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Fatima College reclaimed first place in the Premier Division of the 2023 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) after leaders San Juan North Secondary were held to a goalless draw at home to third-placed Naparima College.
Fatima defeated Arima North Secondary 2-0 at Fatima Ground, Mucurapo to move level with San Juan on 25 points. However, Fatima have a goal-difference of plus-32, compared to San Juan’s plus-18.
Chaves scored a second half item as Fatima won 2-0.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Arima Araucans
Malick Secondary were the only other team to make any positive movement on the points standings, as they climbed one spot to ninth by virtue of a 6-0 hammering of Pleasantville Secondary.
St Benedict’s College also notched a lopsided 6-0 result against the struggling Chaguanas North Secondary, while Presentation College (San Fernando) and St Anthony’s College respectively whipped Trinity College East and Bishop’s High School 3-0.
QRC and East Mucurapo Secondary battled to a 2-2 draw and Speyside featured in a 0-0 draw against St Mary’s College.
San Juan and Naparima have been among the season’s best, and it was expected that their clash would provide some fireworks, as the race for the 2023 title continues.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868
Instead, both teams nullified each other’s attacking moves.
The closest any team came to breaking the deadlock occurred in the 30th minute. Naparima’s right-back Jkwon Bailey swung a corner from the left which met the head of central-defender Josiah Cooper, but his effort crashed off the right post and back into play.
Tevin Pantor could have done a lot better for Naparima, when presented with a rare goal-scoring opportunity. With six minutes of regulation time left, the Naparima striker collected a ball from midfielder Kanye Francis and created space inside the penalty box, before unleashing a left-footed shot which sailed wide of the target.
San Juan’s best chance of getting the elusive goal was in the 75th minute, when striker Jaheem Danclar shot straight at Naparima goalkeeper Tyrece Romain, after good work on the left flank from Elizsha Rogers.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868
“Overall, it was a well-competitive game,” said San Juan coach Jerry Moe, in a post-match interview. “Both teams cancelled out each other in crucial areas. When we had to defend, we defended well and when they had to defend, they defended well.
“Tactically, it was a good game by both teams [with] good intensity. That’s good for [schools] football going forward.”
Moe only made one substitution, in the 39th minute, when Rogers replaced Michael Hemlee, who suffered an injured ankle.
“Sometimes we go with who we think will give us the best results on the day,” said Moe. “Basically, we just decided that the guys who were playing most of the game were doing well for us not to go to the bench.”
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868
Did he think that, as both teams were among the top three, that they did not want to play too expansively?
“Very rare you’ll see two top teams play [and you’re getting] getting 8-nil and 7-nil [scorelines],” replied Moe. “We’re grateful for the point.”
Naparima coach Travis Mulraine said his team “achieved half of our plan, which was to get a clean sheet”.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868
“Our keeper wasn’t really tested,” said Mulraine. “I was a bit worried because we kept giving away too many set-pieces in and around the (penalty) box…corners, freekicks, throws. But the boys did well.
“They defended stoutly, they played with heart and determination, and I can’t ask for more.”
Concerning the cagey nature of the contest, Mulraine said: “I think [in] the first 15 minutes we asked the guys to stay very tight. After the first water-break [in the first half], we asked them to calm down a bit, put the ball down [and] pass it around, work our combination plays. But it just didn’t work today.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868
“The last 15 minutes we started putting some passes together and created a few chances. Unfortunately, we couldn’t convert any.”
(Teams)
San Juan North (4-4-1-1): 1.Xavion Haynes (GK); 14.Desailly Lewis, 2.Joshua Lewis (captain), 6.Jaheshua Ferguson, 15.Kent Guy; 11.Jadiel Joseph, 19.Daniel Lewis, 8.Nathan Quashie, 12.Michael Hemlee (7.Elizsha Rogers 39th); 10.Lindell Sween; 21.Jaheem Danclar.
Unused substitutes: 30.Stephon Langaigne (GK), 3.Michael Greenaway, 5.Hakeem Bartholomew, 16.Isaiah Audain, 20.David Lewis, 23.Michel Baptiste.
Coach: Jerry Moe
Naparima College (4-5-1): 1.Tyrece Romain (GK); 7.Jkwon Bailey, 5.Josiah Cooper, 18.Tyrel Alexander, 3.Antonio Hills; 11.Akiel Vesprey (6.Xarion France 60th), 4.Jaron Pascall, 10.Kanye Francis, 8.Terrell Rajoon (captain), 22.Jabari Forbes (23.Arron Raymond 58th); 14.Tevin Pantor.
Unused substitutes: 25.Mikhail Clement (GK), 12.Zachary Seecharan, 13.Jelani Calliste, 16.Darion Hernandez, 17.Shabani Thompson, 20.Israel Joseph, 21.Jerrel Cooper.
Coach: Travis Mulraine
Referee: Cecile Hinds
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Arima Araucans
SSFL Premier Division results
(Saturday 14 October)
Fatima College 2 (Aidan De Gannes, Michael Chaves), Arima North 0 at Fatima Ground;
San Juan North 0, Naparima College 0 at Bourg Mulatresse;
QRC 2 (Stephon James 10, Musaddiq Mohammed 61), East Mucurapo 2 (Maalik Jarvis 23, 25) at QRC Ground;
Bishop’s High 0, St Anthony’s College 3 (Aalon Wilson-Wright, Amari Dunbar, Mordecai Ford) at Plymouth Recreation Ground;
Chaguanas North 0, St Benedict’s College 6 (Malachi Webb [3], Jaden Grant [2], Josiah Ochoa) at Edinburgh 500;
Pleasantville Secondary 0, Malick Secondary 6 (Oba Samuel [4], Malachi Woodley, Antonio Sealey) at Manny Ramjohn Stadium Training Field;
Presentation (San F’do) 3 (Vaughn Clement, Kaille Elliott, Duhrell Young), Trinity East 0 at Manny Ramjohn Stadium;
St Mary’s College 0, Speyside High 0 at Serpentine Road.
Upcoming fixtures
(Wednesday 18 October)
Naparima College vs Presentation (San F’do), Lewis Street, 3.45pm;
Speyside Secondary vs Arima North, Speyside Recreation Ground, 3.30pm;
St Benedict’s College vs St Mary’s College, Manny Ramjohn Stadium, 3.45pm;
Malick Secondary vs Fatima College, Serpentine Road, 3.45pm;
East Mucurapo vs Bishop’s High, Fatima Ground, 3.30pm;
QRC vs Pleasantville Secondary, QRC Ground, 3.45pm;
St Anthony’s College vs San Juan North, Westmoorings, 3.45pm;
Trinity East vs Chaguanas North, Trincity, 3.45pm.
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Joel Bailey is an experienced sport writer with over two decades’ experience at the Trinidad Newsday.
