SSFL 2022: “Pres”, Benedict’s start Intercol campaigns in Mahaica, CIC host Miracle Ministries in Big 5


Defending National Intercol champions, Presentation College (San Fernando), and 2022 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Big 4 conquerors, St Benedict’s College, will open their 2022 Intercol campaigns in Mahaica Oval double header on Thursday 10 November.

Both Premier Division schools join the fray at the South Zone quarterfinal stage, according to fixtures released today by the SSFL executive committee.

Presentation College (San F’do) players celebrate with the National Intercol trophy after their 2-1 win over San Juan North at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 4 December 2019.
(Copyright Kerlon Orr/CA-Images/Wired868)

Presentation College, who were defeated Big 4 semifinalists, face the winner between Point Fortin East Secondary and Fyzabad Anglican Secondary from 5pm at Mahaica Oval. And St Benedict’s open the Mahaica Oval double feature against either Ste Madeline Secondary or Princes Town West Secondary from 3pm.

The 2022 Intercol competition actually kicks off in the North Zone with St Mary’s College amongst six teams who are in action in the preliminary round on Tuesday 1 November.

St Mary’s College, who recently copped the North Zone Championship title, play Diego Martin Central from 3.30pm on Mucurapo Road.

Before the “Saints” join the knockout competition, there is the far from inconsequential matter of the SSFL Big 5 competition—which will decide the three second tier schools to be promoted to the 2023 Premier Division.

St Mary’s College hosts Central champs Miracle Ministries High School from 3pm on Saturday 29 October while South Zone winners Siparia West Secondary are at home against East Zone champions Arima North Secondary.

The Tobago representative, which is still to be decided, is on a bye.

St Mary’s College attacker Josiah Connell celebrates a goal during North Zone action against Mucurapo West Secondary at Serpentine Road on 11 October 2022.
CIC won 4-1.
(Copyright Daniel Prentice/ Wired868)

At present, Bishop’s High School top the group with Mason Hall Secondary in second place—as the latter outfit were awarded three points today after their trip to Pentecostal Light and Life was abandoned due to an inadequately marked playing field.

According to the Tobago Zone’s rules, the top two finishers will meet in a playoff to determine the zonal champion—which is a consequence of a belated decision to condense the competition from two rounds to just one.

Mason Hall will now challenge Bishop’s High for the right to represent Tobago in the Big 5 competition and, ultimately, to join Speyside High School in the 2023 Premier Division.

The SSFL has decided to play only the first round of the Big 5 competition with the other four rounds postponed until all of the participating teams are eliminated from the National Intercol competition.


Arima North Secondary team captain Jadon Durity celebrates a long range goal against Valencia Secondary during a 2-2 draw at the Larry Gomes Stadium on Friday 14 October 2022.
(Copyright Daniel Prentice/ Arima Araucans Academy)

The uncertainty over Big 5 match days, according to the SSFL, is due to inter-island travel issues resulting from the Tobago Carnival.

At present, Merere Gonzales is president of the SSFL alongside general secretary Azaad Khan.

Big 5 fixtures

(Sat 29 Oct)

St Mary’s College vs Miracle Ministries High, 3pm, Serpentine Road;

Siparia West Secondary vs Arima North Secondary, 3pm, Siparia West;

Tobago are on a bye

SSFL president Merere Gonzales (right) and Tiger Tanks CEO Denis Latiff before kickoff of the Tiger Tanks Cup at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on 9 September 2022.
(Copyright Daniel Prentice/ Wired868)

(To be determined)

Arima North Secondary vs Miracle Ministries High at Arima Old Road;

St Mary’s College vs Tobago at Serpentine Road;

Siparia West Secondary are on a bye

(To be determined)

Tobago vs Siparia West Secondary at Tobago;

Arima North Secondary vs St Mary’s College at Arima Old Road;

Miracle Ministries are on a bye

St Mary’s College captain Harrison Parks (right) tries to make room for himself during North Zone action against Mucurapo West Secondary at Serpentine Road on 11 October 2022.
CIC won 4-1.
(Copyright Daniel Prentice/ Wired868)

(To be determined)

Miracle Ministries High vs Tobago at TBA;

Siparia West Secondary vs St Mary’s College at Siparia West;

Arima North Secondary are on a bye

(To be determined)

Miracle Ministries vs Siparia West Secondary at TBA;

Tobago vs Arima North Secondary at Tobago;

St Mary’s College are on a bye

Presentation (San F’do) attacker Jardel Sinclair (bottom) is congratulated by teammates after his match winning goal against San Juan North in the National Intercol final at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 4 December 2019.
(Copyright Allan V Crane/ CA-Images/ Wired868)

Intercol

Preliminary Round

(Tue 1 Nov)

St Mary’s College v Diego Martin Central, North Zone, 3.30pm, Fatima ground;

Trinity College (Moka) v Tranquillity Secondary, North Zone, 3.30pm, St Mary’s ground;

Mucurapo West Secondary v Blanchisseuse Secondary, North Zone, 3.30pm, QRC;

(Wed 2 Nov)

Five Rivers Secondary v Holy Cross College, East Zone, 3.30pm, St Augustine;

Five Rivers Secondary playmaker Tony Figerra (left) eludes Arima North Secondary midfielder Nicholas Torres during SSFL East Zone Championship action on Friday 7 October at the Arima Old Road.
(Copyright Daniel Prentice/ Arima Araucans Academy)

(Thu 3 Nov)

Point Fortin East v Fyzabad Anglican Sec, South Zone, 3.30pm, Pt Fortin;

Ste Madeline Secondary v Princes Town West, South Zone, 3.30pm, Moruga;

Zonal Quarterfinals

(Fri 4 Nov)

Fatima College v Mucurapo West/ Blanchisseuse, North Zone, 3.30pm, St Mary’s ground;

QRC v Trinity (Moka)/ Tranquillity, North Zone, 3.30pm, Fatima ground;

East Mucurapo Secondary v St Anthony’s College, North Zone, 2pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium;

Malick Secondary v St Mary’s/ D’go Martin Central, North Zone, 4pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium;

Fatima College attacker Jose Attong (left) celebrates his goal against Speyside High during SSFL Premier Division action at Mucurapo Road on 12 October 2022.
(Copyright Daniel Prentice/ Wired868)

(Mon 7 Nov)

Miracle Ministries High v ASJA Boys (Charlieville), Central Zone, 3.30pm, Arena Recreation Ground;

Presentation College (Chag) v Couva East Sec, Central Zone, 3.30pm, Couva East;

Speyside High v Championship #7, Tobago Zone, 3pm, Dwight Yorke Stadium;

Championship #3 v Championship #4, Tobago Zone, 5pm, Dwight Yorke Stadium;

Championship #2 v Championship #5, Tobago Zone, TBA;

Championship #1 v Championship #6, Tobago Zone, TBA;

Speyside High attacker Jarlon Toppin (left) is tackled by Fatima College defender Jaden Williams during SSFL Premier Division action at Mucurapo Road on 12 October 2022.
(Photo Daniel Prentice/ Wired868)

(Wed 9 Nov)

San Juan North v Five Rivers/ Holy Cross, East Zone, 3.30pm, St Augustine;

St Augustine Secondary v Manzanilla Secondary, East Zone, 3.30pm, El Dorado;

Trinity College East v Valencia Secondary, East Zone, 1.30pm, Larry Gomes Stadium;

Arima North Secondary v El Dorado East, East Zone, 3.30pm, Larry Gomes Stadium;

St Benedict’s College forward Tarik Lee (foreground) holds off a tackle by Fatima College midfielder Justin Alcantara during the Big 4 final in Couva on 26 October 2022.
(Copyright Daniel Prentice/ Wired868)

(Thu 10 Nov)

St Benedict’s College v St Madeline/ P Town West, South Zone, 3pm, Mahaica Oval;

Presentation College (San F’do) v Pt Fortin E/ Fyzabad Angl, South Zone, 5pm, Mahaica Oval;

Naparima College v Siparia West Secondary, South Zone, 3pm, Moruga,

Pleasantville Secondary v Moruga Secondary, South Zone, 5pm, Moruga.

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About Lasana Liburd

Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.

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One comment

  1. Great idea to postpone the Big 5 after 1st round. Players should focus on one thing at a time.

    This football season is so packed that it should continue in the 2nd term too. Football needs solid exposure and should be played right through the year. Also players have to study the game.

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