SSFL 24: Benedict’s edge Malick 2-1 to stay on Fatima’s tails

Two goals in the first 10 minutes of play from wingers Cam’ron Burke and Ethan Trotman were enough to guide St Benedict’s College to a 2-1 victory over Malick Secondary in Secondary School Football League (SSFL) Premier Division at St Clair today.

The result helped the southern schoolboys to remain within striking distance of leaders and defending champions, Fatima College, who defeated St Mary’s College 2-0 on Mucurapo Road.

Fatima have 16 points from six outings and are three points clear at the top of the table, while St Benedict’s—who have a game in hand against St Anthony’s College—have 13 points from five games. Both teams are unbeaten.

Arima North Secondary are the only other unbeaten team in the current season, although they slipped from third to fourth after a goalless draw against Queen’s Royal College at the Arima Velodrome.

The Dial Dynamos have four draws from the six outings, with a total of 10 points.

Presentation College (San Fernando) moved to third today with a 1-0 win over East Mucurapo Secondary at QRC grounds, with 12 points from five matches. The “Pres Lions” have a game in hand away to St Augustine Secondary.

There was movement in the lower half of the standings too as Speyside High moved from cellar position to 12th place, after a 2-1 home win over Trinity College East.

The bottom three schools at the end of the season are relegated to the second tier Championship Division.

At St Mary’s Ground, there were no concerns about demotion as second placed St Benedict’s tackled fifth place Malick. But the hosts suffered for a slow start to the fixture.

Burke put the visitors ahead after two minutes, with a right-footed shot from outside the penalty box that flew beyond the reach of Malick goalkeeper Mandell Huskerson.

And, four minutes later, St Benedict’s doubled their lead through Trotman, who took advantage of lethargic Malick defending to fire home from 20 metres.

The home team gave themselves a chance back into the game, as midfielder Josante Duncan drove home a right-footed half-volley in the 65th minute—after opposing goalie Thane Devenish failed to hold on to a free kick from Malick captain and right back Jordan Ferdinand.

But St Benedict’s maintained their one-goal lead until the final whistle, to remain on Fatima’s heels.

Malick head coach Anthony Bartholomew did not hide his disappointment at his team’s disastrous opening.

“We gave up the first 15 minutes,” Bartholomew told Wired868. “I don’t know what is the reason. This is something we have to deal with. We always have to come from behind—either to win or to draw.

“[…] Some of [our players tend to] be overconfident and that can cause a lot of problems.”

St Benedict’s could have made it 3-0 after 18 minutes of play if midfielder Lyshaun Morris found the target with a long-range effort.

Malick had their first meaningful chance to halve the deficit in the 27th minute, when winger Ronaldinho Richards evaded a couple of challenges before forcing a good save from Devenish.

Four minutes later, St Benedict’s failed to clear a corner kick and Malick captain and right-back, Jordan Ferdinand, also tested Devenish’s reflexes.

Malick utilised their wingbacks Ferdinand and Keston Singh in their attacking moves during the first half, but those plays regularly broke down because of indecisiveness about whether or not to shoot at goal or pass to a teammate.

At halftime, St Benedict’s made an offensive substitution, as Kieron Hinds replaced striker Giovanni McKnight. Hinds had a clear opportunity on goal but he could not take the shot as his attempt was saved by an onrushing Huskerson.

Four minutes later, Malick fans were in their glee when Duncan found the back of the net.

Malick had a few more opponents to convert another goal. Ferdinand shot a right-footer overbar from a tight angle, while Tyrese Manswell was denied by Devenish after a good exchange involving Duncan and Richards.

St Benedict’s assistant coach, Clint McMillan, felt his team showed Malick too much respect, especially in the second half.

“The game wasn’t contested [as] good as we expected,” said McMillan, who suggested that Malick often give improved second half showings. “There were a few hiccups. Nevertheless, we [got] the three points that we were looking for.

“[…] Instructions were given for us to play the quality football in the Malick half [but] the guys didn’t carry out the instructions at all.”

Bartholomew suggested his troops are a work in progress and commended them for showing more courage and intensity in the second half. He hopes to build on that performance against QRC on Wednesday.

“The other teams really have to watch [out],” Bartholomew said.

Teams

Malick Secondary (4-3-3): 31.Mandell Huskerson (GK); 11.Jordan Ferdinand (captain), 5.Anest De Silva, 4.Hackeem Bartholomew, 18.Keston Singh; 6.Daquon Thomas, 8.Josante Duncan, 21.Jeremiah Gabriel (10.Jaheem Homer 86); 13.Jaquan Phillips (19.Lyndell George 78), 20.Tyrese Manswell, 7.Ronaldohino Richards.

Unused substitutes: 3.Malique Mars, 12.Antonio Sealey, 14.Joshua Gabriel, 16.Jahseem Dailey, 17.Omilio Millard, 23.Immanuel Moore.

Coach: Anthony Bartholomew

St Benedict’s College (4-5-1): 22.Thane Devenish (GK); 2.Ackeem James (captain) (20.Elijah David 76), 17.Joshua Figaro, 5.Sahrai Mitchell, 18.Kylon Cayenne (6.Salim Soanes 90); 10.Cam’ron Burke, 12.Josiah Ochoa, 19.Lyshaun Morris, 13.Elijah George, 11.Ethan Trotman; 7.Giovanni McKnight (14.Kieron Hinds 46).

Unused substitutes: 1.Naftali Charles (GK); 3.Josiah Barrow, 4.Ruben Phillip, 8.Thierry Ash, 9.Jelani Stoute, 15.Malik Young, 16.Kia Robertson, 21.Malarkey Fraser.

Coach: Randolph Boyce

Referee: CJ O’Brien

Premier Division results

(Sat 28 Sep)

San Juan North 3 (Jadiel Joseph [3]), Miracle Ministries PHS 0 at Bourg Mulatrasse;

Fatima College 2 (Jahaem Bailey, Caden Trestrail), St Mary’s College 0 at Mucurapo Road;

East Mucurapo Secondary 0, Presentation (San F’do) 1 (Isaiah Jacob) at QRC Grounds;

Malick Secondary 1 (Josante Duncan 65), St Benedict’s College 2 (Cam’ron Burke 2, Ethan Trotman 6) at Serpentine Road;

Speyside High 2 (Riquelme Phillips 45+2, 66), Trinity College East 1 (Khaleem Prince 44) at Speyside;

St Augustine Secondary 3 (Marcel Valentine, Giovanni Hospedales, Shumba Cudjoe), Signal Hill Secondary 3 (Kyle James [2], Israel Trim) at Warren Street;

Arima North Secondary 0, Queen’s Royal College 0 at Arima Velodrome.

Upcoming fixtures

(Wed 2 Oct)

East Mucurapo Secondary v Trinity College East, 4pm, Mucurapo Road;

Miracle Ministries PHS v Naparima College, 4pm, Edinburgh 500;

Presentation (San F’do) v Arima North Secondary, 4pm, Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;

Queen’s Royal College v Malick Secondary, 4pm, QRC;

Speyside High v Signal Hill Secondary, 4pm, Speyside;

St Anthony’s College v Fatima College, 4pm, Westmoorings;

St Benedict’s College v San Juan North, 4pm, Mahaica Sporting Complex;

St Mary’s College v St Augustine Secondary, 4pm, Serpentine Road.