Febeau hit to SKHY, Devin Seales deal for Malabar, Gio’s bitter taste of Ginga; Trincity stay unbeaten

Meanwhile, Trincity Nationals remained perfect in both the Under-13 and Under-15 divisions, although their day was sullied somewhat due to a broken hand suffered by Hirshil Parks in their tense 2-1 victory over Crown Trace’s Under-13 outfit.

Trincity snatched the winner against Crown Trace in the 53rd minute of the hour-long affair, as attacker Zion Chariandy tucked away from close range after goalkeeper Jordan Neaves failed to convincingly deal with a right side free kick from Keshon Charles.

Charles’ ears were ringing all game as coach Shanelle Warrick constant stream of bellowed instructions seemed to centre around ‘Charlo’. The tidy midfielder had a hand in Trincity’s first goal too, as his 17th minute corner was perfectly met by Tyrese Ironside to put them ahead.

However, after the game, focus quickly shifted to the injured Parks.

“Hirshil got a tackle and I believe he landed badly, and he fell and broke the hand,” Warrick told Wired868. “When Hirshil got injured I saw that a few of my players were shaken up. But I had to tell them reboot and let’s go again. And I think they got the victory for him.”

‘Charlo’, Chariandy and their teammates certainly answered Warrick’s call, and their next task is to pray for the speedy recovery of their ‘soldier’ Parks. On the playing field, Warrick hopes they can emulate their 2018 Under-14 team which won the National title.

“The overall goal is to win out the RBYL in the Under-13 and Under-15 divisions,” said Warrick. “We are the last year champs in the [Under-14s] so we are hoping the Under-13s can join them this year.

“The Under-13s have a goal to accomplish and for the Under-15s it’s even harder because they are the defending champs and everyone will come to beat them.”

Trincity’s Under-13 game was tense in every sense of the word. However, their Under-15 ‘contest’—if it could be called that—with Diem Sporting Academy was as lopsided as they come. Both Jkwan De Bique and Christian Walker helped themselves to a couple of goals as they hammered Diem 8-0.

Trincity Nationals have now scored ten unanswered goals in this year’s Under-15 division.

Diem fared far better in the Under-11 division though, as they showed grit and determination in an exciting 1-1 draw with Extreme LH. It was Diem’s first point of 2019 and they got it in some style, as Kenroy Burgin arrowed a wicked, low free kick into the far corner in the final minute of the encounter—after seven year-old attacker Eli-Akim Nelson was bundled over outside the area.

Just seconds before, the Extreme LH players and fans were jubilant as Oneil Dyer’s left-footed strike looked likely to give them their third straight win. However, Burgin had other ideas, and his superb set piece sent parents scampering along the sidelines in wild celebrations.

Diem coach Bernard Garcia did not join in the frantic celebrations, but he could not hide the elation from his face.

“Yes it was a nail-biter. We lost the first two games and this is the first result we got,” Garcia told Wired868, as he smiled from ear to ear.

On 6 April, Diem suffered a heavy 10-nil defeat at the feet of SKHY, who racked up their third straight victory on the weekend with a 6-nil drubbing of Febeau Government Primary School.

All and sundry are looking up to SKHY in the Under-11 Division at the moment, as the boys in yellow have racked up 20 goals without any response.

Diem have altogether different aspirations at present and, despite being short one player against Extreme LH on Saturday, they dug deep to get their first result.

“The effort was really good. The guys really stuck together,” Garcia said. “It was about keeping them together and getting them to play for another and that’s what they did today.”

And what about the tiny Nelson? He could almost fit into one of the defenders back pocket. Garcia told Wired868 that size doesn’t matter.

“These are more like our Under-8s, 9s and 10s who are playing in this Under-11 tournament,” Garcia said. “Nelson is 7 years-old. We give all the players exposure. Once we realise that they can handle the physicality of the game, size and age isn’t going to be an issue.”

Another Garcia—Giovanni—certainly showed that size wasn’t an issue in the Under-11 Division, as the diminutive Matura number ten bagged a hat-trick in their thrilling 3-3 tie with Ginga.

‘Gio’, as he was called by his dad and teammates, started the game with a bang, scoring twice inside the first five minutes.

However, Ginga, who are unbeaten after three games in the division showed their mettle as goals by Zwade Alleyne, Mecki Clarke and Ky-mani Hazel brought them level at three apiece by the 40th minute.

Still, a determined Gio almost had the last say for Matura with a dangerous set piece in the penultimate minute of the 50-minute encounter. Hacked to the ground by a couple Ginga defenders, well outside the area, Gio dusted himself off, grabbed the ball and took about ten paces backwards as he lined up the free kick.

The run up resembled the prelude of an Alzarri Joseph or Oshane Thomas delivery, and Gio’s focus was intense. The Matura player strode to the ball and spanked an audacious left-footer off the woodwork; and his teammate Valiant Lewis failed to live up to his name, as he somehow put the rebound over bar from close range.

Gio left the field in tears, as the result, coupled with the alleged rude words of an opponent, left him visibly distraught.

In other Under-11 results, Malabar Young Stars edged out Crown Trace 3-2 thanks to a second half double by Renaldo Noreiga, while Maracas United defeated the San Juan Jabloteh 1-0 courtesy a strike on the half hour mark by Zade Castillo.

Jabloteh, perennial powerhouses at youth level, are having a tough time thus far this year, with their defeat to Maracas coming on the heels of a 3-1 defeat to Extreme LH on 6 April.

While Jabloteh are already a household name across the country—arguably even across the region—Ginga are trying to establish their own reputation and leave a good taste in spectators’ mouths at the same time.

The RBYL newcomers suffered a 4-1 defeat against Matura in the Under-13 division and trail table-toppers Trincity and FC Santa Rosa—who are both on six points. However, in the Under-15 Division, Ginga are adding much flavour, as they racked up two consecutive wins.

On 6 April, Ginga edged out Rosa, 2017 National Under-15 champions, by a 2-1 margin. And on Saturday, they showed that victory was no fluke as they trounced Cooper’s Coaching Academy 6-0.

Kyle Waldron was the chief architect of Ginga’s success with a hat-trick while Ronaldo Rogers and Malique Gould also helped give opposing goalkeeper Randon Baptiste a torrid time between the sticks.

Malabar joined Trincity and Ginga on six points in the Under-15 Division, as they outclassed SKHY in the second half of their encounter to emerge 3-1 victors.

Malabar attacker Devin Seales grabbed a double with goals in the 47th minute and second half stoppage time. Seales’ first item was particularly pleasing on the eye as he tricked his way past a SKHY defender on the left side of the area before thumping past goalkeeper Michael Bassarath from a tight angle.

SKHY—bar their midfielder Darion Marfan—looked void of ideas in the second half. Marfan, sporting an unmistakable afro, was a cut above his teammates, and seemed to glide past opponents in twos and threes.

Marfan grabbed a deserved but bizarre goal too in the 52nd minute, as his free kick from near the half line comically bounced over the Malabar goalie and settled in the back of the net.

Try as he might, Marfan couldn’t create further uncertainty with his left foot, as Devin’s late effort sealed the contest.

Malabar have their work cut out for them in a tight Under-15 group though, as they have played one more game than both Ginga and Trincity, and the ‘Big Cannons’ of Santa Rosa are certain to come back in fiery mood after the Easter break.

RBYL East Zone Results (Saturday 13 April)

[All games played at Constantine Park, Macoya]

Under-11

SKHY FC 6 (Cordell Edwards, Isaiah Morris, Joshua Miguel, Kimanni Baldwin, Nathan Thomas), Febeau Government Primary 0;

Extreme LH 1 (Oneil Dyer 48), Diem Sporting Academy 1 (Kenroy Burgin 49);

Crown Trace 2 (Kerron George 30, Kesawn Charles 49), Malabar Young Stars 3 (Deshawn Headley 22, Renaldo Noreiga 34,38);

San Juan Jabloteh 0, Maracas United 1 (Zade Castillo 30);

Matura Re United 3 (Giovanni Garcia 1, 4, 33), FC Ginga 3 (Zwade Alleyne 9, Mecki Clarke 32, Ky-mani Hazel 40);

Pizza Hut Round MVP: Giovanni Garcia (Matura Utd)

Under-13 

Crown Trace 1 (J Edwards), Trincity Nationals 2 (Tyrese Ironside 17, Zion Chariandy 53);

FC Ginga 1 (Isiah Neptune 52), Matura Re United 4 (Jequan Brown 17, 60, Khaleel Campbell 23, Anderson Isaac 48);

FC Santa Rosa 1 (Kadeem Lansiquot 38), Express FC;

Holiday Snacks Round MVP:  Daynel Wolfe (Express FC/goalkeeper)

Under-15

Trincity Nationals 8 (Omari Flanders 9, Jkwan De Bique 18, 34, Christian Walker 35, 52, Riley Hill 49, Keshawn Lashley 69, Caleb Hill 70), Diem Sporting Academy 0;

Cooper’s Coaching Academy 0, FC Ginga 6 (Kyle Waldron 7, 18, 62, Ronaldo Rogers 34, Malique Gould 51, Amari Phillips own goal 55);

Malabar Young Stars 3 (Andrew Income 38, Devin Seales 47, 70), SKHY FC 1 (Darion Marfan 52);

Pizza Hut Round MVP: Kyle Waldron (FC Ginga)

South Zone 

Under-11

Moruga FC 4 (Jayden Lopez 4, Jordan Julien 12, 35, Anderson Julien), Uprising Youths 1 (Akeil Vesprey);

Brickhouse Sports 3 (Riley Dhalai 15, Mikhail Bullock 29, Josiah Simmons 32), Princes Town SF 1 (Dario Walkes);

Marabella Family CC 1 (Gianluca Bauley 31), Gasparillo Youths 0;

Pt Fortin Youth SA 5 (Tsean Simon 12, Andel Gabriel 15, 20, Mickhiye Alexis 29, OG 40), San Fernando SA 0;

Under-13

Giving Back SC 6 (OG 1, Akeal Neverson 23, Israel Mascall 26, Tyrel Alexander 32, 50, Asa Peters 57), Tiny Mikes FC 1 (Cedric Charles);

Pt Fortin Youth SA 1 (Joshua Alexander 4), Uprising Youths 0;

Darius Coaching School 1 (Justin Charles 3), San Fernando SA 2 (Soshillo Niles 6, Bryce Nero 57);

Moruga FC 1 (Joshua Eccles 39), Princes Town SF 1 (Tyrique Williams 19);

Under-15

Moruga FC 2 (Santana Smith 2, Tyrique Lucas 31), Mayo Youths 0;

Ste Madeleine Strikers 4 (Donavaughn Lucas 25, Jah-malee Barclay 55, Jabarie Forbes 61, 65), Gasparillo Youths 1 (Ricardo Williams 28),

Dunstan Williams SA 3*, IBG Academy 0;

*—Game awarded by default

North Zone 

Under-11

T&T Maestros 8 (Jediah David 5, 22, 23, 29, Darell Phillip 10, 14, 28, 34), Trendsetter Hawks ‘II’ 0;

Laventille Utd 3 (Rodney Pattron 16, Gershom Chase, Kymani Bain 40), Excelente FA 0;

Rosary Boys FC 1 (Jaydon Joseph), Trendsetter Hawks ‘I’ 3 (Malcolm Young [2], OG);

Football Factory 1 (Deron Blackman 33), Laventille Utd 0;

Pro Series 7 (Jasai Theophilous 6, 11, Zain Griffith 12, Hashim Portillo 13, 16, Blaine Popwell 19, Dakari St Hillaire 33), North Coast SCC 0;

QPCC 3 (Caden Trestral 5, 10, Lucas Simon-Thompson 48), Santa Cruz Utd 1 (Isaiah Audain 8.)

Pizza Hut Round MVP: Hashim Portillo (Pro Series)

Under-13

Trendsetter Hawks ‘I’ 4 (Zion Harley 20, Kyle Williams 30, Isaiah Thomas 55, Ryan Radellant 60), St Mary’s College 1 (Nigel Clarke 47);

QPCC 2 (Christian Moses 52, Saul Rojas 60), Empire FC 1 (Josiah Fernandes);

Trendsetter Hawks ‘II’ 3 (Marcus Young 24, 58, Micaiah Thomas 28), T&T Maestros 0;

Holiday Snacks Round MVP: Isaiah David (T&T Maestros)

Under-15

RSSR 6 (Jasiah Isaac [2], Zair Samuel, Nada Baird, Khufu Mohammed, Khalil Cain), T&T Maestros 0;

St Mary’s College 2 (Jace Callender, OG), Trendsetter Hawks ‘II’ 1 (Kenton King)

Laventille Utd 2 (Cory Smith 25, Joel Grant 54), North Coast SCC 2 (Abraham Kirk 15, Josiah Ross 29);

Trendsetter Hawks ‘I’ 5 (Christian Calder 13, 40, 44, Theo Crovador 42, Akeil Auguste 55), QPCC 0;

Pizza Hut Round MVP: Abraham Kirk (North Coast)

Elite Under-17

Trendsetter Hawks 3 (Kahim Thomas 8, 17, Jude-Anthony Johnson 78), Jaric Titans 0;

Prisons FC 1 (Jaheim Denis 46), Marabella Family CC 1 (Jesiah Thomas);

Petit Valley/Diego Martin Utd 3 (Khesu Mitchell 30, OG 39, Kaeil George 55), Giving Back FC 1 (Trevon Augustine 67).