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The 2014 BG T&T Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Premier Division has proved that home advantage isn’t always a guarantee of victory.

 But San Juan North Secondary used it well yesterday to rally through to a 3-2 win over Shiva Boys Hindu College in muddy conditions at Bourg Mulatresse yesterday.

In the second half, the home team had to come from behind against the school from Penal after taking the lead on either side of halftime, before lanky striker Brent Sam slotted home from the penalty spot to seal a morale-boosting victory.

Before that, Jermell Britto gave San Juan a lead they held for 14 minutes, before Sam provided the all-important equaliser in the second period with a rocket of a free kick. Shiva scored through an equaliser from Rodney Quinn on the stroke of halftime, and a go-ahead goal from their skipper, Marvin Seuradge.

Both sides made errors in the back and did not always put away their chances, which made for an entertaining encounter. But San Juan were rallied by a fair-sized home crowd that came out in vocal support of their spunky team.

Shiva Boys ended a tough week with a feeling of déjà vu after they let slip another away match in similar fashion to their defeat to St Anthony’s College at Westmoorings on Wednesday. They twice went ahead against the Tigers, and also conceded a second-half penalty.

San Juan are not known for their fast starts, but they had a better first half against Shiva Boys. Both teams play a physical game, and it meant a see-saw contest.

The hosts went ahead in the 32nd minute through a powerful strike by Britto that nestled sweetly in the back of Shiva goalkeeper Denzil Smith’s net. But just when they thought they would head to the locker room in the lead, Quinn stepped up to level, nodding home to the excitement of his teammates.

Seuradge sent his team further ahead on the hour, taking advantage of the rebound from Yohannes Richardson’s initial blast that he chipped in cheekily, with a bit of help from San Juan goalkeeper Sterling Sween.

The match turned in the 72nd when Sam got on the scoresheet, driving a wicked free kick from beyond 30 metres past Smith, albeit after a bit of a deflection.

Sam sealed the contest after Shiva Boys conceded a penalty and Simeon De Bourgh earned himself and instant trip to the showers in the 87th. Sam stepped up, and that was all she wrote.

At the top of the table, St Anthony’s College stretched their lead atop the Premier League standings by one point with a 3-0 win away to St Augustine Secondary after St Mary’s College, previously second, were held 1-1 for the third time in four matches.

St Benedict’s College slipped in behind the “Tigers” of St Anthony’s after easing past Fatima College 3-1 at Fatima’s Mucurapo Road ground.

Yesterday’s SSFL Results

Premier Division

St Augustine 0 v St Anthony’s 3 (Adriel Kerr, Kwesi Allen 2) 

San Juan North 3 (Brent Sam 2-72nd, 85th (penalty Jermell Britto 32nd) v Shiva Boys 2 (Marvin Seuradge 60th, Rodney Quinn 45th)  

Naparima 6 (Nicholas Dillon 2, Stephon Smith, Shane Sandy, Nicholas Thomas, Jeremiah Kezar) v Arima North 1 

St Mary’s 1 (Aaron Noel) v Carapichaima East 1 

Fatima 1 v St Benedict’s 3 (Levi Crawford, Shaquille Williams, Shemar Ravello) 

Presentation 0 v Trinity East 3

Chaguanas North 2 v East Mucurapo 1 (Ishaq Abdullah 90th )

Tobago Zone

Scarborough 1 v Goodwood 0

Pentecostal L&L 4 v Bishop’s High 2

Signal Hill 5 v Roxborough 2