Davoure Thomas lost possession in the home team's defensive third.

Fatima were unable to muster a second goal, but they stayed atop the standings due to their +15 goal differential. St Anthony's moved from tenth to seventh with the win.

The second-placed St Benedict's College moved level with Fatima on 16 points as they got a narrow 1-0 win against San Juan North Secondary (nine points) at the Mahaica Sporting Complex, Point Fortin, with their talisman Josiah Ochoa scoring the lone goal of the game.

At Lewis Street, San Fernando, four-time premier division champs Naparima College (11 points) jumped to fourth when they hammered cellar-placed Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School by a 6-0 margin. Jabari Rodriguez, a player who helped Miracle Ministries clinch promotion to the premier division last season, scored a brace to hand his former school their sixth loss in the young season.

At the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, east zone intercol holders Arima North Secondary (11 points) maintained their unbeaten record when they played to a goalless draw with reigning intercol champs Presentation College San Fernando (13), who consolidated third spot on the table. Arima slipped one spot to fifth with their fifth drawn game of the campaign.

Fatima may have been on the losing side, but their neighbours East Mucurapo Secondary (six points) got their second win of the season when they edged Trinity College East (six points) by a 2-1 margin on Fatima grounds, Mucurapo.

In St Clair, Queen's Royal College (ten points) shrugged off the challenge of the visiting Malick Secondary (eight points) as they got a 2-0 victory at QRC grounds with goals from Stephon James and national youth player Jasai Theophilus. QRC moved three spots to sixth on the 16-team table.

Also in St Clair, St Mary's College (seven points) blanked the newly promoted St Augustine Secondary by a 2-0 margin thanks to goals by Joshua Chalerie and their ace forward Kyle Phillip.

Meanwhile, at Speyside recreation ground, the all-Tobago showdown between Speyside Secondary (four points) and Signal Hill Secondary (eight points) didn't go ahead as scheduled, as the match referee Keon Yorke reportedly left the venue due to the tardiness of the other match officials who arrived just ten minutes before the scheduled 4 pm kickoff.

SSFL premier division standings

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

Fatima*7*5*1*1*19*4*15*16

St Benedict's*6*5*1*0*9*3*6*16

Presentation (San Fernando)*6*4*1*1*10*3*7*13

Naparima*6*3*2*1*13*5*8*11

Arima North*7*2*5*0*10*3*7*11

QRC*7*3*1*3*9*7*2*10

St Anthony's College*5*3*0*2*11*6*5*9

San Juan North*7*3*0*4*11*11*0*9

Malick*7*2*2*3*13*13*0*8

Signal Hill*6*2*2*2*13*14*-1*8

St Mary's College*7*2*1*4*7*16*-9*7

Trinity East*7*2*0*5*12*15*-3*6

East Mucurapo*6*2*0*4*4*8*-4*6

Speyside*4*1*1*2*7*9*-2*4

St Augustine*5*1*1*3*4*11*-7*4

Miracle Ministries PHS*7*1*0*6*2*26*-24*3
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #38 on: October 06, 2024, 01:03:21 PM »
Carapichaima East continue push for SSFL central zone championship crown
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)


The race for places in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Big 5 championship playoffs are heating up, as several teams strengthened their cases with important wins in zonal championship action on October 4. In the central zone, Carapichaima East Secondary (18 points) continued their quest to return to the premier division when they whipped reigning central intercol champions Chaguanas North Secondary (15 points) by a 5-2 margin in a top-of-the-table clash at Balmain Recreation grounds, Couva to record a sixth straight win.

For Chaguanas North, it was their second defeat against the Carapichaima team this season after a 3-2 loss against their rivals last month.

Relegated from the premier division last season, Chaguanas North were in big trouble by the 35th minute, as "Caps East" ran out to a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Kamarli Wilson, Zion Thompson and Keon Kissoon. By the 48th minute, Carapichaima had a fourth goal which was scored by Jerel Charles.

Chaguanas North scored two second-half goals as they reduced the deficit to 4-2 by the 67th minute, but Wilson, who started the scoring for Caps East in the eighth minute, completed the five-star performance for his team when he scored the final goal of the game in second-half stoppage time.

In the east zone, El Dorado East Secondary and Hillview College (both 18 points) continue to fight for a Big 5 spot as they both recorded victories. At St George's College ground, Barataria, the first-placed "El Do" team came from behind to get a 4-2 win, with Nyron Dyer, Kanye Eastman and captain Janari Villafana among the goal scorers.

With three matches left for the top two teams, El Do head the six-team table due to their +25 goal differential. However, the second-placed Hillview bolstered their goal differential to +23 when they hammered Holy Cross College by an 8-0 margin. In a ruthless performance before their home fans in Tunapuna, Hillview romped to a 7-0 lead by halftime, with Jaylen Hinds registering a hat-trick and Jahmarley Ellis and Kemarley Pierre scoring two goals apiece. Ky'Mani Prieto rounded off the scoring for Hillview in the 85th minute.

Meanwhile, Scarborough Secondary (12 points) jumped to the top of the Tobago championship division when they got a 3-1 win over the fourth-placed Roxborough Secondary, with Amar Allie Baccas, Jayden Pope and Jervae Weekes scoring a goal apiece.

Bishop's High School (ten points) slipped from first spot to third when they fell to a 4-1 loss to Mason Hall Secondary (ten points), who were powered by a double from their star player Rickeldi Williams. Rensyl Sebro also got on the scoresheet for Mason Hall, who climbed from third to second on the five-team table.

Mason Hall and new table-toppers Scarborough have two games left, and Bishop's can still have a say in the race for the Big 5 championships playoffs as they have three games remaining.

The top teams in the five championship zones will contest the Big 5 playoffs, where the top three teams will gain promotion to the 2025 premier division season.
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #39 on: October 08, 2024, 05:27:53 AM »
St Benedict's beat Fatima 3-1 in Mahaica, go top of SSFL
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)


SECONDARY Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division holders Fatima College (16 points) were knocked from the top of the 2024 table on October 5 when they fell to a 3-1 loss to new leaders St Benedict's College (19 points) at the Mahaica Sporting Complex in Point Fortin.

A clash between the top two teams in the 2023 season, this encounter also saw the last two premier division winners going head-to-head, and it didn't disappoint.

Coming off a tight 2-1 defeat to St Anthony's College on October 2, Fatima opened the scoring through Micaiah Leach in the 30th minute.

However, the hosts were back on level terms before the end of the first half, as their enterprising attacker Derrel Garcia found the back of the net in the 42nd minute. The national youth player was back at it in the 59th minute when he converted from the penalty spot, before midfielder Ethan Trotman scored in the 80th minute to hand the north powerhouse a second straight loss.

Fatima slipped to second spot with the defeat, and they were joined on 16 points by national intercol holders Presentation College (San Fernando) who got a thumping 5-0 victory over the 15th-placed Speyside Secondary at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella.

Statistically with the meanest defence in the league, "Pres" shared the love at the other end of the pitch versus the Tobago outfit as five different players got on the scoresheet. Ace striker Caleb Boyce was one of the players to find the net, along with national under-20 defenders Cody Cooper and Duhrell Young.

On enemy territory in Bourg Mulatresse, Arima North Secondary (14 points) maintained their unbeaten run and climbed to fourth spot when they got a 2-1 win over San Juan North Secondary in a meeting between last season's east zone intercol finalists.

San Juan talisman Lindell Sween scored in the first half, but the "Dial Dynamos" had the last say with goals by Micha'el John and Jahmarley Caleb, who scored the winning goal in the 81st minute.

In Tobago, Queen's Royal College (13 points) continued their resurgence when they got a 2-1 victory over the newly promoted Signal Hill Secondary. Teshaun Frankyln got on the scoresheet for the Royalians who are now on a four-game unbeaten run after their surprise loss versus the cellar-placed Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School last month. QRC are now fifth on the 16-team table. In Westmoorings, St Anthony's (12 points) moved to sixth place when they got a 3-1 win over Miracle Ministries, with Andell Fraser, Joshua Miller and Davoure Thomas doing the business for the "Tigers".

In Mucurapo, St Mary's College (ten points) notched a second straight win as they blanked hosts East Mucurapo Secondary by a 1-0 margin courtesy a second-half goal from Kristian James. In the televised match, St Augustine Secondary (seven points) climbed out of the relegation zone when they got a 1-0 won over Trinity College East in Trincity, with Shumba Cudjoe scoring the game's lone item via a sweet volley in the 12th minute.

Elsewhere, the match between Malick Secondary and four-time premier division winners Naparima College was postponed due to a reported medical emergency for a member of the former team's technical staff.

SSFL premier division standings

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

St Benedict's*7*6*1*0*12*4*8*19

Fatima*8*5*1*2*20*7*13*16

Presentation (San Fernando)*7*5*1*1*15*3*12*16

Arima North*8*3*5*0*12*4*8*14

QRC*8*4*1*3*11*8*3*13

St Anthony's College*6*4*0*2*14*7*7*12

Naparima*6*3*2*1*13*5*8*11

St Mary's College*8*3*1*4*8*16*-8*10

San Juan North*8*3*0*5*11*12*-1*9

Malick*7*2*2*3*13*13*0*8

Signal Hill*7*2*2*3*14*16*-2*8

St Augustine*6*2*1*3*5*11*-6*7

Trinity East*8*2*0*6*12*16*-4*6

East Mucurapo*7*2*0*5*4*9*-5*6

Speyside*5*1*1*3*7*14*-7*4

Miracle Ministries PHS*8*1*0*7*3*29*-26*3
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #40 on: October 08, 2024, 03:41:05 PM »
Title-chasing St Benedict's go six points clear in SSFL top flight
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)


WITH seven games left in their 2024 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division campaign, St Benedict's College (22 points) strengthened their title aspirations on October 7 when they opened up a six-point lead at the league's summit with a comeback 2-1 victory over St Anthony's College (12 points) in a rescheduled game at the latter's compound in Westmoorings.

Winners of the premier division title in 2022, and runners-up to the second-placed Fatima College (16 points) last season, Benedict's have their eyes on a second league title in three years. Against the sixth-placed "Tigers," the "The La Romaine Lions" roared the loudest and their winning goal was fitting for the occasion as their striker and captain Derrel "Zum Zum" Garcia scored in the 52nd minute with a wicked right-footed shot from about 25 yards out.

After St Anthony's took the lead in the 18th minute through Mordecai Ford, Benedict's equalised in the 43rd minute when their impressive central midfielder Adam Pierre beat custodian Josiah Morris with a deflected free-kick effort.

Perhaps expecting Pierre to go for goal again as he stood over another set piece, the St Anthony's defence was caught off guard as the ball was slipped to Garcia who arrowed a bullet past Morris' despairing dive. It was a goal that mirrored Garcia's first item from his team's 3-1 win versus Fatima on October 5, and the national under-20 player's telling goal versus the Tigers could prove to be a decisive one in the title run-in.

"Saturday was a big win against Fatima. This is an even bigger win against St Anthony's because we had one day's rest for this game and the fellas had to dig even deeper," Benedict's coach Randolph Boyce told Newsday.

"The boys showed a lot of courage, a lot of determination and they knew what going six points (ahead) on the standings would do for us."

Two years ago, Benedict's clinched their first national league title since 1967 when they defeated Fatima by a 3-1 margin in the premier division final. And after being edged to the line by Fatima last season, Boyce reckons it's time for the southern powerhouse to return to the top.

"I would say it's like a redemption year, because the character of the team is a never-say-die character," he said. "The ambition of the unit is to win titles, to bring the institution back where it used to be...we keep embedding it in them."

In an end-to-end game that had more than enough to appease the neutrals, Garcia was an absolute terror down the left, with Pierre having a monster performance in the midfield with his timely interceptions and his ability to spring the counter-attack.

After going 2-1 up, Benedict's had ample chances to put daylight between themselves and St Anthony's in the second half, but their finishing left a lot to be desired.

In the 70th minute, Pierre drilled a long-range shot just wide, with right back Lyshaun Morris seeing a lobbed effort tipped wide by his namesake Josiah just three minutes later.

Though they looked the likelier team to add to their tally, Benedict's had their goalie Thane Devenish to thank for preserving all three points, as he spectacularly tipped a ferocious, point-blank effort from Jean-Marc Thomas onto the bar to keep the score at 2-1 in the 78th minute.

In the dying stages, Lyshaun and Garcia again came close for Benedict's, who also had central defender Sahrai Mitchell sent off in stoppage time for a second bookable offence.

Mitchell's sending-off was a minor blip in St Benedict's day at the office, though, as Boyce's team now have a decent cushion atop the 16-team table.

"We still have seven more games to play. And the way the league is going in my view, anybody could beat anybody on the day.

"We need to have consistency, we need to have discipline, we need to have the right attitude...we also have to know we cannot lose focus because we haven't reached there yet."

In the other rescheduled game on October 7, the newly promoted St Augustine Secondary (ten points) moved from 12th to eighth when they got a 2-1 win over the 15th-placed Speyside Secondary in Tobago.

Abraham Kirk and Elijah Baptiste scored the goals for the "Green Machine" who notched back-to-back wins after getting a 1-0 victory over Trinity College East on October 5.

SSFL premier division standings

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

St Benedict's*8*7*1*0*14*5*9*22

Fatima*8*5*1*2*20*7*13*16

Presentation (San Fernando)*7*5*1*1*15*3*12*16

Arima North*8*3*5*0*12*4*8*14

QRC*8*4*1*3*11*8*3*13

St Anthony's College*7*4*0*3*15*9*6*12

Naparima*6*3*2*1*13*5*8*11

St Augustine*7*3*1*3*7*12*-5*10

St Mary's College*8*3*1*4*8*16*-8*10

San Juan North*8*3*0*5*11*12*-1*9

Malick*7*2*2*3*13*13*0*8

Signal Hill*7*2*2*3*14*16*-2*8

Trinity East*8*2*0*6*12*16*-4*6

East Mucurapo*7*2*0*5*4*9*-5*6

Speyside*6*1*1*4*8*16*-8*4

Miracle Ministries PHS*8*1*0*7*3*29*-26*3
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #41 on: October 13, 2024, 11:51:49 AM »
St Benedict's stretch unbeaten SSFL run to ten games
By Sheldon Pierre (T&T Newsday)


TWO superb second-half strikes from skipper Derrel Garcia ensured that St Benedict's College extended their unbeaten run to ten games following a comfortable 2-0 victory against East Mucurapo Secondary in round ten of the Secondary School Football League on October 12 at the Queen's Royal College (QRC) Grounds, St Clair.

One minute before the hour mark with the game levelled at 0-0, Garcia slapped home from outside the box to give his team the 1-0 lead. Garcia received a beauty of a pass from Josiah Ochoa before volleying into the right bottom corner beating East Mucurapo goalkeeper Orlando Francis.

Garcia later sealed the 2-0 victory in the 80th minute with another thunderous strike from distance. Ochoa again was the provider with a through ball to Garcia, who connected perfectly to spank the ball in the top corner outfoxing a helpless goalie, Francis.

In the 90th minute, "Benedicts" were reduced to ten men as Ackeem James was given a straight red card for a challenge being the last man on defence. However, they were still able to avoid any further damage to win comprehensively 2-0 and extend their lead on top of the SSFL table.

After the match, Garcia said he dedicated his goals to a friend who passed away recently. He also admitted that his team started off the match slowly, but he was always confident that he would have scored in the match.

Presentation College San Fernando moved into the second position on the SSFL table following a 3-1 victory against Malick Secondary at the St Mary's Ground, St Clair. Playing at home, Fatima slipped to third spot, as they were held to a 2-2 draw against a stubborn Speyside Secondary who also drew against Naparima College in the previous round.

St Anthony's College's aim of reaching the top four was significantly boosted as they defeated Queen's Royal College 4-1.

St Anthony's had two players scoring a brace Mordecai Ford (37th, 60th) and Andell Fraser (54th, 60th) whilst Stephon James was the lone scorer for the Royalians. Also winning were Naparima College who etched out a 2-0 victory against St. Mary's College.

There were three matches that ended in 1-1 draws, Arima North Secondary and Trinity College East, St Augustine Secondary and San Juan North Secondary and Miracle Ministries and Signal Hill Secondary.
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #42 on: October 17, 2024, 09:15:49 AM »
St Benedict's crush St Augustine 6-0 to go ten straight
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)


SECONDARY Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division leaders St Benedict's College (31 points) notched their tenth straight win in the 2024 season on October 16 when they romped to a 6-0 win against St Augustine Secondary (14 points) at Mahaica Oval in Point Fortin to maintain their six-point lead on the 16-team table.

After tight wins over northern schools East Mucurapo Secondary (2-0), Queen's Royal College (2-1) and St Anthony's College (2-1), the 2022 premier division champs were in a rampant mood on home soil, scoring all six goals against the hapless St Augustine team in the first half. Once again, Benedict's were led by their impressive captain and forward Derrel "Zum Zum" Garcia who bagged a hat-trick to take his league tally to nine goals - all coming in the last five games.

T&T under-20 midfielder Josiah Ochoa also got on the scoresheet from the penalty spot, with Kylon Cayenne and Elijah David grabbing the other goals.

The second-placed Presentation College San Fernando (25 points) got a big victory on enemy territory as they downed St Anthony's College by a 3-1 margin in a meeting between last season's national intercol finalists.

Presentation copped the 2023 national intercol crown courtesy a penalty shootout win against the "Tigers," and they showed their mettle once again to get a precious three points in Westmoorings.

The "Pres Lions" did start the game on the back foot, as in-form St Anthony's forward Andell Fraser gave his team the lead in the 15th minute with a thumping right-footed shot into the top corner from a tight angle on the right side to net his seventh goal of the season.

Fraser and his teammates barely had time to celebrate, though, as the visitors responded less than 60 seconds later when their striker Caleb Boyce scored with an inadvertent scorpion kick in the six-year box after St Anthony's goalie Josiah Morris spilled a right-side cross from Nikosi Foncette. It was Boyce's eighth goal of the league campaign.

St Anthony's looked threatening with the pair of Jean-Marc Thomas and Fraser in attack, and they should have regained the lead in the 29th minute. However, with Marcelo Phillip's goal at his mercy, Fraser sent a low effort into the side netting after giving defender Cody Cooper the slip.

Instead, in the 35th minute, Presentation went 2-1 up when Vaughn Clement notched his first of two goals in the game - sliding a right-footed shot into the net from close range after an untidy scramble in the St Anthony's box.

The second-half couldn't quite match the intensity and end-to-end action from the first half, as a more scrappy encounter ensued.

In the 68th minute, Phillip was forced into an awkward, low save when he palmed away a long-distance effort from Davoure Thomas.

At the other end, Presentation's Isaiah Jacob saw a meaty hit just kept out by Morris in the 74th minute, before Clement got his name on the scoresheet for a second time two minutes later with a powerful penalty in the top corner to give the south giants a key win.

With coach Randolph Boyce's Benedict's team threatening to run away with the title, Presentation may be the only team capable of reining them in.

In Mucurapo, reigning champs Fatima College (23 points) consolidated third spot when they whipped Trinity College East (seven points) by a 4-1 margin - sending their opponents into the relegation zone in the process. T&T youth player Caden Trestrail scored a brace, with attacking midfielders Luke Correia and Jahaem Bailey scoring a goal apiece.

At Lewis Street, San Fernando, four-time premier division champions Naparima College (19 points) moved up to fourth spot despite being held to a 1-1 draw by QRC (14 points). The southern powerhouse school finished the game with ten men, though, as their goal scorer Israel Joseph was sent off in the 79th minute for violent conduct.

The inactive Arima North Secondary (18 points) slipped to fifth, as their fixture with the newly promoted Signal Hill Secondary (nine points) will be rescheduled to a later date.

On Serpentine Road, St Clair, St Mary's College (13 points) recorded a big 4-1 win over the underperforming San Juan North Secondary (ten points) who were dealt a seventh loss in the campaign.

Also in St Clair, Malick Secondary (14 points) moved from ninth to seventh when they got a 3-1 victory against Mucurapo, with Lyndell George, Tyrese Manswell and Omilio Millard scoring a goal each.

In Speyside, Tobago, hosts Speyside Secondary (nine points) moved out of the relegation zone as they got a crucial 3-1 win over the cellar-placed Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School (four points).

SSFL premier division standings

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

St Benedict's*11*10*1*0*24*6*18*31

Presentation (San Fernando)*10*8*1*1*26*6*20*25

Fatima*11*7*2*2*32*12*20*23

4.Naparima*10*5*4*1*21*9*12*19

5.Arima North*10*4*6*0*18*5*13*18

6.St Anthony's College*10*6*0*4*22*13*9*18

7.Malick*11*4*2*5*23*24*-1*14

8.QRC*11*4*2*5*14*15*-1*14

9.St Augustine*10*4*2*4*11*19*-8*14

10.St Mary's College*11*4*1*6*13*23*-10*13

11.San Juan North*11*3*1*7*15*21*-6*10

12.Signal Hill*9*2*3*4*17*23*-6*9

13.Speyside*9*2*3*4*14*20*-6*9

14.Trinity East*11*2*1*8*14*23*-9*7

15.East Mucurapo*10*2*0*8*5*17*-12*6

16.Miracle Ministries PHS*11*1*1*9*5*38*-33*4
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #43 on: October 23, 2024, 08:46:06 PM »
Lindell Sween bags brace as San Juan North down Speyside 3-0
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)


East zone powerhouse San Juan North Secondary (13 points) moved up two places to tenth on the 2024 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division table on October 22 when they got a commanding 3-0 win over Speyside Secondary at the former school's ground in Bourg Mulatresse.

After falling to a 2-0 defeat to the title-chasing Presentation College in their previous game on October 19, San Juan were eager to make amends.

San Juan's victory puts an end to a six-game winless streak and the result was secured in a fruitful ten-minute spell for the hosts which saw them scoring all three goals to kill off the Tobago school's challenge. San Juan playmaker and star player Lindell Sween stepped out to the occasion to snap his team's two-game losing skid, as he notched a brace with goals in the 27th and 36th minutes.

The 18-year-old Sween, who debuted for T&T's men's football team versus Guyana in friendly action in May, took his league tally to four goals.

The home team romped to their fourth win of the season, with lanky forward Jahdel Chase-Charles' goal sandwiched between the two items from Sween.

Speyside (nine points) remained in 13th spot on the 16-team table. And with just two points separating them from the relegation zone, Speyside will likely need a couple of favourable results in their remaining four matches to ensure their premier division status for the 2025 season. Starting with their next game against the 11th-placed St Mary's College, Speyside will hope to turn their fortunes around.
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #44 on: October 29, 2024, 11:49:10 AM »
'Pres' held by St Augustine, stumble in SSFL premier division title race
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)


SECONDARY Schools Football League (SSFL) national intercol holders Presentation College San Fernando (29 points) had a crucial slip in their chase for the 2024 SSFL premier division title on October 26 when they were held to a 1-1 draw by St Augustine Secondary (21 points) at the latter school's compound in St Augustine.

Playing in a rescheduled encounter, the "Pres Lions" had the chance to pull within four points of runaway leaders St Benedict's College (35 points) with a victory against the seventh-placed St Augustine.

However, the "Green Machine" proved to be a formidable opposition on their home turf, and the newly promoted school went to the halftime break with a 1-0 lead after a 41st-minute goal from Abraham Kirk.

Coming off a 2-0 loss to Benedict's in their previous game, Presentation just avoided a second straight defeat when Maliq Brathwaite netted in the 81st minute to earn them a share of the spoils.

With just two games left in the premier division season, though, Benedict's six-point advantage over the second-placed Fatima College and the third-placed Presentation (both 29 points) looks as good as gold.

In the other rescheduled encounter, four-time premier division champions Naparima College (22 points) had a bad day at the office when they were beaten 3-1 by north intercol holders St Anthony's College (24 points) at Lewis Street, San Fernando.

With a victory over reigning champs Fatima to their name earlier in the campaign, St Anthony's can be more than a handful on their day. In this rescheduled fixture, the "Westmoorings Tigers" were too much for Naparima to handle as they stormed out to a 2-0 lead by halftime.

Attackers Jean-Marc Thomas and the impressive Andell Fraser gave the Tigers their first-half cushion, with the latter scoring his eighth goal of the season.

Early in the second half, Naparima's fortunes worsened when their captain and top-scorer Israel Joseph was denied from the penalty spot by custodian Josiah Morris.

St Anthony's went 3-0 up when Mordecai Ford found the back of the net, with Naparima getting a late consolation through talented forward Akiel Vesprey.

With the win, the Tigers bypassed Naparima to move to fifth on the 16-team table and level on points with the unbeaten Arima North Secondary. "Naps" slipped one spot to sixth.


SSFL premier division standings

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

St Benedict's*13*11*2*0*27*7*20*35

Fatima*13*9*2*2*40*13*27*29

Presentation (San Fernando)*13*9*2*2*29*9*20*29

Arima North*12*6*6*0*22*6*16*24

St Anthony's College*13*8*0*5*27*16*11*24

Naparima*13*6*4*3*24*15*9*22

St Augustine*13*6*3*4*16*21*-5*21

Malick*13*5*2*6*27*28*-1*17

QRC*13*5*2*6*18*19*-1*17

San Juan North*13*4*1*8*18*23*-5*13

St Mary's College*13*4*1*8*14*27*-13*13

Signal Hill*11*2*4*5*18*25*-7*10

Trinity East*13*3*1*9*17*28*-11*10

Speyside*11*2*3*6*14*24*-10*9

Miracle Ministries PHS*13*2*1*10*8*41*-33*7

East Mucurapo*12*2*0*10*7*24*-17*6
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #45 on: October 29, 2024, 03:04:46 PM »
Questions raised over St Benedict's star footballer's eligibility
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)

ST BENEDICT'S College are just one point away from securing the 2024 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division title, but a shadow is being cast over their unbeaten season as league president Merere Gonzales confirmed the SSFL is looking into the eligibility of Benedict's star player Derrel Garcia.

The 17-year-old Garcia, Benedict's captain, leads all scorers in the current season with 11 goals and has put in a number of stellar performances in his team's 13-game unbeaten run. The point of contention is Garcia's re-entry at St Benedict's, as he had left for Spain during the 2023 premier season to take up an internship with CF Intercity's academy team. CF Intercity are in the third tier of Spanish football.

On October 28, Newsday contacted Gonzales to ask about the status of Garcia's eligibility, after online media outlet Wired868 reported that Garcia had played three games in the 2024 season before Ministry of Education officials reportedly found the player's first record of attendance at the school since June 2023.

The three games in question were all victories in Benedict's favour; 1-0 versus San Juan North on October 2, 3-1 over Fatima on October 5 and 2-1 versus St Anthony's College on October 7. This first record of attendance was reportedly on October 8.

Garcia's presence was felt immensely in the latter matches, as he scored twice against Fatima and also scored the eventual second-half winner against St Anthony's in Westmoorings.

"We're working with the Ministry of Education to address the matter. We're working on getting some responses," Gonzales told Newsday.

"We're collaborating with the ministry to ensure the public and the media is brought up to speed in a timely manner."

SSFL assistant secretary (administration) Gerald Elliot, who also serves as the south zone secretary, declined comment. However, to his knowledge, he indicated no formal protest had been made against Benedict's up to this point.

Newsday contacted Benedict's coach Randolph Boyce and team manager Ravi Ramgoolaam, but both men declined comment.

St Benedict's principal Gregory Quan Kep was also contacted.

Quan Kep said, "I've been advised not to say anything at this point in time. I really can't make any comment on it."

Last September, before Garcia journeyed to Spain, he helped Benedict's to the National Gas Company Super Cup as he scored a hat-trick in a 4-3 win over Fatima College. Garcia returned to T&T in February to represent the men's under-20 football team in Concacaf Championship qualifying at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

Several months later, Garcia, also known as "Zoom Zoom," was back in Benedict's colours and torturing defenders again as he aimed to be part of another premier division-winning Benedict's team. Garcia was a member of the Benedict's team which won the 2022 premier division title.

On the field of play, Garcia has been near unplayable. In a top-of-the-table clash with challengers Presentation College San Fernando (29 points) on October 23, Garcia scored a lovely solo goal to cap a 2-0 win.

Benedict's (35 points) have a six-point lead on the 16-team table with just two match days left. However, the "La Romaine Lions" could have an anxious wait to celebrate a title feat depending on the outcome of the SSFL's meetings with the Ministry of Education.
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Marcus868

  • Jr. Warrior
  • **
  • Posts: 79
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #46 on: October 30, 2024, 05:10:19 PM »
We as a nation have been known to only pick old players for our national team when they now have to fight to give what they may have had in their younger days, but I think right now under a coach with foresight and vision - young Derrel Garcia (zumzum) should be around the national team, especially for some friendlies etc. This boy is quite a talent (again another amazing Garcia  :D.)..... But again I mentioned a coach with foresight and vision... so back to reality, he could make a national team by the time he is 25  :waiting: :waiting:
[/quote]

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #47 on: November 04, 2024, 01:26:12 PM »
Five Rivers books spot in SSFL Girls 'Big Five' final
T&T Guardian


East Zone champions Five Rivers Secondary secured a 2-1 win over North Zone champion, St Joseph's Convent (Port-of-Spain) in their Secondary Schools Football League Girls "Big Five" semifinal at St Mary's College Ground, Serpentine Road, St Clair, Sunday (November 3).

For Five Rivers, yet to taste defeat after a perfect 10-0 win-loss zonal league run, national youth player Hackeema Goodridge and Moriah Matthews were both on target to cancel out Bethany Phillips' item for St Joseph's Convent.

Five Rivers now await the winner of the other semifinal between Signal Hill Secondary School, the Tobago Zone champion and South Zone winner, Pleasantville Secondary which was postponed from yesterday to a date and venue to be determined.

In the lone quarterfinal match last week, Zyesha Potts got the decisive item to lead Signal Hill Secondary past Central Zone champion Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School 1-0 at Signal Hill Secondary School Ground, Signal Hill, Tobago.

A new champion will be crowned in this year's SSFL "Big Five" competition after Scarborough Secondary, the winner of the past two titles, was dethroned as Tobago champion by Signal Hill Secondary. 

Sunday's SSFL Girls 'Big Five' semifinal

Five Rivers Sec 2 (Hackeema Goodridge, Moriah Matthews) vs St Joseph's Convent (PoS) 1 (Bethany Phillips)
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #48 on: November 04, 2024, 02:22:02 PM »
Trinity, 'Caps' East grab wins in SSFL Big 5 football
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday)


TRINITY College and Carapichaima East Secondary moved one step closer to earning promotion to the premiership division of the Secondary Schools Football League next season with victories in the Big 5 championship division on November 2.

Trinity defeated Scarborough Secondary 1-0 at the former's school compound in Moka, Maraval and "Caps" got the better of Hillview College 2-0 at the latter's home ground at Honeymoon Park, Tunapuna.

In Moka, an 83rd minute goal by Anton Joseph, younger brother of national footballer Che Benny, was enough to give Trinity the win. A few supporters of Scarborough, dressed in blue, tried to encourage their players but they could not find the equaliser.

Trinity are now in first place in the five-team round robin tournament with five points after three matches.

The top three teams will earn promotion to the premiership division next season.

Trinity were rewarded for their dominant second half showing. A ball was squared to Joseph and he slotted home from just inside the 18-yard box. After the match, Trinity coach Marlon Minguel told Newsday his players grew in confidence as the match progressed.

"The score was not really a total reflection of the whole game," Minguel said. "The first half we were a bit timid. We could have scored a few goals. The boys needed a little waking up at half-time and second half they really came out...although they (just) scored one, but the intensity that we came out with in the second half that was what was needed."

The Trinity players were in jubilant mood after the match ended as they were singing on their way to the pavilion.

Minguel said his team must start quickly in their next match against Pleasantville Secondary. "From the start of the game take the game to the opponent. We are a possession-based team and we have a nice attacking force and I think if we take the game from early to any opponent we will do well."

Two second half goals gave Carapichaima East a 2-0 victory. Kamali Wilson's thunderous strike in the 66th minute gave Carapichaima a 1-0 lead, before a penalty from Darion Boswell in stoppage time wrapped up the three points. "Caps" will fancy their chances of earning promotion as they now have four points from their first two matches.

Pleasantville Secondary were on a bye and did not feature on November 2.

The promoted teams will play in the 16-team premiership division in 2025, the top schools league in T&T.
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #49 on: November 09, 2024, 08:45:05 AM »
Naparima, Fatima cruise in Intercol zonal quarters
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday)


THE premiership division demonstrated their class when Coca Cola Intercol zonal quarterfinals were held on November 7.

It was an opportunity for the lower division schools to match their skills against some of best school teams in Trinidad and Tobago.

At the Naparima College school ground, Lewis Street, San Fernando, the home team defeated Pt Fortin East Secondary by a resounding 18-0 margin in the south zone.

Israel Joseph was the star of the day netting six goals to lead the charge. Jabari Richardson also was not shy in front of goal with four goals, national Under-14 captain Adasa Richardson bagged a hat-trick and Xarion France found the back of the net twice. Scoring one each were Jerrel Cooper, T&T Under-14 vice-captain Sebastian James and Akiel Vesprey.

Staying in that zone, Presentation College, San Fernando cruised to a 7-0 victory over Ste Madeleine Secondary at Manny Ramjohn Stadium.

There were also one-sided matches in the north zone.

Fatima College crushed Mucurapo West Secondary 11-1 at St Anthony's College ground in Westmoorings. Michael Chaves led Fatima with a hat-trick. The other players to score for Fatima were Luke Correia (two goals), Jedaiah King (two goals), Matthew Barrington (one), Liam Gooding (one), Jaheem Bailey (one) and Isaiah Fernandes (one).

While Fatima were running up the score in Westmoorings, St Anthony's eased to a 5-1 victory over Trinity College at the Queen's Royal College ground in St Clair.

In the east zone, Arima North Secondary got past Holy Cross College 3-0 at the Arima Velodrome to continue the perfect record for the premiership schools on the day.

There were two matches where premiership teams were not involved. In Tobago, Mason Hall defeated Bishop's High School 4-1 at Shaw Park.

In the central zone, Presentation, Chaguanas edged Carapichaima West Secondary 3-2 and the former's school ground.

November 8 fixtures:

Central zone

Carapichaima East vs Couva East, Couva East, 3.30 pm

Chaguanas North vs Couva West, Edinburgh 500, 3.30 pm

East zone

San Juan North vs Valencia, Arima Velodrome, 3.30 pm

St Augustine vs El Dorado East, Arima Velodrome, 5.30 pm

North zone

Malick vs St Mary's, Fatima, 3.30 pm

QRC vs East Mucurapo, St Mary's, 3.30 pm

South zone

Pleasantville vs Rio Claro West, Manny Ramjohn Stadium, 3.30 pm

St Benedict's vs Siparia West, Mahaica Oval, 3.30 pm
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #50 on: November 09, 2024, 02:27:42 PM »
St Benedict's faces SSFL disciplinary hearing over Garcia's status
T&T Guardian


As reported by the Guardian newspaper on November 5, 2024, St Benedict's College is at risk of being stripped of several points and goals over the registration status of star striker Derrel Garcia during the 2024 season of the Secondary School Football League (SSFL) during the Premiership Division programme.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) wrote the SSFL following its request for information about Garcia's bona fide status with St Benedict's College, just before St Benedict's College won the title with 41 points after an unbeaten run that saw drew two matches from the 15 the school contested, six more than the 2023 champion Fatima and Presentation Colleges.

Guardian Media Sports understands that the MOE conducted an investigation last month that involved both the acting principal Gregory Quan Kep and the acting vice principal Haymatee Jaleel, and the findings were shared with the SSFL.

According to the MOE investigation, the following were revealed:
  • Derrel Garcia was assigned to St Benedict's College through the SEA 2021 placement and registered at the school on September 14, 2021;
  • Garcia's parents requested study leave from August 2023 to May 2024 for him to proceed on a football scholarship;
  • For the academic year September 2023 to July 2024, he was absent for the entire period;
  • On September 25, 2024, the parents of Derrel Garcia wrote requesting his reinstatement;
  • Derrel Garcia resumed attendance at St Benedict's College on October 8, 2024, verified by the Attendance Register at the school.

Based on the above, the SSFL via a press release said that its Disciplinary Committee will meet on Thursday to decide on Garcia's registration status.

Based on the findings of the MOE, St Benedict's College faces being deducted nine points and six goals for the matches on October 2 in which St Benedict's defeated San Juan Secondary 1-0, on October 5, when St Benedict's whipped Fatima College, 3-1 and on October 7 a rescheduled fixture which St Benedict's also won against St Anthony's, 2-1. He did not score against San Juan but scored twice against Fatima at Mahaica Oval in Point Fortin and once against St Anthony's in Westmoorings.

For a student-athlete to participate in the SSFL that student and the school must comply with Article 16 of the school rules as outlined by the Ministry of Education.

SSFL Article 16 Criteria for Registration states: Before students can be accepted by the League to be registered as players to represent any team playing in the League the following criteria must be fulfilled: (1) Students must be duly registered, according to the existing rules and regulations of the Ministry of Education and on the official roll of the school presenting the team. These students must attend classes at that school during normal school hours.

The penalty for infringement of the above is suspension of the school from further competition in the division for the remainder of the season.

Last month, the SSFL wrote to the MOE about Garcia's student eligibility status for 2023/2024 in keeping with its criteria for registration after rumours were swirling around that he was not attending school because he was one of several young talented footballers from Trinidad and Tobago who were enrolled in a football internship programme at an academy in Spain in 2023/2024, and his status at St Benedict's College for this academic term is in doubt.

While St Augustine Secondary was penalised because of a protest by Signal Hill Secondary, no school protested St Benedict's College use of Garcia, however, the public concerns raised was enough for the SSFL general secretary Azaad Mohammed-Khan, who is also chairman of the Credential Committee to write the Ministry of Education to confirm if Garcia was a bona fide student of St Benedict's College.

Garcia, who is now in Form Four, was not in school for all of Form Three and did not feature in any of St Benedict's first five matches played on September 11, 14, 18, 21, and 28 2024. However, the match against St Anthony's on September 25 was rescheduled to October 7.

Garcia, who scored in almost all of the nine matches he played in October and is the leading contender for the League's Golden Boots Award with 17 goals, is also facing having his goal-tally reduced to 14.

The SSFL disciplinary committee will have no choice but to strip St Benedict's of nine points and nine goals which means Fatima College will move from 35 points to 38 and will be crowned the 2024 champions. San Juan will also improve its position on the standings.

Current SSFL Boys Premier Division standings

Pld Teams P W D L F A Pts

1 St Benedict's 15 13 2 0 36 7 41

2 Fatima 15 11 2 2 46 14 35

3 Presentation 15 11 2 2 33 10 35

4 St Anthony's 15 10 0 5 36 20 30

5 Arima North 14 6 6 2 24 11 24

6 Naparima 15 6 4 5 26 19 22

7 QRC 15 6 3 6 22 21 21

8 Malick 15 6 2 7 30 32 20

9 San Juan North 15 6 1 8 24 28 19

10 Signal Hill 14 5 3 6 22 26 16

11 St Mary's 15 5 1 9 17 29 16

12 St Augustine 15 4 3 8 11 32 15

13 Trinity East 15 4 1 10 19 29 13

14 Speyside 14 3 3 8 19 30 12

15 East Mucurapo 14 3 0 11 10 25 9

16 Miracle Ministries 15 2 1 12 8 51 7
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #51 on: November 10, 2024, 07:55:16 AM »
Garcia's brace leads St Benedict's past Siparia West
T&T Guardian


Derrel Garcia continued to grab the headlines in this year's Secondary Schools Football League when he got both goals to lead St Benedict's College to a 2-0 win over Siparia West Secondary in their South Zone Coca-Cola Intercol quarterfinal at Mahaica Sporting Complex, Point Fortin, Friday.

Also yesterday, the SSFL general secretary Azaad Mohammed-Khan issued a statement to the media surrounding Garcia's bona fide status at St Benedict's College which stated that the matter has been referred to the Disciplinary Committee of the league, which will meet on Thursday, November 14 at 10 am with their credentials as league champions under question along with any possible further sanctions inclusive of being thrown out of the rest of this year's SSFL competitions.

However, Garcia seemed to not let the off-field issues be of bother as he scored both items to steer St Benedict's College to a semifinal date on Friday, November 15 at Point Fortin with Pleasantville Secondary, who hammered Rio Claro West Secondary 5-0 at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, powered by a hat-trick from Jelani Richards, and one each from Enesio Williams and Ahjahidi Noray.

In the Central Zone quarterfinals, Carapichaima East Secondary won by default from Couva East Secondary and will come up against Chaguanas North Secondary in the semifinals on Monday at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, after the latter got a goal each from Israel Outar, Negaste Moore, and Jeremiah Villafana to shut out Couva West Secondary at Edinburgh 500 Recreation Ground, Chaguanas.

Up North, Malick Secondary blanked St Mary's College 2-0 with a goal each from Ronaldinho Richards, and Josante Duncan at Fatima College Ground, Mucurapo Road and will next face Fatima College on Thursday in the final four.

Also yesterday, Queen's Royal College got a goal each from Jasai Theophilus, and Phillip Gray in a 2-1 win over East Mucurapo Secondary at St Mary's College Ground, St Clair with Jalane Brown on target for the losers.

In the first match of the East Zone quarterfinals double-header, national senior team player Lindell Sween helped himself to a hat-trick in leading San Juan North Secondary to a 6-0 romp over Valencia Secondary.

The trio of Jadiel Joseph, Jahdel Chase-Charles and Jaheshua Ferguson added the others for San Juan North who will meet the winners of last night's second match between St Augustine Secondary and El Dorado East Secondary in Wednesday's semifinals.

Friday's SSFL Coca-Cola Boys Inter-Col results

Zonal Quarterfinals:


CENTRAL:
Carapichaima East 3 vs Couva East 0 - by default
Chaguanas North 3 (Israel Outar, Negaste Moore, Jeremiah Villafana) vs Couva West 0

EAST:
San Juan North 6 (Lindell Sween 3, Jadiel Joseph, Jahdel Chase-Charles Jaheshua Ferguson) vs Valencia 0
St Augustine 2 vs El Dorado East 2. El Do won 4-3 on penalty kicks.

NORTH:
Malick 2 (Ronaldinho Richards, Josante Duncan) vs St Mary's College 0
Queen's Royal College 2 (Jasai Theophilus, Phillip Gray) vs East Mucurapo 1 (Jalane Brown)

SOUTH:
Pleasantville 5 (Jelani Richards 3, Enesio Williams, Ahjahidi Noray) vs Rio Claro West 0
St Benedict's College 2 (Derrell Garcia 2) vs Siparia West Sec 0

Yesterday's matches:

TOBAGO: At Shaw Park Sports Complex, Scarborough
Scarborough Sec vs Roxborough Sec, 2 pm
Speyside Sec vs Pentecostal L&L, 4 pm
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #52 on: November 13, 2024, 05:53:56 AM »
Miracle Ministries thump 'Pres' Chaguanas 5-0, into Central Zone final
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday)


MIRACLE Ministries cruised into the final of the Coca-Cola Intercol Central zone with a thumping 5-0 win over Presentation College Chaguanas at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on November 11.

Miracle Ministries had a tough campaign in the Secondary Schools Football League premiership division earlier this season, getting relegated after finishing in the bottom three in the 16-team table.

Aaron Clement, Keon Codrington and Terriq Thomas were on target for Miracle on the day.

Clement and Codrington both scored a brace and Thomas netted once to give Miracle Ministries the commanding win.

For the opening goal, Presentation players thought the ball went past the goal line but the whistle they hoped for never came and the play continued which led to a goal.

At halftime, Miracle Ministries were already in a commanding position as they were leading 3-0.

Two more goals in the second half made it 5-0 as Miracle sealed a place in the Central zone final.

Miracle were the superior team, but Presentation showed fight until the end.

It was a clean contest as referee David Scarlett did not hand out any cards. In the second Central zone semifinal match at the same venue, Chaguanas North Secondary defeated Carapichaima East Secondary 3-1 on penalties. It was 0-0 after full-time.

The final will be held on November 18.
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #53 on: November 13, 2024, 06:13:17 AM »
Signal Hill, Scarborough into Tobago zone Intercol final
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday)


SIGNAL Hill Secondary and Scarborough Secondary will meet in the Coca-Cola Intercol Tobago zone final.

In the first match of a Tobago zone semifinal double header on November 12 at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Signal Hill were rewarded for their dominance with a 2-0 win over Bishop's High School. Signal Hill were expected to win the match after playing in the premiership division this season, the top division in schools football.

Signal Hill continually put pressure on the Bishop's goal, but the latter's defence held firm. It was not until the 87th minute when Signal Hill broke the deadlock as Bishop's scored an own goal.

Deep into stoppage time, Signal Hill doubled the lead as Israel Trim's low, powerful strike made it 2-0. It was almost the final kick of the game.

The match had many delays in play, as players fell to the ground due to injuries.

The second match in the other Tobago zone between Speyside High School and Scarborough Secondary was decided from the penalty spot after a 2-2 draw. Scarborough scored a free kick in the final seconds to force penalties.

Scarborough, with all the momentum going into the shootout, advanced to the final with a 4-3 win. The Tobago zone final will be played on November 20 at Dwight Yorke Stadium at 5.30 pm.

On November 13, the East zone Intercol semifinals will be played. Arima North Secondary and Trinity College East will battle from 3.30 pm at Arima Velodrome. At the same venue, San Juan North Secondary will tackle El Dorado East Secondary from 5.30 pm.

November 13 fixtures:

East zone


Arima North Secondary vs Trinity College East, Arima Velodrome, 3.30 pm

San Juan North Secondary vs El Dorado East, Arima Velodrome, 5.30 pm
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #54 on: November 14, 2024, 04:49:17 PM »
San Juan North, Trinity East advance to East zone Intercol final
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)


East zone powerhouse San Juan North Secondary and Trinity College East advanced to the East zone Intercol final in the 2024 Coca-Cola Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) season with contrasting semifinal wins at the Arima Velodrome on November 13.

In the first game of the double-header, Arima North Secondary were stunned when they lost 5-4 on sudden-death penalties to Trinity after a goalless stalemate through 90 minutes.

Arima, the 2023 East zone Intercol champions, couldn't find their winning touch from the spot as Trinity emerged victorious to break a 3-3 penalty deadlock to setup a rematch of the 2022 East zone Intercol final with San Juan.

The boys from "Bourg Mulatresse" were in a ruthless mood in their encounter with championship division team El Dorado East Secondary as they romped to a 5-0 victory.

Striker Jahdel Chase-Charles and national Under-20 playmaker Lindell Sween scored two goals apiece, with Jaheem Danclar scoring the other goal with a precise header in first-half stoppage-time.

The lanky Chase-Charles opened the scoring in the 16th minute, with Man of the Match Sween making it 2-0 two minutes later. Sween, a dangerous left-footer at his best, made it 3-0 in the 28th minute before Danclar's item gave San Juan a resounding 4-0 lead at halftime.

Chase-Charles was played through on goal in the 66th minute, only to be denied by a point-blank save. In the 81st minute, Chase-Charles bagged his second goal of the game, though, when he tapped into an empty net after a goalbound effort was stopped by the "El Do" goalkeeper.

For San Juan, it's yet another trip to the final, and they will be eager to regain their stranglehold on the East zone Intercol trophy after finishing runners-up to Trinity and Arima in 2022 and 2023 respectively.

In the 2022 East zone Intercol final, San Juan were undone by a lone item from former national youth attacker Jaheim Faustin in a slender 1-0 loss.

From 5.30 pm at the Velodrome venue on November 20, coach Jerry Moe and his Bourg team will try to defy the boys from Trinity East.
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Deeks

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 18747
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #55 on: November 14, 2024, 10:19:39 PM »
QRC beat St. Anthony's 1-0. They will meet Fatima in the north final.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #56 on: November 15, 2024, 02:14:24 PM »
The price of victory: How eligibility issues could cost St Benedict's College the SSFL title
By Colin Murray (T&T Guardian)


The Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) has long been a cornerstone of Trinbagonian football, nurturing young talent and captivating the nation. The SSFL undoubtedly remains the most popular football league in the country. As a proud alumnus of Fatima College, I've always held a deep affection for the SSFL, as it is a league that has produced countless talented players and provided endless hours of excitement for passionate students and alumni across the nation. 

As a player, coach, and now commentator, I've witnessed numerous thrilling matches, celebrated victories, endured heartbreaking defeats, and experienced the highs and lows and the triumphs and tragedies that make the SSFL so captivating. Naturally, I get riled up when I see the league embroiled in a scandal or controversy, especially if I believe it could have been avoided.

Historically, the SSFL has faced the occasional question mark over player eligibility, where the legitimacy of a bona fide student comes into question.

However, I have always known the physical education teacher, or 'Games Master' in the not-so-old days, together with the principal, to deal with these matters efficiently and resolve them within a day or two. The school must ensure the student is registered with the Ministry of Education (MOE), and therefore he/she can register with the SSFL to represent the school for the season.

It seems straightforward without too many complications, but if you have 15 schools with 25 students registered to play football for each school, you have 375 students that the MOE must go through to ensure they are registered. Is that the job of the MOE or the SSFL once all their registrations come in to ensure all the students are bona fide students of the school and can therefore represent the school? 

This brings me to the matter of the day, Derrel 'Zoom Zoom' Garcia's eligibility issue that is grabbing all the headlines, rather than praising this talented individual for scoring 17 goals and his school for winning the championship. The crux of the issue is that Garcia was registered at St. Benedict's College in September 2021 following his S.E.A. exams.

He missed the entire 2023-2024 academic year from September 2023 to July 2024 while he pursued a football scholarship in Spain.

Garcia's parents requested and received approved study leave for him during this time. On 30th August 2024, the St Benedict's College principal submitted Garcia's registration form for the SSFL, indicating that Derrel was a bona fide full-time student of St Benedict's College.

There is a rule that exists that states students must be formally reinstated after a term or more away from school. On 25th September 2024, the parents of Garcia wrote to the School requesting his reinstatement, and Garcia resumed attendance at St. Benedict's College on 8th October 2024, as verified from the attendance register at the school. During the period from 25th September to 8th October, Garcia played in three SSFL matches before he resumed attendance at St. Benedict's College. 

The SSFL Constitution, under the procedure for registration, states that students must be duly registered according to the existing rules and regulations of the MOE and on the official attendance register of the school presenting the team. These students must attend classes at that school during normal school hours. The MOE has provided information that Garcia does not meet all, if any, of these criteria.

The question is, did Garcia's parents' letter to the school on September 25, 2024, requesting reinstatement suffice to make Garcia a bona fide student, or is it that Garcia only became a bona fide student when he first attended school on October 8, 2024? The potential penalty of infringement for the violation of that rule in the Constitution is a suspension of the school from further competition in the division for the remainder of the season, but correct me if I am wrong, isn't the season over? 

The SSFL has referred Garcia's matter to its disciplinary committee for a ruling today (Thursday, November 14, 2024) where potentially the 2024 Premier Division Champions could be decided. The timing of the investigation, unusually initiated without a formal protest after the conclusion of the season, has further added fuel to the fire. The charges against Garcia may very well be true and authenticated, but the SSFL executive has bizarrely waited until the end of the season to now refer the matter to its disciplinary committee for a ruling that would decide the fate of the 2024 Premiership. The potential penalties, including point deductions, the stripping of the title, or even the school's right to remain in the competition, have far-reaching implications for St. Benedict's College. Such a severe punishment raises questions about the proportionality of the offence and the impact on the young athletes involved. 

I am hearing from sources that the most likely outcome is that St. Benedict's College will be deducted 9 points, which would place them in third position behind Presentation College San Fernando, which would then hand Fatima College the title on goal difference. While I would love nothing more than to see Fatima College lift the trophy, I cannot condone a victory that comes under such dubious circumstances. That is not how I would want to win the league. St. Benedict's College was the best-playing team and defeated all of their closest rivals. 'Zoom Zoom' was absolute magic. What a player he is! If he works hard, he has a bright future. In the end, I am hopeful good sense can prevail, and even if points have to be deducted, why not apply that penalty at the start of next season in 2025? We see that happen in the English Premier League, where a team starts a new season with minus points for a breach of rules.

It's important to note that this situation is not the fault of Garcia himself, or the talented young St. Benedict's players who have worked tirelessly throughout the season, or the dedicated students and alumni who have supported their team throughout. They should not be punished for the actions or inactions of a few individuals. However, the rules are in place for a reason, and they must be adhered to. I am not sure why all of this with young Garcia happened at the end of the league. It is obvious that somebody out there does not want the best-playing football school to win the league, and something like this should never happen again as both the SSFL and MOE must get their house in order. They must work together to establish a more robust and transparent eligibility verification process. This could involve stricter documentation requirements, regular audits, and even third-party verification. Additionally, the league should consider implementing a timely dispute resolution mechanism to address eligibility concerns promptly. 

In closing, let me welcome Dwight Yorke, the new T&T senior national head coach, and wish him all success in his new role. Yorke will be well supported by the Trinidad & Tobago Football Association (TTFA) as he has a huge task ahead of him. As fans, let's rally behind Yorke and his team as they embark on their journey to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Under his guidance and with the country's support, the Soca Warriors can once again make their mark on the global stage. Today, the TTFA officially welcomes Yorke in his new role at the Ato Boldon Stadium. Good luck, Dwight!
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Fyzoman

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 2197
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #57 on: November 22, 2024, 05:33:21 PM »
YouTube algo just throw the Naps v Benedicts game at me!

Disjointed football, but I here.

No ball boys though, fellas have to retrieve balls themselves😀
"Practice is the best of all instructors"

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #58 on: December 21, 2024, 05:10:13 PM »
SSFL Big 5 playoffs to resume on January 9
By Roneil Walcott (T&T Newsday)


The 2024 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Big 5 championship playoffs will resume on January 9.

The playoffs, which will determine the three championship teams to be promoted to the premier division for the 2025 season, was originally scheduled to be completed this month.

However, on November 29, SSFL officials were thrown a curve-ball when the playoff match between Scarborough Secondary and Pleasantville Secondary at Shaw Park in Tobago was called off in the 70th minute after a power outage at the venue. Pleasantville and Scarborough bring up the rear of the five-team playoff table on one point apiece.

On December 20, a release from the SSFL indicated the match between Pleasantville and Scarborough will be replayed on January 9 from 3.30 pm at either Shaw Park or the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, Tobago. This fixture aside, there is still another round of playoff action outstanding.

In the final round of matches, Pleasantville are scheduled to take on Trinity College Moka, with playoff leaders Carapichaima East Secondary scheduled to meet Scarborough. At this point, no venues or dates have been assigned for the two matches in the final round.

Central zone championship division winners Carapichaima (five points) currently head the standings by virtue of a superior goal difference to Trinity and Hillview College, who also have five points. Hillview have already played their quota of matches.

SSFL boys championship division Big 5 playoffs:

Teams*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

Carapichaima East*3*1*2*0*4*2*2*5

Trinity Moka*3*1*2*0*3*2*1*5

Hillview College*4*1*2*1*4*4*0*5

Scarborough Secondary*2*0*1*1*2*3*-1*1

Pleasantville Secondary*2*0*1*1*0*2*-2*1
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25650
    • View Profile
Re: 2024 SSFL Thread
« Reply #59 on: December 26, 2024, 10:42:35 AM »
An Arima story of decline and revival
By Garth Wattley (T&T Express)


AS football coach of Arima North Secondary, there are many stories that Wayne Sheppard tells.

One is about a trip to drop one of his players home after practice. The drop-off having been completed, Sheppard proceeds to complete a full turn in the crescent he is in, only to be stopped by the frantic youngster who warns him about going further. Why? Because one side of the crescent is warring with the other side. The coach wisely reverses.

Then there is Sheppard’s first day at training with his new team back in 2019. Players keep dropping out of a running drill. “When I started asking,” he says, “this one ain’t eat since yesterday breakfast —two eggs.”

More than once as he relates what the last five years have been like coaching at the East Trinidad school, Sheppard uses the expression, “two different planets.”

Having come from the West at Fatima College where he went to school, played his football and then later coached, operating at the institution from the eastern borough has brought home the different worlds in which young people on these islands exist.

But as the sun always rises over the horizon in the East, Sheppard has also seen brighter days at Arima North since that eye-opening training session—on and off the field.

Arima North today

Existing in virtual oblivion since the first season of the Premier Division in 2014, Arima North returned to the top tier of the Secondary Schools Football League in 2023. And they have let everyone in the SSFL know that the once well-respected “Dial Dynamos” are back in business.

Last year, Arima completed their first season in the rebranded Premier Division by finishing sixth out of 16 teams. As a bonus, they also won the East Zone InterCol title before losing on spot kicks to eventual champions Presentation College San Fernando in the national semi-finals.

This season, Arima lost their East InterCol title but improved on their league position, finishing fifth, despite what coach Sheppard described as “one of the worst pre-seasons I have ever had.”

Not at the moment blessed with talents like “Strike Squad” 1989 World Cup qualifying hero Kerry Jamerson or the legendary Colleges League goalscorer Timothy Haynes, who netted 39 times in the 1985 season in which he won the then-Arima Senior Comprehensive the East Zone league and InterCol titles; Arima North are today being built on more than just natural ability and flair.

Basing his approach on the structure he left at Fatima under technical director Hayden Martin, Sheppard went with a vision of how he wanted his teams to play. And he has assembled a staff that has bought into that vision. They include manager Lasana Liburd and assistant coaches Dexter Thornhill and Lyndon Emmons.

Besides the senior team, Sheppard has also found himself having to coach all the school’s teams at the lower levels. Arima North had no under-16 side when he went there. That has since been put in place as Sheppard tries to develop a way of playing that filters from the under-14 level right to the top.

“We have a distinct style of play that is totally different to what the rest of Trinidad is saying...The players understand how we want to play,” coach Sheppy says with both confidence and satisfaction.

The results have been there to show.

While Arima “only” won the East Zone Under-16 and Senior Division knockout titles this season, they got to every zonal final, losing three only on spot kicks. In 2023, they won seven of eight titles they competed for in their zone.

How change came

The turnaround has been as much about the players as the coaches.

While playing the football has been the main focus, Sheppard and his staff have also been strong on discipline and education. Boys can no longer show up for practice without coming to school also. And participating.

“The standard we set was that the boys had to attend class regularly; they had to be disciplined, they had to put the effort in and we saw that everybody’s grades went up,” relates manager Liburd. He adds: “By year two, there were teachers actually offering us students; students who were not too disciplined, because they realised that there was a level of control because of football.”

Both coach and manager stress that the primary goal for their Arima North project is to produce student athletes who can get athletic scholarships like some already have, like Akiel Henry.

Lessons

“It shows with the right guidance and structure in place, you could really get boys to flourish and you could really make an impact on them,” says Liburd.

And he sights as an example the growth of Criston ‘Cj” Gomez, rejected at national Under-14 level but now a standout in the T&T Under-17 team.

“He would be an example of a boy who had all the tools but was a ‘sweater’ in a sense. He needed to understand (certain things) because he is a very bright boy in terms of football IQ..,He just needed an environment to really help him to bring his talent out. He got that I think within our programme.”

Sheppard makes this point about nurturing by way of his “two planets” comparison.

“I have gotten way more respect from these kids in Arima than I have ever gotten from Fatima,” he says, explaining that, “the boy In Fatima in general, has everything, and has the support; that (if) this doh work, I have this and I have that. The boy in Arima is growing up nine out of ten times in a single parent home; is growing up in an environment where when I look around for models, the coach might be the first positive male model I’m interacting with, and my teacher.”

He adds: “The boys very simple in terms of, once they realise that you are for them, that you are being fair...(once) they realise you are telling them something for their benefit, they there for you.”

Impact of football programme

The transformation of the football programme has not gone unnoticed by the rest of the school population, or indeed, the wider Arima community.

“You see it,” says Sheppard. The children are proud to be Arima...When we won the East Zone InterCol (2023), we had an assembly in the school and you just saw a difference. When you walk around the school there is a difference.”

Liburd tells another of the many stories that makes the point further.

“I think it was in year two (of the Sheppard tenure). Every year the school has to do a beautification project, and they (the students) on their own came with a Dial Dynamos sign into the school which would have been one sign for sure that the students were excited about what we were doing.” Dial Dynamos is the football team’s nickname.

As for the wider community, some from the borough, some notable ones, have put their hands in their pockets to help the team in times of need.

Liburd says when they had no money to travel and arrange affairs for their trip to Mahaica Oval, Point Fortin for last year’s national InterCol semi-final, “It was Penny Beckles (current government minister), Neil Parsanlal (former minister) and (the late junior minister and former mayor) Lisa Morris-Julian who saved us that day...They paid for us to get a PTSC coach and lunch.”

Sheppard, who does his work for no pay admits: “If I could stay and coach Arima...and just deal with the players, I would stay there until I can’t do this coaching thing anymore.” But he also acknowledges that for the Arima North project to have further success and eventually reach all its targets, greater monetary support is required.

“You have to have some sort of association that isn’t just of lip service; that is active in fund-raising. You need to have financial backing.”

But even if the lip service continues, it would be a surprise if Sheppard did not continue working on his poor man’s budget.

The “diamonds” he is discovering in the Arima soil are just too precious to discard.
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.