Presentation College San Fernando and St Anthony’s College were off to flying starts, when the Premier Division of the Secondary Schools Football League kicked off yesterday.
A beaver-trick from Caleb Boyce highlighted Presentation’s 6-0 victory over division new boys Miracle Ministries at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, while the Tigers from St Anthony’s also hit six at old rivals St Mary’s College.
There were also opening day wins for San Juan North Secondary over Queen’s Royal College (2-1) and Naparima College over East Mucurapo Secondary (2-0), but defending champions Fatima College, did not get onto the pitch as their match against St Augustine Secondary was called off because of a waterlogged surface, in St Augustine.
Meanwhile, St Benedict’s College could not manage a single goal against Arima North Secondary at the Arima Velodrome. It was a match in which the home team, the Dial Dynamos, had more possession, but strong defence by both teams held sway, so much so that Arima defender Christon Gomez was named Man-of-the-Match. Very little happened and very few troubling moments were created for either goalkeeper. Both coaches had strong excuses. “The team (we played) today, was a total Under-16 team,” stated Randolph Boyce, head coach of St Benedict’s, who pointed a finger at administrative delays for his senior players not yet being able to play.
“We knew we would be solid at the back, solid in the middle,” Boyce said. “As the tournament proceeds, we will get stronger.”
Arima head coach Wayne Sheppard pointed to an interrupted pre-season, and one of his key play-makers having an off day, for the lack of sparkle.
“We are playing catch-up because a number of our players did not come out to pre-season training,” Sheppard admitted, while further explaining that some chose to play in a youth competition rather than prepare for the coming schools season. Sheppard spoke of yesterday’s match, being attritional rather than stylish.
“I thought this was a hard-fought game. I think we could have come out with three points but I feel if you talk to Boyce, he might say the same,” Sheppard said.
Yesterday’s scores
Arima North 0 St Benedict’s 0
Presentation Sando 6 (Caleb Boyce 4, Isaiah Jacob, Duhrell Young) Miracle Ministries 0
San Juan North 2 (Jadiel Joseph, Michel Baptiste) QRC 1 (Stephon James)
Speyside 2 (Daviel Thomas, Riquelme Phillips) Malick 2
Naparima 2 (Akiel Vespry, Donovan Drayton) Mucurapo 0
St Mary’s 0 St Anthony’s 6 (Jaeden Bobb 2, Jean-Marc Thomas 2, Terique Theobald, Rondell Harewood)
St Augustine Fatima (match postponed because of waterlogged field)
Today’s match
Trinity East vs Signal Hill, Trincity
SOURCE: T&T Express
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