They were trounced soundly.
Nevertheless, the "Green Machine" still managed to steam their way to a 5-0 whipping of their opponents as "Gustine" kept their zonal championship aspirations on course at the Marvin Lee Stadium yesterday.
They are undefeated to date and are on 23 points, six points clear of the second-placed San Juan with a game in hand.
But that British Gas Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) match yesterday was characterised by frail defending on Hillview's part more than anything else in a game where small but vocal support for both schools was present.
The opening period was a lesson in how not to withstand attacking pressure.
Hillview seemed more intimidated by the Gustine reputation this season than their actual play on the day.
From the onset, their midfield was sorely absent, retreating so deep that at certain stages, there were as many as eight Hillview players lined across the top of their penalty box. That situation, coupled with the guile and speed of Gustine strikers Shastri Spencer and Lorenzo King, made for utter disorganisation in the Hillview backline.
It was underlined when five Hillview players got tangled in each other's way trying to close down Spencer, Hillview only getting off the hook when King-found perceptively by a Spencer square-shot overbars.
Spencer and King were guilty of missing the mark, muffing shots on open goal after easily by-passing Hillview defenders , either by skill, will or the defence's own spills.
The chaotic Hillview defence had initially allowed Gustine's winger John Stewart free rein down to the byline. But the truth be told, keeper Francois mishandling, a fumble that spilled free, was what King took advantage of to send his side up 1-0 after seven minutes.
Francois, however, made amends with as many as seven saves to Gustine shots seemingly destined to goal afterward.
But the fact that he had to contort and stretch his body extraordinarily throughout the match was symptomatic of the lack of protection, the lanky goalkeeper got from his teammates in front of him.
And so it was that Gustine midfielder Devon Maxwell, hit a rebound home after Francois had done terrifically to save his first effort on half an hour.
After breaching the Hillview backline once more St Augustine captain blasted the third goal off the upright, before Spencer finally found his range following many straying shots in the dying minutes.
For lagniappe, substitute Peters squeezed in a corner from Stewart.
But for Hillview, Gustine's generous waste and Francois safe hands made for a less ridiculous scoreline.
THE TEAMS
ST AUGUSTINE: Nigel Parris (gk), Jesse Martinez, Joel Williams, Stephan Pierre, Shurlan Sorrillo, Matthew Ramirez (capt), Elton John, Devon Maxwell, Jophn Stewart, Shastri Spencer, Lorenzo King. Subs-Jason Edwards, Randy Joseph, Al Davbidson, Kevon Hall, Trevel Mansano, Aaron Peters, Marlon Whitehall
HILLVIEW: Bevon Francois (gk), Kerron Lambert, Kerron Francois, Stefan George, Fernando Thomas (capt), Kevin Lewis, Curt Austin, Kendell Knights, Keon Lyons, Richards Odinga, Yohanse Matamoro. Subs-Ricardo Alleyne, Gerrard Thorpe, Kevon Knights, Christopher Gallan, Keagan Rampersad, Kelon Rampersad,Carlisle Mitchell.
17