RBNYFL 24: Pro Series, Santa Cruz get bumper wins while Cardinals edge City

Christiano Budhoo and Nasique George scored twice each as Pro Series dominated the shorthanded First Kick Academy 5-0 in North Zone action in the 2024 Republic Bank National Youth Football League (RBNYL) competition at Trinity College Ground, Moka.

The game was the last of four Under-14 fixtures at Moka on Saturday. Yet, First Kick had only 10 players rostered for the match (half of Pro Series’ complement of players), and started with eight.

Budhoo got things going after nine minutes of play with a shot from outside the penalty box, which flew past the right of First Kick’s goalkeeper Reilly McKenzie.

It was literally one-way traffic thereafter. Kaleb Gocking had a wonderful opportunity to double the lead in the 24th minute, but his long-range effort crashed off the crossbar, to McKenzie’s relief.

Sloppy play in their penalty box proved costly for First Kick, as Liam LaFleur pounced on a loose ball and nestled his left-footed shot beyond McKenzie’s reach.

The manner in which both teams returned for the second half seemed to sum up the contest. Pro Series looked energised and buoyant, while First Kick Academy players trudged slowly back on to the field.

For the next 40 minutes, First Kick players resorted to kicking away every ball, either for a corner-kick or a throw-in. But the pressure from Pro Series was incessant.

Budhoo netted his second item in the 56th minute off a cross from the left which flew over the First Kick defence and into the back of the net.

Five minutes later, George curled a right-footed effort past McKenzie, before wrapping up the scoring in the 68th—this time with his left foot.

“It was a game that turned out to be a little more difficult than it should have been, with reference to the chances created,” said Pro Series coach Damien Frederick. “Eventually, I would be pleased because it’s a victory.”

There will be sterner tests for the Port of Spain-based squad, but Frederick pointed out: “As time goes on, obviously you’ll see more improvement.”

On the flip side, First Kick Academy coach Errol John took heart from his players’ efforts.

“In the opening 20 minutes, we showed real fight, given the circumstances,” said John. “We started with eight men and a player came in late, but I find my team played really good because we’ve just started [training]. Most of these players have never played (at this level) before. It’s just to get more training and experience with them.

“We’re based in Port of Spain. Most of these players are from Tranquillity Secondary School.”

Cardinals Football Academy were also in winners’ row on Saturday, as they downed City FC (formerly QPCC) 3-2.

Cardinals were in cruise control with three goals in the first 20 minutes, courtesy of strikes from Deron Blackman (13th and 18th) and Malachi Polin (20th).

Jeremai Nanton pulled one back for City FC in the 33rd, after running on to a through ball and hitting a right-footed shot to the right of Cardinals’ goalkeeper Estefan Gift.

Shortly before the half-time interval, Nanton got his team’s second from the penalty spot, after a hand-ball infringement by Cardinals’ Amani Seon.

The second half was a scrappy affair, but Cardinals maintained their one-goal advantage until the final whistle.

In the first of four scheduled games at Moka on Saturday, Project Pro defeated Belmont AFE 2-0, with goals from Luke Ferreira (29th) and Andre Constantine (65th).

Santa Cruz United dismissed any threat of Dibe Dragons as they romped to a 12-0 mauling, in the day’s second encounter.

Kevez Quintero helped himself to a beaver-trick, after finding the net in the second, fourth, 16th and 70th, while Jahmai Caesar (sixth, 17th and 75th) notched a hat-trick.

Also getting their names on the scoresheet were Xavier Joseph (third and 16th), Giovanni Hypolite (31st and 68th) and Mackyle Perreira (61st).

Republic Bank National Youth Football League results

Match Day Two

Central Zone

U-14

(Saturday 2 March)

Hillview College FA 10 (Sanjeev Mungal [5], Dimitri Hajaree [3], Maliq Assing, Stephan Tinto), Talent & Energy 0 at Frederick Settlement;

Blue Hawks 5 (Ilano Knights 8, 10, Ajani George 12, Kymanni Nicholas 69, 70), Crown Trace 2 (Teshaun Carrington 43, Ajano Hypolite 47) at Frederick Settlement;

Ultimate Unisons 14 (Julius Caesar 1, 26, 49, Jaydon De Couteau 19, 30, 46, Malik Guy 13, 48, Kymani Noel 38, 47, 74, Kymani Cato-Rivers 45, Trevon Barnett 47), San Juan Jabloteh 0 at Frederick Settlement;

Evolution FC 1 (Jaydon Moore 79), Creek SCC 8 (Aaden Jones 8, 64, 70, Jeremiah Edwards 9, 10, Jabari Joseph 14, 24, Luke Eccles 62) at Frederick Settlement.

U-16

(Sunday 3 March)

Waterloo Institute 0, HEART Academy 5 (Kimanni Baldwin 15, 51, Jamari Gilkes 25, Eli Crichlow 54, Jair Springer 74) at Constantine Park;

FC Tigers 0, Beatnix SC 4 (Chad Nicholas 8, Khalid Jones, Kibwe Abosie 70, Jahmarley Ellis 77) at Frederick Settlement;

Gasparillo Youths 1 (Teeriq Pompey 69 pen), Crown Trace 0 at Constantine Park;

MIC Matura ReUnited 1 (Kellon John 61), Evolution FC 8 (Diamond Pereira 2, Karmali James 12, Aaron Clement 13, K James 18, 30, Malique Hinds 38, Kai Thomas-Robinson 52, Nathan Ramsamooj 71) at Constantine Park.

U-20

(Saturday 2 March)

MIC Matura ReUnited 0, Blue Hawks 2 (Jonathan Emrith 40, Seretse Brown 67) at Constantine Park;

Talent & Energy 3 (Jelani Stoute 5, Yohance Stoute 83, Miguel Chisholm 86), Evolution FC 4 (Ethan Trotman 14, Josiah Hypolite 44, Aimar Aqui 48, Sahrai Mitchell 87 OG) at Frederick Settlement;

Kamillionare FC 1 (Damarion Boswell 5), Cooper’s Coaching Academy 1 (Kyle Phillip 48) at Frederick Settlement;

Prison Service FC 0, Crown Trace 4 (Nicholas Martin 47, Jayden Bartholomew 50, Anthony Mohammed 73, Joshua Frederick 84) at Frederick Settlement;

East Zone

U-14

(Saturday 2 March)

FC Ginga 11 (Elijah Sampson 3, Rondell Bramble 5, Osleyker Herrera 8, Luke Bahadoosingh 21, 48, Jayshaun Waldron 26, Gabriel Teelucksingh 30, Evan Ross 61, 70, 79, Aiden Prince 69), MIC Matura ReUnited 1 (Nathaniel Emmanuel 54) at Republic Bank Grounds;

World Class 1 (Josiah Clinton 38), Maloney RF FC 2 (Zalon Bernard 49, 50) at Republic Bank Grounds;

Trincity Nationals 1 (Julius Benjamin 80), Arima Araucans 2 (Ky-Mani Moore 13, Jordan Pryce 68) at Republic Bank Grounds;

Beatnix SC 5 (Jaylan Marcano 40, Cayden Superville 55, Jerome Davis 56, Kervyn Pasqual 82, Zidan Tinto 83), FC Santa Rosa 0 at Republic Bank Grounds.

U-16

(Sunday 3 March)

Hillview College 1 (Jaylen Hinds 56), Arima Araucans 2 (Dimitre Jones 36, Cristiano Hinds 72) at Squadron Ground;

Creek SCC vs PUFA at Squadron Ground;

*–PUFA did not show

FC Ginga 4 (Orlean Herrera 22, Elijah Diaz 60, Mikel Murray 75, Jayden Lewis 87), Ultimate Unisons 0 at Squadron Ground;

World Class 7 (Marcel Valentine [3], Jimel Jerome [2], Shumba Cudjoe, Kymani Alexander), FC Santa Rosa 0 at Squadron Ground;

U-20

(Saturday 2 March)

Beatnix SC 3 (Ezekiel Ramdialsingh 20, Keisean Spence 40, Mark Thomas 45), Hillview College 2 (Zion Metivier 56, Joshua Greene 88) at Squadron Ground;

Kick Start 0, FC Ginga 8 at Squadron Ground;

Maloney RF FC 2, Malabar Young Stars 2 (Nyron Dyer [2]) at Squadron Ground;

AIA vs PUFA

*–PUFA did not show

North Zone

U-14

(Saturday 2 March)

Project Pro 2 (Luke Ferreira 29, Andre Constantine 65), Belmont AFE 0 at Moka;

Santa Cruz Utd 12 (Kevez Quintero 2, 4, 16, 70, Jahmai Caesar 6, 17, 75, Xavier Joseph 3, 16, Giovanni Hypolite 31, 68, Mackyle Perreira 61), Dibe Dragons 0 at Moka;

Cardinals FA 3 (Deron Blackman 13, 18, Malachi Polin 20), City FC 2 (Jeremai Nanton 38, 40) at Moka;

Pro Series 5 (Christiano Budhoo 9, 56, Liam La Fleur 29, Nasique George 61, 68), First Kick Academy 0 at Moka;

U-16

(Sunday 3 March)

Pro Series 9 (Alejandro Harper 20, Jasai Theophilus 28, 29, Jaseem Celestine 36, 62, Jake Barclay 42, Jaeden Samuel 57, 77, Hashim Portillo 70), Blue Hawks 0 at Moka;

City FC 2 (Shane Telfer 64, Shea Dolly 78), Santa Cruz Utd 2 (Jaydon Moraldo 18, Akeilon Sampson 45) at Moka;

Trendsetter Hawks 4 (Keysan Haynes 40, 78, Jerrel Dyett 46, Jahda Riley 77), Cardinals FA 1 (Jahmal Roberts 50) at Moka;

Prison Service 3 (Daniel Lewis 39, Yasin Dyer 46, Kemani Strose 49), Project Pro 0 at Moka.

U-20

(Saturday 2 March)

Pro Series 3 (Levi Smith 62, Jaheim Bailey 75, Tau Lamsee 90+3), Boyce 1 (Josiah Robertson 78) at Moka;

First Kick Academy 0, Seekers FC 2 (Kerron Holder 36, Jaden Matooram 76) at Moka;

Santa Cruz Utd 1 (Yohan Peruse 48), Extreme FC 1 (Jordan Simmons 32) at Moka;

City FC 5 (Luke Correia 29, Caden Trestrail 44, 73, 86, Steven Griffith 61), Cardinals FA 0 at Moka.

South Zone

U-14

(Saturday 2 March)

San F’do SA 4 (Giovanni Brooks 9, 35, Hasra Castro 15, Zavier Mitchell 32), Tiny Mikes 2 (Levi Garvin 67, Eon Sougrin 76) at Plaisance Park;

Cox Coaching School 7 (Jaylon Carrington 3, 28, 38, 63, 80, 85, Avery Emmanuel 7), GDD 2 (Aidan McDonald 48, 79) at Plaisance Park;

Premier SC 5 (Miguel Bobb 2, Ezekiel Garcia 19, Soren Shade 27, Tariq Martin 55, Zadien Rennie 76), Smart Academy 0 at Plaisance Park;

Uprising Youths 1, Union Hall Utd 4 at Guapo Recreation;

U-16

(Sunday 3 March)

Pt Fortin YA 1, Dunstan Williams Soccer Academy 0 at Guapo Recreation;

Plaisance Park Strikers 0, Smart Academy 3 (Carlon Moore 27, Aidan Leotaud 60, 68) at Plaisance Park;

Cox Coaching School 0, Union Hall Utd 1 (Jean-Marc Davis) at Guapo Recreation;

San Juan Jabloteh 1, Premier SC 3 (Orondell Parris [2], Soren Shade) at Guapo Recreation;

U-20

(Saturday 2 March)

Club Sando 2 (Jkwon Bailey 8, Ayche Allum 69), Union Hall Utd 2 (Thierry Ash 62, Abdool Saheed 90+3) at Guapo Recreation;

Gasparillo Youths 1, Penal is Love 1 at La Brea Recreation;

Southstar Sports 0, San Juan Jabloteh 11 (Ekan McLeod 6, Josiah Gobin 14, 21, J’lon Matthews 31, 45+1, Kerry Headley 35, Andell Fraser 49, 69, 70, 73, Cameron Cain 90) at Guapo Recreation;

San F’do SA 0, Premier SC 9 (Kern Cedeno 2, 47, 57, Kelon Williams 27, 63, Malachi Webb 34, 72, 85, Duane Edwards 83) at Guapo Recreation;

Tobago Zone

U-14

(Saturday 2 March)

Ball Blasters YA 6 (Jaden Anthony 28, Jahmai Gibbs 34, Zaire McMillan 40, Kisean Grant 56, 60, Ajani Phillips 70), Bethel FC 0 at Courland;

U-16

(Sunday 3 March)

TJ’s Soccer School 0, Ball Blasters YA 10 at Speyside Recreation;

Georgia FC 2, North Stars 0 at Courland;

U-20

(Saturday 2 March)

Carnbee 1, Eagles FC 3 at Speyside Recreation;

Roxborough Lakers 1, Gray’s DSA 1 at Speyside Recreation;

Bethel FC 1, Georgia FC 4 at Speyside Recreation;

Girls Tobago

(Sunday 3 March)

Combined Ballers Academy 1 (Natanya McLawrence 8), Tobago Chicas 4 (J’Elisha Alexander 22, 38, 73, Blessig Taitt 69) at Courland;

Black Panthers WSC 3 (Kaleah Duke 39, Kenyah Best OG 41, Jada Graham 60), Jewels FC 1 (Zyesha Potts 6) at Courland;

Girls Trinidad

(Sunday 3 March)

MIC Matura Utd 18, Curtis Orr Academy 0 at Republic Bank Grounds;

Pro Series 7 (Kaitlyn Darwent 5, Scarlette Cole 11, 15, Calypso Ayoung 26, Daneelyah Salandy 54, Mariah Williams 75, 77), Blue Hawks 2 (Lillian Selvon 26, Mirella Edwards 87) at Republic Bank Grounds;

San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Shinika Lewis, Natalia Honore), Eastern Counties 2 (Shernika Pantor 12, Jessica Nesbitt 80) at Republic Bank Grounds.