It was goals galore in the Secondary Schools Football League yesterday with a whopping 60 goals being scored in 12 zonal games in Trinidad. Mucurapo Comprehensive got their campaign back on hammering Trinity College 10-1 at Fatima Grounds.
Meanwhile, Fatima stayed top of the zone with a sensational 3-3 draw with runner-up St Anthony’s College at the St Anthony’s grounds while Queen’s Royal College trounced St Mary’s College 4-1 for their second win of the season.
In the East Zone, St Augustine Senior Comprehensive mauled Hillview College 9-0 at the Marvin Lee Stadium. The “Green Machine”, looked a well oiled unit as they ripped Hillview apart play after play to register another lopsided victory of the 2008 season and keep pressure on San Juan.
League leaders San Juan Comprehensive maintained their unbeaten start to the season with their fourth consecutive victory. San Juan gave newcomers Trinity East a lesson in football beating their hosts 5-1 to stay three points ahead of the second placed “Gustine”.
Meanwhile, El Dorado Comprehensive stayed within striking distance of the pair with a 4-1 pounding of Arima Comprehensive at the ‘El Do’ grounds. Joseph Brown bagged a brace while Shane Hospedales and Jamal Richards added one each for the “Blue Thunder”.
Defending South Zone champions Naparima College trounced Vessigny 4-1 yesterday to grab the pole position in the zone with a perfect three wins from as many matches. Vessigny entered the match as the leaders but needed to win or draw to keep ‘Naps’ at bay at least for another round. At the final whistle, they achieved neither as the Naparima team replaced them at the helm of the South Zone.
Meanwhile Siparia moved into second place with a 2-0 shut out of Pleasantville at the Siparia Grounds. In the third zonal game, Princes Town edged St Benedict’s College 1-0 to register their first win of the season.
In a top of the table clash, Carapichaima stayed on course for consecutive Central Zone titles with a 2-1 win over Waterloo. ‘Caps’ were given their first real test and passed the examination as they took full points from Waterloo which looks to be their main contender for the zone.
Preysal were 3-1 winners over Marabella at the Ato Boldon Stadium. Presentation College notched their first win after two consecutive draws yesterday beating the cellar-placed Chaguanas 2-1 on the road. The ‘Pres’ team were unable to enjoy the sweet taste of victory, however, as one of their players suffered a broken leg during the game.
St Augustine drub Hillview College.
By: Roger Seepersad (Express).
It was a goal-fest in the BG Trinidad and Tobago Secondary Schools Football League East Zone yesterday as heavyweights St Augustine defeated Hillview College 9-0 at Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya and San Juan emerged 5-1 winners over Trinity College East at Trincity.
In the other East Zone encounter yesterday, at El Dorado Secondary Comprehensive Ground, the home team beat Arima Senior Comprehensive 4-1 to move into third spot, tied with Arima on six points.
They trail undefeated leaders San Juan, who have 12 points, and St Augustine, who are on nine.
At Macoya, it was a one-sided affair with St Augustine putting Hillview on the defensive from early with some penetrative attacks which culminated in a penalty in the 16th minute, which was converted by Isaiah Mejias.
Xavion Navarro also had some good attempts on goal, the first hitting the upright and the second cleared off the line by Hillview·s Keith Anthony. Navarro was eventually rewarded in the 36th when he found himself alone in the box with only the keeper to beat.
Hillview were relegated to observers in the second period as the Green Machine scored at will, with Ishmael Clement opening his account in the 48th and adding a second in the 80th after Navarro got his double in the 52nd.
Substitute Nikkel Colleymore pushed for a place in the starting XI after he hit the back of the net twice in the 78th and 82nd to close off the scoring.
Another substitute, Umar Prescott, also got on the score sheet with a 55th minute strike, followed by Vernell Ramirez's 63rd minute item.
Fatima, St Anthony's in 3-3 thriller.
By: Kern De Freitas (Express).
Those expecting a thrilling showdown between St Anthony's College and Fatima College were not disappointed as the teams played out a 3-3 draw at Westmoorings in BGTT Secondary Schools Football League North Zone action yesterday.
Qian Grosvenor doubled up for the home team, while Kern Robinson did the same for Fatima, making use of a man advantage to snatch a share of the points.
A waterlogged field meant a half hour delay, but the fans were not disappointed when the opening whistle blew.
Fatima were already without their main goalscorer Chad De Freitas, under suspension from their last encounter. Their opponents were also missing key defender Uriah Bentick from their line-up.
Fatima got things started as early as the fifth minute when Robinson hit the net, taking advantage of a brilliant parry by St Anthony's goalkeeper Sheldon Clarke, after Kae Jay Ramdoo's initial attempt.
But the "Tigers" hit back three times in the space of 13 minutes to make a Fatima win seem unlikely. Grosvenor was the main instrument in that devastating run. First, he floated a beauty of a freekick over Fatima goalie Darron De Freitas, who misjudged the attempt and watched it hit the net above his head.
Minutes later it was Grosvenor again, the quick-footed striker holding off a defender and blasting past De Freitas.
In the 32nd it was Grosvenor who turned provider and Emery Joyeau finished well, burying his effort in De Freitas's far post.
The hosts were perhaps unfortunate to have a goal ruled offside and Fatima spoiled their good first half when Ramdoo hit home off Ryan Augustine's free-kick. Early in the second half St Anthony's lost defender Rashaad Wint despite several pleas to the referee on his behalf.
Fatima used their extra man well, but were unable to finish well enough. After forcing a free-kick from 30 metres, Clarke tried to catch a muddy ball rather than parry and Ramdoo was on hand to knock home the rebound.
St Anthony's had a chance to steal victory in the dying minutes, but fluffed chances given to Grosvenor and Micah Lewis.
Still, the result would be acceptable to both sides. Fatima recovered from 3-1 down to salvage a draw and the Tigers became the first team to take points off the league leaders, with ten men for almost 40 minutes. For the sizeable crowd who braved the mud and blazing sun to see the match, it would have been time well spent.
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