Fatima College lead the North Zone standings on goal difference after the first round of competition in the 2005 BG T&T Secondary Schools Football League with a 6-0 dismantling of Tranquillity Government Secondary at Fatima ground, Mucurapo Road yesterday.
And in the South Zone, Princes Town got off to a winning start, turning back Mayaro 2-0 at home, thanks to goals on either side of the half from Keslon Clarke (10th minute) and Gerron McKnight (55th).
Fatima, who kept most of their core players from a young side that competed in the SSFL last season, were easily the better team on the day. They were hardly pressed to improve their casual game, settling for target practice, and could have won by a greater margin had their shooting not been so askew.
Two first half goals for Makesi Lewis, in the 17th and 29th minutes, as well as a double from fellow striker Chad De Freitas, among myriad misses and wayward shots, gave Fatima a 4-0 advantage at halftime.
Tranquillity's best chance came from Olonzo King, who was just short of reaching a long ball on the left, which was eventually collected by Fatima 'keeper Adrian Foncette.
In the second period, it was more of the same, despite the valiant effort of "Tranquil" goalkeeper Keron Joseph, in what seemed more like a comedy of errors than a football match.
The Fatima marksmen seemed able to put the ball everywhere else but the net, when they were not offside, and Tranquillity seemed unable to keep them out.
The drought ended four minutes from time in the 86th minute with a Keron Villaroel strike, with Kirron Marin getting goal number six for Fatima in the final minute of regulation time.
In Fatima's next encounter against defending North Zone champions Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive-who, along with Fatima and QRC have three points-they will not have the luxury of wasted chances.
And for Tranquil, the season ahead appears to be a long one.
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