Signal Hill Secondary School signalled a stern warning to its competitors in the Premiership Division of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Wednesday afternoon with a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Trinity College East in Trincity on their return to the SSFL's top-flight competition.
Striker Kyle James led the way for the Tobagonians with a hat-trick which came after Deisean Plaza fired the Arouca lads ahead in the 33rd minute. James notched the equaliser a minute later in the 34th minute and then pushed them ahead in the 41st minute, 2-1.
James was an influential figure for his team clinching the Tobago Boys' Championship Division title last year and then their eventual third-place finish in the Big Five Play-Off which secured their promotion to this year's Premiership Division.
But yesterday, he was asked to lead the way in his team's greatest test in recent times, having not played in the SSFL's top-flight competition since 2017.
After closing off the first half with two items that led the Tobagonians to the half-time interval in a position of ascendancy, James pushed his team's advantage to 3-1 with his third goal of the game in the 50th minute.
The game appeared to have been done and dusted until Dexter Croal breathed some life back into his team in Arouca, by finding the nets in the 70th minute for a 3-2 scoreline. Having finished the season in the eighth position last year, the Trinity College East lads may count this one as a point that they let slip.
Meanwhile, Signal Hill coach Downie Marcelle said he was particularly happy for his players who had been rewarded for their hard work over the past couple of years.
"We have not been to the top-flight Premier Division since 2017, so the players really worked hard last year, winning the Championship Division, and then finishing third in the Big Five Play-Offs. But yesterday, we were placed in a noisy cafeteria for two hours, where we could do absolutely nothing. We could not even concentrate, but I told the guys to use this experience to strengthen themselves on the field and they did just that," Marcelle said.
Asked if he was concerned when the home team went ahead, Marcelle said, "No, I was not because I have confidence in my players. In fact, any time we step onto a football field, we go to win."
The Tobagonians will next face San Juan North, the 2023 East InterCol winner on Saturday at home. Marcelle said he is expecting a tough contest from the San Juan unit but being at home, he intends to make it work for them.
Saturday's matches (Start time 3.30 pm)
Arima North vs St Augustine, Arima Velodrome
Fatima College vs Miracle Ministries, Fatima Ground
Queen's Royal College vs Presentation San Fernando, QRC Ground
Signal Hill vs San Juan North, Signal Hill Ground
Speyside Secondary vs St Benedict's College, Speyside Recreational Ground
St Anthony's College vs East Mucurapo, St Anthony's Ground
St Mary's College vs Malick Secondary, St. Mary's Ground
Trinity College East vs Naparima College, Trinity Ground
SOURCE: T&T Guardian
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