Presentation College San Fernando secured a berth into the Coca-Cola National InterCol semifinal following a 1–0 win over Signal Hill at an electric Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, Tobago, yesterday.
Shackiel Henry’s 67th minute strike was enough to place the South team into the last four, after a credible performance in front of a much larger Signal Hill support. Chances were few and far between in the first half. It was 0–0 at the break, with Presentation having the slight edge in possession and chances.
The “home” team, Signal Hill, showed signs of nervousness, and found it difficult in either half, to string passes together for a promising attack. The Signal Hill players could barely find their feet, despite the calls from the crowd, urging the team on.
Presentation finally got the breakthrough when Henry, the team’s leading goal-scorer, collected a clever pass and dribbled past two defenders, before finishing clinically past Learie McKenzie in goal for Signal Hill. The goal put the defending InterCol champions, Signal Hill under immense pressure with just 20 minutes remaining. Despite trailing, Signal Hill was barely able to test the Presentation defence.
Presentation claimed second place in the South Zone behind Shiva Boys. “Pres” reached to the final following a 4–0 rout over Shiva. Henry was on target in that fixture also. Najja Forbes, J’van Pontislet and Angel Williams scored the other goals. Signal Hill came from a 2–1 deficit against Scarborough to win 3–2 in dramatic fashion. But, it was not their day, as the challengers from South proved too much.
The Tobago team can, however, boast of successive Tobago InterCol titles and a league win. The win put Presentation into the second semifinal against North InterCol champions St Anthony’s College.
The two teams will convene at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Wrightson Road from 4 pm on Friday. On Thursday, Arima North (East Zone) will take on Carapichaima East Secondary (Central Zone) in the first semifinal, at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima from 4 pm. The final will take place next Tuesday.
Results (Monday)
North Zone Final
St Anthony’s 0 vs East Mucurapo 0
- St Anthony’s advance 5–3 on penalty kicks
Tuesday
InterCol Quarterfinal
Presentation College San Fernando 1 (Shackiel Henry 67th) vs Signal Hill 0
Fixtures (Tomorrow)
Arima North vs Carapichaima East, Larry Gomes Stadium- 4 pm
St Anthony’s vs Presentation S/Do, Hasely Crawford Stadium- 4 pm
National Final- Tuesday
16