The Secondary Schools Football League will see new National Intercol champions this season.
Fatima College ensured the St Anthony's College "Tigers" would not repeat their 2004 feat when they conquered their opponents by a 4-2 scoreline in an exciting contest yesterday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium to move on to the North Zone final of the 2005 RBTT Intercol competition.
Fatima did not get off to the greatest of starts, as, although the contest was even in the first half, they fell behind in the 24th minute. Lester Peltier deceived two defenders to work his way into the Fatima penalty area and passed to Stefan St Louis. He calmly controlled and slotted past Adrian Foncette in the Fatima goal.
But Fatima's response was swift and decisive, as they levelled the scores rather fortuitously, Makesi Lewis striking for goal on the right. With St Anthony's 'keeper Bevon Francois committed to his dive, the ball took a deflection and headed to his left and into the goal.
In the 38th, Fatima took the lead. Lewis was again involved as his shot from beyond the 18-metre area was blocked at a defender, only to drop at the feet of Devon Morris, who slammed home from the right to make it 2-1.
In the second half, The Tigers started better, but were denied thanks to two fine saves from Foncette. At the other end, Francois was not so lucky, as Chad De Freitas was allowed room, and blasted a Marvin James cross into the roof of his net in the 63rd.
Solid left-back Brendon Boucaud then cleared an Emmanuel Joseph shot off the line, but could do nothing to stop Lewis in the 79th, as he received a delicate long ball with time and space. He side-stepped the advancing Francois and slotted home at the far post.
St Anthony's struck back six minutes from time when Manuel Rezende headed past Foncette from a corner. But that was of little consequence to St Anthony's Mucurapo Road opponents, who had additional reason to celebrate a spot in the North final at the final whistle. They had eliminated the Tigers, the three-time defending champions from the National InterCol for the first time in four years.
In the second matrch of the doubleheader last evening, Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive earned the right to meet Fatima when they beat Malick Secondary Comprehensive 4-0.
Scores
Fatima 4 St Anthony's 2
Mucurapo 4 Malick 0
17