SSFL 24: Late Bernard bullet helps Speyside hold “Naps” 1-1 in San F’do

Naparima College failed to keep pace with the top six schools today, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by struggling Speyside High in Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Premier Division action at Lewis Street in San Fernando.

After a goalless first half, “Naps” thought they had done enough for all three points when captain Israel Joseph headed the hosts ahead from a Zachary Seecharan corner kick in the 75th minute.

Naparima College captain Israel Joseph (right) looks for a teammate during SSFL Premier Division action against Speyside High at Lewis Street, San Fernando on 9 October 2024.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

However, the Tobago outfit refused to leave empty handed as substitute Justin Bernard got an 87th minute equaliser with a shot from outside the penalty area, which squirmed under Naparima goalkeeper Tyrece Romain.

The loss meant the southern juggernauts slipped to eighth place behind St Augustine Secondary—although Naps have two games in hand and can climb as high as fourth if they win them both.


For St Augustine, the “Green Machine”, it was their third win on the trot today as they saw off East Mucurapo Secondary 3-0 at Warren Street in St Augustine.

Elsewhere, St Benedict’s College came from behind to edge Queen’s Royal College 2-1, with Derrel “Zoom Zoom” Garcia involved in both goals—the second of which was scored by his former National Under-20 teammate Josiah Ochoa.

St Benedict’s College captain Derrel Garcia (front) celebrates his winning goal against St Anthony’s College during SSFL Premier Division action at Westmoorings on 7 October 2024.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

Six points behind, Fatima College and Presentation College (San Fernando) did their bit to stay in the frame with emphatic wins over Signal Hill Secondary and St Mary’s College respectively.

The “Pres Lions”, who whipped St Mary’s College 5-1 at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella, have a game in hand and have not faced St Benedict’s yet this season.

The meeting of Presentation and St Benedict’s on Wednesday 23 October looks like being the decisive fixture in the 2024 title race at this stage.

At Lewis Street, the low turnout of spectators—with the covered stand less than half-full—probably spoke to the inconsistency of Naparima’s performances this year.

Naparima College midfielder Zachary Seecharan (top) is lifted off his feet by a tackle from a Speyside High player during SSFL Premier Division action at Lewis Street, San Fernando on 9 October 2024.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

There were limited goalscoring opportunities in the first 60 minutes, with the only moment of note occurring in the 14th minute. Joseph, easily the tallest player on the pitch, forced a wonderful reflex save from Speyside’s goalie Elijah Richards with a header before his follow-up effort, also off his head, went overbar.

Midway in the second half, Joseph turned provider as a diagonal ball to the right was met by substitute Arron Raymond, who shot wide with only Richards to beat.


In the end, Joseph broke the deadlock himself. The Naparima captain was picked out by Seecharan’s left-sided corner and placed his downward header to the left of Richards in the 75th minute.

Speyside did not let that setback faze them, as they continued to battle hard—both in defence and in attack.

Speyside High attacker Riquelme Phillips (right) tries to protect the ball from Naparima College defender Jeremiah Daniel during SSFL Premier Division action at Lewis Street, San Fernando on 9 October 2024.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

Midfielder Samuel Solomon drilled a shot from 30 metres out, causing an uncertain Romain to hesitate before pushing the ball out for a corner.

And, eight minutes later, Speyside took advantage of another lapse by the Naps goalkeeper after Bernard got around opposing centre-back Darius Procope and drove his equaliser under Romain’s body.

Speyside assistant coach Ryan Stewart did not view Bernard’s goal as a goalkeeping error.

Speyside High attacker Justin Bernard (left) rifles home a late equaliser against Naparima College in a SSFL Premier Division contest at Lewis Street, San Fernando on 9 October 2024.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

“I think that shot was put away nicely,” Stewart told Wired868. “The keeper went full stretch and got his hand to it, so I wouldn’t call that a blunder.”

Stewart, who filled in for absent head coach Ako Stewart, was heartened by the shift he got from his players today:

“It was a real competitive game, real physical,” he said. “The guys really [fought] hard, and although we were down, we didn’t drop [our] heads.

Speyside High substitute Justin Bernard (second from left) celebrates his equalising goal against Naparima College with teammates during SSFL Premier Division action at Lewis Street, San Fernando on 9 October 2024.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

“We [fought] hard to get back into the game, and that’s a good spirit. We want to maintain that spirit going forward into the next set of games.”

Speyside, Stewart explained, have been paying attention to the defensive side of their game, after conceding 16 times in their first six matches. At present, they are 15th in the 16-team table with the bottom three sides due for relegation to the Championship.

“[We have been trying] to keep it tight, keep it solid between the midfield and the defence,” said Stewart. “Each area has to work together. We try to keep it organised. It was a tough one with the goal from the corner, but otherwise, I think the guys put in a good shift in defence.”

Speyside High midfielder Shyon George (left) tries to hold off Naparima College defender Jaydon Caprietta during SSFL Premier Division action at Lewis Street, San Fernando on 9 October 2024.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

Speyside played Presentation on 5 October and St Augustine on 7 October. On Saturday, when they play Fatima on Mucurapo Road, the “Country Boys” would be playing their fourth game in eight days.

“Our problem right now is recovery,” he said. “We have to be travelling more than everybody else. Most of our players are living in Scarborough, so they have to [commute] more than an hour just to get to school.

“The League has to find a way to make it easy for us at times.”

Speyside High assistant coach Ryan Stewart (left) passes on instructions to his players during a break in play against Naparima College in SSFL Premier Division at Lewis Street, San Fernando on 9 October 2024.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

Naparima head coach Reynold Carrington missed today’s game because of a family bereavement, and his deputy Densill Theobald took the reins. Theobald said the players hoped to win for their grieving head coach—but it was not to be.

“Unfortunately, it didn’t go according to plan,” said Theobald. “It was a disappointing display from the boys—one of our worst performances. We know what they are capable of but they weren’t able to show it today.”

“They’re young [but] the inconsistencies of their performances are really hurting us this season. We just have to work continuously on the training pitch to make those corrections and those strides that would enable us to display top-class performances.

Naparima College assistant coach Densill Theobald (right) tries to get a reaction from his players during SSFL Premier Division action against Speyside High at Lewis Street, San Fernando on 9 October 2024.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

“[…] You have to come out and show your qualities to be able to separate yourself from the opposition. If it’s not done, the game becomes difficult.

“We knew that it was going to be competitive. All the teams in the League [are] not easy.”

Naparima host St Mary’s College next on Saturday. It is a clash between eighth (Naps) and tenth (St Mary’s) in the Premier Division standings.

Naparima College captain Israel Joseph (centre) is unable to keep a header down during SSFL Premier Division action against Speyside High at Lewis Street, San Fernando on 9 October 2024.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

“It’s important to get back to winning ways in our next match and continue for the rest of the season,” said Theobald, whose Naparima team is one of the youngest outfits in the league. “We have to pick ourselves up and keep going.”

Teams

Naparima College (4-5-1): 1.Tyrece Romain (GK); 2.Jeremiah Daniel, 22.Shabani Thompson, 19.Darius Procope, 5.Jaydon Caprietta; 21.Jabari Rodriguez (10.Zachary Seecharan 71), 9.Xarion France (23.Arron Raymond 63), 8.Jerrel Cooper, 20.Israel Joseph (captain), 11.Akiel Vesprey (6.Ryan Radellant 63), 12.Mikhail Clement (17.Kereem Alexander 71).

Unused substitutes: 25.Adriano Baptiste (GK); 4.Antonio Hills, 7.Asa Peters, 14.Donovan Drayton, 16.Darion Hernandez, 18.Adasa Richardson, 24.Sebastian James.

Assistant coach: Densill Theobald

Speyside High School (3-5-2): 1.Elijah Richards (GK); 4.Milz Johnson, 11.Daishawn Bradshaw (captain), 5.Jonathan Peters; 15.Isaiah Mundy, 7.Shyon George (16.Elijah Melville 81), 8.Samuel Solomon, 6.Camron Bovell, 9.Daviel Thomas (19.Adonis Warrick 84); 14.Micha Walton (13.Justin Bernard 72), 10.Riquelme Phillips.

Unused substitutes: 22.Dejuan Quashie (GK); 2.Raheim Phillips; 12.Jayden Wilson, 17.Jaden Baptiste, 18.Jamal Horsford.

Assistant coach: Ryan Stewart

Referee: Cecile Hinds

Referee Cecile Hinds (centre) intervenes as tempers flare between Naparima College (pink shirts) and Speyside High players during their SSFL Premier Division clash at Lewis Street, San Fernando on 9 October 2024.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

Premier Division results

(Wed 9 Oct)

Naparima College 1 (Israel Joseph 75), Speyside High 1 (Justin Bernard 87) at Lewis Street;

Signal Hill Secondary 2 (Raevion Marshall 31, Kyle James 40), Fatima College 6 (Jahaem Bailey 20, 61, Luke Correia 53, Caden Trestrail 56, 75, Michael Chaves 69) at Signal Hill;

Malick Secondary 4 (Josante Duncan, Anest Da Silva, Tyrese Manswell, Lyndell George), San Juan North 3 (Jaheem Danclar [2], OG) at Westmoorings;

Arima North Secondary 5 (Zion Metivier 7, 34, Jahmarley Caleb 59, Criston Gomez 80, Cristiano Hinds 88), Miracle Ministries PHS 0 at Arima Velodrome;

Presentation (San F’do) 5 (Josiah Bain [2], Vaughn Clement [2], Isaiah Jacob), St Mary’s College 1 (Alejandro Harper) at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;

Queen’s Royal College 1 (Stephon James), St Benedict’s College 2 (Derrel Garcia, Josiah Ochoa) at QRC;

St Augustine Secondary 3 (Shumba Cudjoe, Ky-mani Hazel, OG), East Mucurapo Secondary 0 at Warren Street;

Trinity College East 0, St Anthony’s College 2 (Andell Fraser 42, 49) at Trincity;

2024 SSFL Premier Division

PosClubPWDLFAGDPts
11513203672941
215112248143435
315112233102335
41490533201327
51466224111324
6156452619722
7156362121021
8156273032-220
9156182528-319
10155191729-1216
11124352022-215
12154381134-2315
131541102030-1013
14133371828-1012
151430111024-149
16152112851-437

Upcoming fixtures

(Sat 12 Oct)

Malick Secondary v Presentation (San F’do), 4pm, Serpentine Road;

Trinity College East v Arima North Secondary, 4pm, Trincity;

East Mucurapo Secondary v St Benedict’s College, 3.30pm, QRC grounds;

Fatima College v Speyside High, 4pm, Mucurapo Road;

Miracle Ministries PHS v Signal Hill Secondary, 4pm, Edinburgh 500;

Naparima College v St Mary’s College, 4pm, Lewis Street;

St Anthony’s College v Queen’s Royal College, 4pm, Westmoorings;

St Augustine Secondary v San Juan North, 4pm, Warren Street.

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