Capitalising on Presentation San Fernando’s first points dropped this season, rival Shiva Boys stormed to the top of the BGTT First Citizens Secondary Schools Football League, South Zone Championship, yesterday, with a nervy 2-1 win over Princes Town.
Anderson Toussaint scored a late penalty for Princes Town but Shiva Boys managed to hold onto its advantage to go top of the table by a solitary point over the defending champion and former league leader, Presentation, which was held to a goalless draw by newly-promoted and third-placed Mayaro Secondary.
T&T Under-17 midfielder Levi Garcia opened for Shiva in the 34th minute, before Shaquille John doubled up for the match winner just after the hour-mark.
In the other South Zone matches, Naparima College secured its first win of the season, a 2-1 triumph over St Benedict’s College.
The East Zone saw many sparks, with a total of 16 goals and three red cards in three matches. St Augustine maintained its 100 per cent winning record with a 9-0 blasting of newly-promoted Valencia. Ricardo John was on the scoresheet with five goals, while Aikim Andrews, Triston Hodge, Akeem Garcia and Mickal Johnson chipped in with one goal each.
Another national U-17 player was on target this match day, as Brent Sam scored one goal in either half, combined with another goal from Kaylon Alexander, which saw San Juan North to a 3-2 win over El Dorado West. Defour Xaitire was sent off for El Dorado West in the 61st minute.
Meanwhile, Tyrik John, son of T&T highest ever national goal-scorer, Stern John, scored his second goal in three matches after Dharon Sutherland opened for Trinity East in the second half to see his team trump El Dorado East, 2-0. Two players, Corey Stewart (El Dorado East) and Shaydon Primus (Trinity) were both red carded for a scuffle in the 81st minute.
In Tobago, Pentecostal Light and Life High shocked Signal Hill Secondary beating the former national champion by a slender 1-0 score-line.
Playing at Signal Hill, Pentecostal’s captain Kareem Phillips scored six minutes into the second half to give his side its first ever victory over Signal Hill. Small forward Akeil Frank led the attack for Signal Hill but both sides took some time to settle in the first half. Phillips, Simba George and Shakeem Irvine created opportunities for Pentecostal.
Both teams came out of the dressing rooms pushing for a goal and Pentecostal was rewarded for its effort as Phillip tapped in a high cross from the right hand side over the head of the advancing goalkeeper Njerie Fermin.
Pentecostal then pushed for a second as Hakeem Baynes, George and Phillip pressured the Signal Hill defence. Pentecostal then opted to defend the slender lead with Andel Francis taking control of the Pentecostal’s defence.
Signal Hill pushed the entire team into attack in pursuit for the equaliser but Francis and the towering Marcus Felix kept Signal Hill at bay. But, the Bertille St Clair-led Signal Hill pressured Pentecostal with captain Shaquille Smith and Frank teaming up with Daniel Greig and Shaquille Archer. However, Signal Hill could not convert its chances.
Pentecostal’s forwards had several opportunities to double the lead with several counter-attacks but poor finishing denied them.
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