'El Do' stop 'Green Machine' for East lead

Shaquille Bertrand doubled up in "El Do's" early first half burst at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar, and that proved enough to secure the win despite second half pressure from the "Green Machine".

Full points for the "Blue Thunder", combined with previous leaders' Arima North Secondary's 1-1 draw at San Juan North Secondary, gave El Dorado a two-point lead atop the standings, as they stand on ten points.

Bertrand first hit net after five minutes, and then again after 12, taking advantage of sloppy defending and questionable goalkeeping from Kwinsi Williams. Those mistakes were costly as St Augustine lacked the punch up front to turn their brave fightback into a comeback.

Just a few minutes in, an unmarked Bertrand had his team in front as he headed in a long ball from midfield from the penalty spot, with Williams quick off his line, but mistiming his challenge.

If coach Michael Grayson was upset about his team letting in that chance, he would have been furious over the next goal.

Again, Williams came out to get the lob into the area and got a piece of the ball, but assisting defender Lincoln Burns unintentionally deflected the ball back into the path of a free Bertrand, and he tucked home from close range.

Things got worse for "Gustine" eight minutes later, when Akeem Garcia earned an early trip to the showers for using obscene language after the referee blew for an infringement.

Still, St Augustine found their fight halfway through the period. But they went in at the break 2-0 down after failing to score a number of chances.

Ricardo John missed a few close looks at goal, none better than a header from six metres that he forced wide. Nicholas Marcano and Gerard Melony put free kicks just overbar, while Marcano forced "El Do" goalie Hakeem Lucas to tip over.

The St Augustine dominance continued after the restart, but the result was the same. Burns shot wide, missed a couple of crosses, and found Lucas from mere metres away. And Shannon Gomez, on the left wing, gave El Dorado defenders a hard time, but could not find an ally to finish.

St Augustine pulled a goal back in the 75th minute, Triston Hodge converting from the penalty spot after Ricaldo Castellano had been hauled down in the El Dorado penalty area by Mikal Primus.

Still, St Augustine's finishing never matched their second half energy, and they were left ruing more wasted opportunities at the final whistle.

El Dorado will know they were less than convincing in defence yesterday, but they will certainly be happy for the East lead.

Yesterday's Results

North Zone

Fatima 1 vs St Anthony's 1

QRC 1 (Cousian Elcock 80th) vs East Mucurapo 2 (Kadeem Hutchinson 27th, Akil Campbell 6th)

Diego Martin North 1 vs Trinity 0

East Zone

El Do West 1 vs Toco 0

El Do East 2 (Shaquille Bertrand 5th & 12th) vs St Augustine 1 (Triston Hodge (P) 75th)

San Juan North 1 vs Arima North 1

Central Zone

Carapichaima East 9 (Shaquille Holder 4, Joshua Eneau 2, Kern Alexis, Kadeem Boyce, own goal) vs Presentation 0

Couva West 0 vs Tabaquite 1

Chaguanas 0 vs Gasparillo 6

South Zone

Shiva Boys 4 vs Moruga 1

Pleasantville 0 vs St Benedict's 2 (Kyle Celestine, Dillon Joseph)

Naparima 3 vs Princes Town 1

Tobago Zone

Mason Hall 1 vs Signal Hill 1

Speyside vs Roxborough (postponed)

EL Do East edge ‘Gustine’
By JONATHAN RAMNANANSINGH (Newsday).

El Dorado East climbed to the top of the East Zone standings when they secured a close 2-1 win over St Augustine as the BG TT/ First Citizens Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) continued throughout the twin-island republic yesterday.

The victory puts the boys in blue now top the table on 10pts.

Meanwhile, San Juan North and Arima North Secondary both gained one point after they concluded yesterday’s proceedings with a 1-1 score- line. Anoel Andrew (San Juan) opened the scoring in the 32nd minute but had his goal equalled with a goal-bound strike from Jamol Francis (Arima) in the 69th.

Previously, Arima and San Juan were tied with El Do East on seven pts.

El Dorado West also recorded their first 2012/ 2013 win when they scraped past Toco Secondary 1-0. Brian Deverteuil’s early seventh minute goal was just enough to seal the three points.

Meanwhile, SSFL title holders and North Zone leaders St Anthony’s were held 1-1 by current zonal runners-up Fatima College. This is the first time for the season that the champions have been held.

The “Tigers” remain atop the standings on 11pts while Fatima are on eight. Mucurapo East joined Fatima in the runner-up spot as they defeated Queen’s Royal College 2-1.

The victors were previously on five pts but now sit with Fatima on eight. Diego Martin North Secondary also secured their first SSFL win for the season with a 1-0 result over Trinity College. Keston Frederick had to wait 70 minutes to write his name on the scoresheet for Diego Martin. Diego now sit in fourth spot in the standings while Trinity remain in fifth position.

In Central, Carapichaima East cemented their reign atop the table as they added another three points to their overall tally. Now standing at 10pts, “Caps” gave the Presentation College (Chaguanas) squad a football lesson as they bagged nine goals against a goalless “Pres” team.

Additionally, Chaguanas North remain in third spot (four pts) after a 6-0 drubbing of Gasparillo Composite. Tabaquite Secondary also clocked their first win of the tournament when they beat Couva West Secondary 1-0.

St Benedict’s College also recorded a significant 2-0 win over Pleasantville Secondary. Goals from Kyle Celestine and Dylan Joseph ensured that the “Southern Lions” bagged another crucial victory. Shiva Boys maintained their runner-up position on the table when they blew past pointless Moruga Secondary 4-1.

Up to press time yesterday, Naparima College held a comfortable 2-0 lead over Princes Town Secondary. Goals were bagged by Nicholas Dillon (44’) and Jabari Mitchell (53’).

In Tobago, Signal Hill joined Scarborough and Speyside at the top of the table when they scraped a 1-1 draw against Mason Hall yesterday. The clash between Speyside and Roxborough was unavoidably cancelled.