Naparima College dropped two vital points in a goalless tie with arch-rivals Presentation College, San Fernando, when competition in the Shell/First Citizens Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Premiership Division continued at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella on Wednesday.
However, Naparima still maintained the top position on the 15-team standings after title hopefuls St Anthony’s College were hammered 4-0 by a rising San Juan North Secondary in San Juan.
Naparima’s inability to score on the day moved them one point further to 30 points, while the Tigers maintained second, ahead of Presentation by just a two-goal differential, as both teams are on 26 points each.
On a day of upsets, Carapichaima East Secondary School were eyeing a possible move into third place but were beaten by struggling St Benedict’s College 2-1 at home.
However, out at San Juan, the home team turned the once-vicious Tigers outfit into tamed pussycats, courtesy of a double strike by substitute Daniel Best and an outstanding overall performance by Isaiah Chase, Renaldo Boyce, Christon Mitchell and Jordan Britto and company in front of cheering fans made up of student, teachers and residents of the community.
Both teams settled quickly in the game but heavy underfoot conditions, coupled with San Juan’s physical dominance, appeared to be the Tigers' main hurdle during the contest. The home team, coached by their influential former striker/midfielder Marvin Oliver, was off to a flying start from a build-up on the left side that looked anything but dangerous in the 11th minute.
Chase, who tormented the St Anthony’s defence in the early moments, calmly rolled a pass to Kedell Jones in the centre and from some 20 yards out, the latter unleashed a blistering drive that flew past Josiah Perez in the St Anthony’s goal.
The Tigers, who have lost just once for the season, should have equalised in the 21st. Kiron Manswell was picked out by Kahim Thomas with a pass from right to left. Before Malik Farrier could reach Thomas, the latter moved into a one-on-one position with goalkeeper Emmanuel John but with the goal wide open he hit wide.
The Tigers struggled to produce the fluent-passing game they are known for and it cost them dearly. The home team saw two chances inside the penalty area by Tyrique Sutherland and Chase squandered and it appeared they were heading to a 1-0 San Juan advantage to the half-time interval.
On the stroke of half-time Boyce and Elisha Garcia appeared to be in an off-side position when Chase, on the left side, lifted a pass to them. With the referee waving play-on, Boyce calmly slotted the ball past the onrushing Perez for a 2-0 lead before the break.
Thereafter it was all San Juan, furthering their advantage in the 48th minute with a goal from Best. The little striker was at the end of a neatly threaded ball from an over-lapping Britto, weaving his way through some three players before finding Best lurking on the right side. Best then slipped the ball beyond Perez to the far post for a 3-0 lead.
St Anthony’s, having to come from behind, just could not find their goal-scoring boots on the day, though finding themselves in dangerous positions. Over-lapping defender Ian Cowie came close with a thunderous strike from outside but an acrobatic John pushed it wide.
Instead, Best hammered the nail into the Tigers coffin when Boyce got away from the Tigers defence but his shot was pushed to the top of the area, for Best to meet it sweetly with a powerful low grounder that flew past the custodian for his team’s fourth goal in the 86th minute to complete a 4-0 win.
Meanwhile, at Fatima Ground, St Mary’s College were confined to relegation to the Championship Division in 2020 after being beaten 4-0 by East Mucurapo.
WEDNESDAY'S RESULTS
San Juan North Secondary 4 (Kedell Jones 11th, Renaldo Boyce 21st, Daniel Best 48th, 86th) v St Anthony’s College 0
Malick Secondary 2 (Jabari Williams, Nickell Alexander) v Queen’s Royal College 0
Trinity College, Moka 3 (Temesgn Tizere, Jahiem Marshall, Keishaughn Williams) v St. Augustine Secondary 1 (Jerin Meloney)
St. Benedict’s College 2 (Ackeem Mason, Gesiah Bishop) v Carapichiama East Secondary 1 (Brandon St Clair)
East Mucurapo Secondary 4 (Jaheim Patrick, Zion Mc Leod 2, Terriq Martin) v St Mary’s College 0
Pleasantville Secondary 0 v Trinity College East 0
Presentation College 0 v Naparima College 0
LATEST TEAM STANDING
SCHOOLS*P*W*L*D*GF*GA*GD*PTS
1*Naparima College*12*9*0*3*30*10*+20*30
2*St. Anthony’s College*12*8*2*2*37*15*+22*26
3*Presentation College*11*9*1*2*26*6*+20*26
4*East Mucurapo Secondary*12*7*2*3*27*11*+16*24
5*Carapichaima East Secondary*12*6*2*4*22*16*+6*22
6*San Juan North Secondary*12*6*4*2*30*10*+20*20
7*Queen’s Royal College*12*6*4*1*22*26*-4*19
8*Pleasantville Secondary*12*4*6*2*15*17*-2*14
9*St. Augustine Secondary*12*3*5*4*29*24*+5*13
10*Malick Secondary*13*4*8*1*20*27*-7*13
11*St. Benedict’s College*12*4*7*1*14*21*-7*13
12*Trinity College East*12*3*6*3*14*19*-5*12
13*Speyside High School*12*3*7*2*18*37*-19*11
14*Trinity College, Moka*12*2*9*1*16*41*-25*7
15*St. Mary’s College*12*1*10*1*5*43*-38*4
