Defending champion Presentation College of San Fernando moved into sole possession of top spot in the Premier Division of the Shell/First Citizens Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) with a 3-1 whipping of Carapichaima East Secondary at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre, yesterday.
Starting the day levelled on three points with St Augustine Secondary, Naparima College and idle San Juan North Secondary, Presentation got a goal each from Jordan Riley, Shakeem Julien and Omri Baird, just as they did in the opening round win over Trinity College of Moka, to lead 3-0 at the half-time whistle against Carapichaima East. It was Carapichaima’s first match of the season.
The second-half saw a much improved defensive effort from the Central Zone school, who managed to pull a goal back, however, the damage was already done in the first 45 minutes by Presentation to improve to maximum six points after two matches, two ahead of former two-time champion Naparima College, St Augustine Secondary and Queen’s Royal College (QRC).
Naparima was held to a goalless draw by East Mucurapo Secondary at its Lewis Street, San Fernando home ground while the “Green Machine” of St Augustine needed a goal four minutes into time added on from Kesean St Rose to earn a 2-2 at home with East Zone rival, Trinity College East.
Dorian Sampson scored in the 29th minute for “Gustine” to lead 1-0 at the half-time interval as they looked to build on the 4-2 opening win against St Anthony’s College.
However, on the resumption, Kerdell Sweeen (55th) and Terrell Wiley (73rd) got items for the visitors to silence the home crowd, until St Rose struck at the death for a share of the spoils.
Over in Tobago at Plymouth Recreation Ground, St Anthony’s College got two late goals in a 3-1 defeat of Bishop’s High School.
The trio of Zion Williams, Omari Williams and Khiesa Granger were all on target for the “Westmooring Tigers” to cancel out Dominique Lyons’ reply for the hosts.
At QRC ground in St Clair, national Under-20 standout John-Paul Rochford got both goals to lead the Royalians past promoted Valencia Secondary while up at Moka, Maraval, Kai Phillip’s 35th-minute strike secured all three points for Trinity College Moka over Fatima.
In the day’s other fixture, St Benedict’s College and St Mary’s battled to a 1-1 draw at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.