Jake O’Brien netted a goal on either side of half-time to inspire host team St Mary’s College to a 3-1 triumph yesterday over Morvant/Laventille Secondary in their opening North Zone match in the British Gas Secondary Schools Football League.
O’Brien got his goals in the 20th and 73rd minutes while Valdir Silva scored the other in the 50th minute on the St Mary’s College ground on Serpentine Road, St Clair.
St Mary’s could have been at least two goals up within the first 15 minutes, but for some poor finsihing from striker Stephen Chase.
However, Morvant/Laventille goalkeeper Stantley Gittens could do nothing to prevent O’Brien’s deflected shot from going in at the first post, after his defence failed to clear from a corner.
Chase found himself in a good scoring opportunity again in the 35th minute, but with only ‘keeper Gittens to beat from three yards out, he muffed the chance.
At the other end of the field, “Saints” goalkeeper Michael Amoroso was a mere spectator as his defence stiffled any hope of attacking play by the Morvant/Laventille players for the team to lead 1-0 at the interval.
Five minutes after the resumption, Silva met a centre by Chase from the right side to head into an open goal and double the “Saints” lead.
With their backs to the wall, the Morvant/Laventille boys threw players forward in bigger numbers with the hope of cutting into the deficit.
But each time they tried, mainly through winger Rene Castillo, the St Mary’s back line was up to the task.
O’Brien killed any hopes of a comeback by the visitors when he latched on to a short pass from substitute Jack Weedon and scored with a dipping right-footed shot which sent the ball into the net, off the right post.
The Morvant/Laventiile boys were not to be denied a consolation goal though in stoppage time as Castillo’s floating cross from the right side was met with a precise header from Jeremy Rose.
On the Fatima College ground, Makesi Lewis, Chad De Freitas and Stephon Lewis found the net to give Fatima a similar 3-1victory newly-promoted Tranquillity Government Secondary.
In the two East Zone matches played, San Juan Senior Secondary was held 2-2 by Hillview College at San Juan, while El Dorado Senior Secondary drew 1-1 with debutants Valencia High School.
In South, A goal in the 50th minute by Fyzabad’s Andy Alves earned his team a 2-2 draw and secured the side a share of the points in a British Gas Secondary Schools Football League season’s opening South Zone match against Moruga in Fyzabad yesterday.
The visitors took the lead in the 30th minute through Solomon Brereton. Four minutes later, Andre Quashie of Fyzabad levelled the score, which remained the same until half-time.
Shortly after the break, Kirlon Gomez got Moruga the lead again with a 47th-minute goal but the team’s celebration was shortlived as Alves grabbed the equaliser three minutes later. Andy Alves delivered an almost "Beckham-like" free-kick which totally fooled a helpless Alexi, who could only watch as it sailed sweetly past to disturb the net behind him.
Results:
Fyzabad Composite 2 (Ande Quashie 35th, Andy Alves 82nd) v Moruga Composite 2 (Solomon Brereton 31st, Kerlon Gomez 46th).
Mayaro 0 v Vessigny 1 (Kurt Williams 50th).
San Juan Secondary 2 (Elijah Manner 2) v Hillview College 2 (Carlisle Mitchell, Stefan George).
El Dorado 1 (Nestor Andrews) v Valencia High School 1.
St Mary's College 3 (Jake O'Brien 2, Valdir Silva) v Morvant Laventille Secondary 1 (Jeremy Rose).
Fatima College 3 (Chad De Freitas 2, Stephen St Louis) v Tranquility Government 1 (Mikesi Lewis).
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