JOSIAH OCHOA’S lone goal saw St Benedict’s College win their South derby 1-0 over Naparima College at Mahaica Oval, propelling them to the top of the Secondary School Football League (SSFL) Premier Division after four rounds of matches.
Naparima and Presentation College San Fernando both tasted defeat for the first time in the league this season, after Fatima also won 2-0 over “Pres” at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium.
Unbeaten St Benedict’s lead the table with ten points from four matches, followed by Arima North and Malick Secondary, both tied on eight points, while defending champions Fatima moved up to join Naparima on seven points, but have played a match less.
There were also first victories of the season for newly-promoted Miracle Ministries and St Augustine Secondary, 1-0 over Queen’s Royal and St Anthony’s College respectively. Trinity East also stopped San Juan North Secondary 2-1, for a first win of the season as well.
Meanwhile, Malick Secondary led 1-0 through Josante Duncan at the Arima Velodrome, before the home team, Arima North Secondary, pulled level to draw the top-of the table clash 1-1, following which Malick head coach Anthony Bartholomew said he was not shocked that his team was among the top three sides.
“I am not surprised at all,” stated Bartholomew, “I expect to finish one, two, or three. I know the quality we have, and we will be coming at them.”
At Serpentine Road, former national striker Cornell Glen saw St Mary’s College weather an early storm, and with some luck came away with a 2-2 draw against Signal Hill.
Glen was on the bench for the first time after replacing former coach Michael Grayson, who stepped aside in midweek.
The Tobagonians were ahead after just four minutes, when Khaleem Trim struck from long distance. The home team could have been down three goals in the opening five minutes, had Antonio Hopkins put away two very good chances instead of hitting the side-netting.
Having survived, St Mary were level just after the half hour mark through their captain Kyle Phillip, who found the far corner with a tame but accurate shot, when cutting in from wide-left.
Undaunted, Signal Hill could have still gone in ahead at the half, with Trim hitting the post, and Kyle James shooting into the side-netting.
“A point away from home is always a good point,” stated Signal Hill head coach Downie Marcelle. But he noted, “the chances that we threw away in the first half.”
St Mary’s began the second half brightly and were fortuitously ahead at 2-1 in the 47th minute with captain Phillip tucking away a penalty. However, Signal Hill rallied to pull level at 2-2 in the 60th minute, with Hopkins, cutting in from the right and curling a shot to the far post. Both coaches were satisfied for different reasons.
Having had just one day to plug a defence that had leaked ten goals in three matches, Glen said he had worked primarily on defending and positional play.
“The boys were amazing today,” stated Glen. ”A lot of work to be done, but we got them to respond to what we wanted defensively and positionally.”
Saturday's results:
St Mary’s 2 (Kyle Phillip 2) Signal Hill 2 (Khaleem Trim, Antonio Hopkins)
Arima North 1 (Micha’el John) Malick 1 (Josante Duncan)
St Benedict’s 1 (Josiah Ochoa) Naparima 0
Miracle Ministries Pentecostal 1 (Aaron Clement) QRC 0
Presentation Sando 0 Fatima College 2 (Levi Smith, Michael Chaves)
St Augustine Secondary 1 (Elijah Baptiste) St Anthony’s 0
Trinity College East 2 (Khaleem Prince, Xavier Maricheau) San Juan North 1 (own goal)
East Mucurapo v Speyside postponed.
SOURCE: T&T Express
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