Caps stuns Tigers in Big Five

A close-range unorthodox goal from forward Marvin Martin in the 71st minute is all it took for the nine-time consecutive zonal winners, “Caps,” to hand the “Tigers” its first defeat in two seasons in the SSFL.
 
It was sweet revenge for Carapichaima, who lost by the same margin to its opponents in last year’s final.  Carapichaima as a result will meet either Scarborough or Presentation College, San Fernando, which contest the second semifinal today at 4 pm, at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet.
 
Ironically, Carapichaima went into the game pending an appeal by its Central Zone counterparts, Chaguanas North, regarding a controversial decision to reverse the points in a 2–1 loss when the two teams met in their league match.
 
Carapichaima subsequently protested the presence of one of the Chaguanas North players and the SSFL disciplinary committee ruled in its favour, giving it a 3–0 victory and three points, which took it to the Central title.
 
Chaguanas North has appealed that ruling and a meeting on Monday failed to bring about a resolution. The committee will meet again tomorrow. The best result for Chaguanas, granted it is given the benefit of a reverse of the decision, is that it will take the league title and given a bye for the first round of the Coca-Cola InterCol tournament.
 
Yesterday, Carapichaima took the game to the Tigers and got the rewards. Tomorrow’s second semifinal between Scarborough Secondary and Presentation College San Fernando, will follow the Girls’ Big-Four semifinal between Signal Hill and St Francois, which kicks off at 2 pm.
 
Debe won the first match 3–0 over St Augustine Secondary.
 
TOMORROW - Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet

Girls’ Big-Four semifinal

Signal Hill vs St Francois, 2 pm

Boys’ Big-Five semifinal

Scarborough vs Presenation College S/do, 4 pm
 
MONDAY - Venue- TBD

Girls’ Big-Four final
 
Debe vs Signal Hill / St Francois, 3 pm

Boys’ Big-Five final

Carapichaima vs Scarborough / Presentation, 5 pm

Central champs in SSFL Big 5 final
By Kern De Freitas (Express).

CAPS TAME TIGERS

Sometimes a win is a win. And yesterday Carapichaima East Secondary's battling 1-0 win over St Anthony's College at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva surely was not pretty.

But it served a few purposes for Carapichaima: they simultaneously earned a spot in the BG T&T/First Citizens Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Big Five final at the defending champs' expense; stopped the North Zone winners' unbeaten run at 27 matches; and took revenge for Caps' similar 1-0 loss in last year's Big Five final to the same opponents.

Against the run of play, in the 71st minute, Carapichaima striker Marvin Martin grabbed hold of a howler from St Anthony's goalkeeper Kevon Sample, who dropped what looked like an easy pickup, and put "Caps" ahead.

That was all Carapichaima needed to move on, and they will await news of today's result between Presentation College San Fernando and Scarborough Secondary at Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, Tobago.

It was more a war of attrition than a contest of wits, yesterday, and perhaps the result was fair, given that Caps' defence was the sturdier. The Tigers survived a few defensive blunders, but another such lapse led to their downfall.

They had more chances in the match, but Caps had the personnel to keep them at bay. St Anthony's tried to claw their way back, particularly through Shaquille Long, but his attempt to walk into goal in the 77th would have been better concluded with an earlier shot. He also had a few other shots, but nothing that troubled Carapichaima goalkeeper Demetrius Edwards.

Outside of their "gift" from the Tigers, Carapichaima had little to talk about in attack in the second half. But St Anthony's simply had no answer for Martin's goal.

The 0-0 halftime score was probably a fair reflection of the first period of play. The Tigers looked likely to score, but the better chances came Caps' way against the run of play, and they were unable to make them count.

In fact, the first shot on goal from Martin, after St Anthony's defender Savion Kirton had provided him an open look, was way too tame to trouble Sample in the Tigers' goal.

The half never really saw any rhythm from either team; St Anthony's were hustled off the ball constantly, but Caps failed to keep possession.

Still, the Central champs could have done way better in front of goal, Martin and the diminutive Akeel James both failing to capitalise on defensive mistakes.

At the other end, Kwesi Weston did threaten down the left flank for the Tigers and striker Adrian Millette had his chances as well, his best a header from 17 metres that lacked the power to be effective.

Caps' one second half chance was, though, and now they await another shot at Big Five glory.