RBNYFL 24: Pro Series, Trendsetter clinch North U-16 berths; City FC miss out

Trendsetter Hawks and Pro Series will represent the North Zone in the knockout stage of the Republic Bank National Youth Football League (RBNYFL) Under-16 competition, after both closed off their league campaigns on Sunday with victories at the Trinity College Ground in Moka, Maraval.

Trendsetter Hawks are awaiting final deliberations on an unfulfilled fixture against Santa Cruz United. However, they will almost certainly finish as North U-16 zonal winners, after a 1-0 win over City FC on the weekend.

And Pro Series made sure there were no slip ups with a professional performance against Prison Service FC in one of four matches at the Moka venue on Sunday.

After a goalless first half, Hashim Portillo and Zain Griffith scored after the break to see Pro Series past a well-organised but limited Prisons outfit that posed little offensive threat.

Using a 4-3-3 formation with Portillo as their attacking focal point, Pro Series always looked the likelier team to take the lead—although, early on, they lacked the killer instinct in front of goal.

Attacker Jaseem Celestine and midfielder Alejandro Harper both went close for Pro Series in the opening half hour while, in the 36th minute, Portillo skied a right-footed effort—with the goal at his mercy—after opposing goalkeeper Justin Quammie saved a powerful shot from Jaeden Samuel.

The halftime talk from coach Kona Hislop seemed to spur on the Pro Series players at the resumption.

Three minutes into the second stanza, Portillo produced the play of the game. The striker connected with an out-swinging corner from the right with a scissors kick, which proved too hot for Quammie to handle.

Quammie was beaten again, six minutes later, by a right footed shot by Griffith which burst through hands to nestle in the back of the net.

With a two-goal cushion, Pro Series sat back and dared Prison to change their tactics and play more proactively.

Prison had an opportunity to trim the lead through a deep freekick from Kaylon Sanchez, but alert Pro Series custodian Shameal O’Brien backpedalled to make the catch—and preserve his clean sheet.

“It was a tough game,” said Hislop, a former Scotland-based professional and the younger brother of 2006 World Cup goalkeeper Shaka Hislop. “We had to stick to our game plan and, eventually, it paid off for us.

“It wasn’t our best performance but Prison are a difficult team to play against. We adjusted well and handled them well. I’m happy with the overall performance.”

Asked about what was key for his team against Prisons, Hislop replied: “In the first half, we had some good chances. We have players that are capable of doing special things and we scored two special goals today.”

The Pro Series-Prisons contest was the third game of a North Zone Boys Under-16 quadruple-header at Moka.

The day’s finale, featuring Trendsetter Hawks and City FC, was tame in comparison, with more instances of players suffering injuries and dehydration than goal-scoring moments.

In a match with few chances at goal, it took a moment of quality from Trendsetter left-back Jaquan Phillip, in the 43rd minute, to decide the outcome.

Phillip, a strapping defender who, curiously, sported the number 10 jersey, curled a 30-metre freekick from the right flank beyond the reach of City and Trinidad and Tobago National Under-16 Team goalie Jadon Pollard.

Time seemed to stand still for a few seconds before Phillip set off to celebrate his stunning set-piece with a somersault, to the delight of the fans.

Trendsetter Hawks were content to hold on to their lead, as they slowed down their tempo and let City come at them.

City had a chance to equalise in the 63rd minute, when midfielder Elijah Allahar received a throw from Benjamin Harragin but, from the edge of the penalty box, his left footed shot rebounded off the post.

Trendsetter coach Anthony Harrington gave special credit to defensive utility player Keysan Haynes, who appeared unaffected by the stop-start nature of the match as he kept things tidy for his team.

“These kids did a fantastic job, defensively and offensively,” said Harrington. “[The game] was a bit even until we made some changes. Keysan Haynes came and helped us, in central defence and midfield. He’s the hard-worker in the team.”

Neither coach felt their players were put off by the lack of flow to the contest.

“It was what we expected—it was a very scrappy and somewhat physical game,” said City coach Christian Uhre. “They scored on a dodgy freekick in my view.”

Uhre was booked by referee Garfield Weekes for protesting the awarding of the freekick. Did he think it was a bad call?

“It’s not a matter of making bad calls,” said Uhre. “The referee was not consistent in his calls.”

Phillip’s free kick was the final nail in City’s coffin and Trendsetter might even finish as zonal leaders—should they be granted point over Santa Cruz United after the latter side failed to field a team for their clash.

Now for the knockout phase, as the 2024 RBNYFL competition enters its business end.

(See below the score panel for the knockout match-ups.)

Republic Bank National Football Youth League (RBNYFL) results

Central Zone

Under-14

(Saturday 13 April)

Blue Hawks 5 (Ilano Knights 9, 72, 80, Kymani Nicholls 27, Akinyele Thomas OG 58), Evolution FC 1 (Tariq Abdul Hameed 68) at Balmain Recreation Ground;

Crown Trace FC 7 (Ajano Hypolite 13, 27, Jediah Benjamin 29, 70, Teshawn Carrington 55, Cristiano Espinoza 58, Adam Raymond 68), San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Jahiem Lessey 73) at Balmain Recreation Ground;

Creek SCC 5 (Caleb Charles OG 6, Joshua York 8, Jeremiah Edwards 32, Aaden Jones 40, J’quanni Lum 51), Talent & Energy FC 1 (Aliandro Asevero 63) at Balmain Recreation Ground;

Ultimate Unisons 3 (Gabriel Britto 14, Julius Caesar 58 pen, Jaydon De Coteau 76), HVC FC 2 (Sanjeev Mungal 34 pen, Alexander Windsor 64) at Balmain Recreation Ground;

Under-16

(Sunday 14 April)

MIC Matura ReUtd 0, Tigers FC 0 at Frederick Settlement;

Gasparillo Youths 7 (Micah Cayenne 17, 36, Deshawn Bernard 39, 55, Teeriq Pompey 56, 62, Marlakey Fraser 77), Waterloo Institute 0 at Frederick Settlement;

Beatnix SC 2 (Kanye Eastman 27, Jahmarley Ellis 76), Crown Trace FC 0 at Frederick Settlement;

Heart FC 1 (Xavier Bodkyn 54), Evolution FC 0 at Frederick Settlement;

Under-20

(Saturday 13 April)

Prison Service 3 (David Lewis 5, Zion Caterson 15, Jayden Crichlow 43), MIC Matura ReUnited 2 (Ronaldo Estwick 19, Daniel Rose 42) at Frederick Settlement;

Evolution FC 2 (Josiah Hypolite 23, Judah Chinapoo 30), Blue Hawks 0 at Frederick Settlement;

Talent & Energy FC 4 (Sahrai Mitchell 7, Kosi Yorrick 31, Miguel Chisholm 60, Gerard Patterson 87), Kamillionare FC 0 at Frederick Settlement;

Crown Trace FC 2 (Israel Outar 50, Anthony Mohammed 80), Cooper’s Coaching Academy 1 (Kyle Phillips 83) at Frederick Settlement;

East Zone

Under-14

(Saturday 13 April)

World Class 3 (Jaden La Rue 10, 13, Javon Gonzales 69), Trincity Nationals 1 (Andreas Pacheco 6) at Arima North Secondary;

FC Ginga 1 (Evan Ross 42), Beatnix SC 1 (Nigell Hockek 44) at Arima North Secondary;

Arima Araucans 2 (Nahshon Mora 36, Javan Smith 40), FC Santa Rosa 1 (Jeremiah Neptune 15) at Arima North Secondary;

Under-16

(Sunday 14 April)

Arima Araucans 1 (Kaelon La Foucade 53), FC Santa Rosa 0 at D’Abadie Recreation Ground;

HVC FC 4 (Sanjeev Mungal 12, Jaylen Hinds 14, 34, 73), Creek SCC 2 (Renaldo Punnette 67, Luke Eccles 80) at D’Abadie Recreation Ground;

FC Ginga 2 (Sherlon Nesbitt 30, Darren De Four 72), World Class 1 (Marcel Valentine 18) at D’Abadie Recreation Ground;

Ultimate Unisons 3, PUFA 0 at D’Abadie Recreation Ground;

*–Ultimate Unisons awarded game by PUFA no-show.

Under-20

(Saturday 13 April)

HVC FC 3 (Jaylen Hinds 35, 71, Joshua Green 76), FC Ginga 2 (Criston Gomez 23, Kyle Waldron 89) at D’Abadie Recreation Ground;

AIA 2 (Jean-Marc Thomas 39, Areelio Niles 60), Beatnix SC 1 (Daniel Votor 20) at D’Abadie Recreation Ground;

Maloney RF FC 3, Kick Start Academy 0 at D’Abadie Recreation Ground;

Malabar Young Stars 3, PUFA 0 at D’Abadie Recreation Ground;

*–Malabar win due to PUFA no show.

North Zone

Under-14

(Saturday 13 April)

Pro Series 2 (Jalani Williams 29, 78), Project Pro 2 (Dinari Williams 12, Immanuel Parkinson 49) at Moka;

Belmont AFE 7 (Cayden Spencer 2, Asa McLeod 13, 59, Jalani Forde 19, Daniel Radix 21, Josima Alfred 23, Isaiah Subero 55), Dibe Dragons 0 at Moka;

City FC 13 (Jeremai Nanton 8, 13, 20, Matthew Lee Young 10, 72, Brandon Chin Sang 14, 78, Keanu Sealey 16, 61, 74, Shiva Joseph Ramlal 33, Liam Hosein 37, No11 79), First Kick Academy 0 at Moka;

Cardinals Football Academy 2 (Deron Blackman 7, 36), Santa Cruz United 0 at Moka;

Under-16

(Sunday 14 April)

Cardinals Football Academy 1 (Giovanni Bartholomew 18), Project Pro 0 at Moka;

Santa Cruz Utd 2 (Ishmael Wadi OG 10, Jaydon Moraldo 55), Blue Hawks 1 (Jayden Wilson 80) at Moka;

Pro Series 2 (Hashim Portillo 44, Zain Griffith 51), Prison Service FC 0 at Moka;

Trendsetter Hawks 1 (Jaquan Phillip 43), City FC 0 at Moka;

Under-20

(Saturday 13 April)

First Kick Academy 19 (Jahime Joseph 1, 23, 52, 55, Dante Ferdinand 4, 49, Obadiah Wills 6, 25, 36, Samuel Meridin 9, Ronaldinho Richards 19, 46, 56, 59, 63, Akim De Souza 54, 67, Elijah Grant 56, 62), Santa Cruz United 2 (Dorean Bernard 12, Josiah Lopez 62) at Moka;

Boyce Sports Club 5 (Reyshawn Andrews 14, Orlando Henry 28, No9 49, Brandon Parks 51, 80), Seekers FC 1 (Kerheim St Rose 70) at Moka;

Cardinals Football Academy 3, Extreme FC 0 at Moka;

*–Extreme FC forfeit game;

Pro Series 3 (Maalik Jarvis 18, Josante Duncan 28, Logan Maingot OG 38), City FC 2 (Caden Trestrail 4, Luke Correia 55) at Moka.

South Zone

Under-14

(Saturday 13 April)

GDD Generation Next 6 (Aidan McDonald 6, 7, Dario Bailey 8, Gianluca Bailey 20, 32, 73), Tiny Mikes 1 (Richard Maharaj 12) at La Brea Recreation Ground;

Uprising Youths 3 (No11 58, No21 61, No13 76), San Fernando SA 1 (Hezekiah Gaskin 50) at La Brea Recreation Ground;

Cox Coaching School 4 (Adasa Ricardson 6, Jaylon Carrington 58, 68, Bradlei Simms 75), Premier SC 3 (Khilon Charles 30, Soren Shade 79, 80) at La Brea Recreation Ground;

Under-16

(Sunday 14 April)

PFYA 7 (Elijah David [2], Jelani Scott, J Moses OG, Michael Joseph, Isiah Lam, Khaliq Ashton), San Juan Jabloteh 0 at Guapo Recreation Ground;

Dunstan Williams SA 4 (Christian Ramkhelawan 4, 55, Jemari Mitchell 12, 29), Smart FA 0 at Guapo Recreation Ground;

Cox Coaching School 3, Plaisance Park Strikers 0 at Guapo Recreation Ground;

*–Plaisance Park Strikers did not show up

Union Hall Utd 0, Premier SC 0 at Guapo Recreation Ground;

Under-20

(Saturday 13 April)

Union Hall Utd 3, Penal Is Love 0 at Guapo Recreation Ground;

*–Penal Is Love didn’t show up.

Gasparillo Youths 3, Southstar Sports 0 at Guapo Recreation Ground;

*–Southstar Sports did not show up.

Club Sando 2 (Asa Peters 2, Ayche Allum 65), San Fernando SA 1 (Renaldo Fahey Cadiz 21) at Guapo Recreation Ground;

San Juan Jabloteh 5 (Jaheem Jacob, Andell Fraser, Russel Francois, Kerry Headley, Josiah Gobin), Premier SC 0 at Guapo Recreation Ground;

Trinidad Girls

(Sunday 14 April)

Pro Series 11 (Natalia Honore OG 12, Rasheda Archer 14, 35, 44, Hackeema Goodridge 27, Khloe Kirton 40, Mariah Williams 42, 53, Arielle McSween 74, Amelia Johnson 86, Jaeda Wilson 89), San Juan Jabloteh 0 at Arima North Secondary;

MIC Matura ReUnited 3, Eastern Counties 0 at Arima North Secondary;

*–Matura won 3-0 by default

Trincity Nationals 3, Curtis Orr Academy 0 at Arima North Secondary;

*–Trincity Nationals won 3-0 by default.

Pleasantville FC 2, Talent & Energy 0 at Balmain Recreation Ground.

RBNYFL KO Stage

Quarterfinals

Under-14

(Sunday 28 April)

Cox Coaching School v Arima Araucans Academy, 9am, Republic Bank Sports Ground;

Cardinals Football Academy v Ultimate Unisons, 11.15am, Republic Bank Sports Ground;

Creek Sports & Cultural Club v City FC, 1.30pm, Republic Bank Sports Ground;

World Class Soccer Clinic v Union Hall United, 3.45pm, Republic Bank Sports Ground;

Under-16

(Saturday 27 April)

Pt Fortin Youth Academy v Pro Series, 9am, Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;

Trendsetter Hawks v Gasparillo Youths, 11.15am, Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;

Beatnix SC v World Class Soccer Clinic, 1.30pm, Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;

FC Ginga v Union Hall Utd/ Cox CS, 3.45pm, Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;

Under-20

(Sunday 28 April)

San Juan Jabloteh v AIA, 9am, Larry Gomes Stadium;

Pro Series v Premier Sporting Club, 11.15am, Larry Gomes Stadium;

Crown Trace FC v City FC, 1.30pm, Larry Gomes Stadium;

HVC FC v Evolution FC, 3.45pm, Larry Gomes Stadium;

Trinidad Girls

(Saturday 27 April)

MIC Matura ReUnited v Crown Trace FC, 9am, Trinity College Moka;

Pleasantville FC v Eastern Counties, 11.15am, Trinity College Moka;

Talent & Energy v Trincity Nationals, 1.30pm, Trinity College Moka;

Pro Series v San Juan Jabloteh, 3.45pm, Trinity College Moka;

Semifinals

Under-14

(Saturday 11 May)

Cox Coaching School/Arima Araucans vs World Class/Union Hall, TBD;

Cardinals FA/Ultimate Unisons vs Creek SCC/City FC, TBD;

Under-16

(Saturday 11 May)

PFYA/Pro Series vs Trendsetter/Gasparillo Yths, TBD;

Beatnix SC/World Class vs FC Ginga/Union Hall/Cox CS, TBD;

Under-20

(Saturday 11 May)

Jabloteh/AIA vs Crown Trace/City FC, TBD;

Pro Series/Premier SC vs HVC FC/Evolution FC, TBD;

Trinidad Girls

(11 May)

Matura ReUtd/Crown Trace v Talent & Energy/Trincity Nationals, 9am, TBD;

Pleasantville/Eastern Counties v Pro Series/Jabloteh, 11am, TBD.