RBNYFL 25: Cardinals take North U-17 title, as Trendsetter stun Pro Series

Cardinals Football Academy thrashed Project Pro 8-0 to take the Republic Bank National Youth Football League (RBNYFL) North Zone Under-17 title in style on Sunday at Mucurapo.

Striker Karim Millington notched four goals while defender Jaylon Roberts netted a double to help Cardinals to their first crown in this division. In the process, they laid down the gauntlet for their opponents in the knockout round.

“History in the making—things we were looking forward to since last year,” said Cardinals coach Nathaniel Johnson. “This is what the guys have been working towards for a year and finally we are here.”

Arguably, Cardinals were the sub-plot on the day though. Pro Series, already crowned 2025 Under-14 and Under-20 champions, started the weekend at the top of the North Zone Under-17 standings as well.

One more win would probably have been enough for Pro Series to take zonal honours. A draw would have guaranteed a place in the RBNYFL Under-17 quarterfinals.

But, against the fierce Trendsetter Hawks, Pro Series managed neither—as the Hawks swept to a high-octane 4-0 win, which saw them leapfrog Pro Series into the knockout phase of the competition.

“All praise to Allah. We put in a lot of hard work during the week and it is always good to see the work playing off on matchday,” Trendsetter coach Travis Mulraine said.

Pro Series and Trendsetter Hawks opened the final round of North Zone Under-17 fixtures at Mucurapo West Secondary on Sunday, while Cardinals players watched nervously from the sidelines.

Pro Series, the 2025 RBNYFL National Under-16 champions, packed some serious heat with their midfield trio of Jalen Hislop, Troy Bruno, and Jordan Grant capable of undoing the tightest defences.

Mulraine, who said he worked on freekicks and finishing with his team during the week, brought in defender Malique Marshall after the 14-year-old impressed in a practice match against the Anthony Sherwood Football Academy.

The Trendsetter coach, a former national player, also had in his ranks the talented forward Gabriel Frederick, whose skill, swagger, and warrior-like mentality made the early difference.

Trendsetter Hawks’ early raids came to nothing and it was Pro Series who had the first significant attempt at goal.

Pro Series winger Jaeden Samuel cut in from the left and fired off a right-footed blast towards goal. However, Trendsetter goalkeeper Akinlade Jones was ready for it—he dived full stretch to his left and palmed the ball onto the top of the crossbar.

Trendsetter responded with a brace of free kicks, just inside the Pro Series half. The first was battered harmlessly into the wall, but the second, from midfielder Hezekiah Charles, was a gem that arrowed into the top corner of the net.

Shamael O’Brian, in goal for Pro Series, got a hand to it—but it was not a firm enough touch to keep it out.

As Hislop called for more effort from this team, Mulraine’s troops were warming nicely to their tasks.

They doubled their lead four minutes later as a clipped cross into the box found Jahda Riley unmarked and he headed in for 2-0.

Pro Series sought a quick reply and Samuel shot just wide. At the other end, Frederick failed to convert two decent chances to score for the Hawks.

The Sea Lots native, however, made amends shortly after. Feigning to shoot with his left foot, Frederick suddenly turned onto his right and fired into the net off the upright.

Trendsetter Hawks were 3-0 ahead inside 22 minutes and had a foot in the quarter-finals.

Pro Series continued to press for a goal and were almost rewarded in the 25th minute, when Kai Williams hit the bar.

Chances came at either end and, as the end of the first half approached, the simmering tensions beneath the surface came to full boil. Two players squared up after a tackle and the match officials had to move quickly to stamp out the flames of discord.

Goal scorer Riley got a yellow card for his part in the disturbance. And it would not be the last time the two teams came together to debate the finer points of the game.

In the second half, Pro Series tried to match the aggression of their opponents and carved out two early chances. Again, they found Jones in superb form.

But at the other end, O’Brian, who had been solid up to that point, made a horrible error.

Despite some rainfall on Saturday across North Trinidad, the field at Mucurapo was still as hard as Chinese algebra. And, six minutes after the resumption, a volleyed shot by substitute Kadeem Morrison bounced awkwardly in front of O’Brian and went through his flailing hands.

The young goalkeeper was a picture of dismay and, at 4-0, his teammates knew that the game was well and truly gone.

Frustrations bubbled to the surface again shortly after with both sets of players getting involved in a shoving match.

A substitute ran onto the field and a parent also followed to restrain another young footballer. No sooner had the officials got things patched up that another flare-up occurred, only minutes later.

And it was a surprise that Riley was the only person cautioned by referee Mark Benny in the contest.

A football match did emerge from the chaos in the closing minutes.

Xavier Caruth hit the foot of the Trendsetter Hawks post, while Hislop also missed a chance at the far post to earn a consolation.

Benny brought an end to the match without adding any injury time, with Trendsetter Hawks running out 4-0 winners.

Pro Series coach Kona Hislop felt his team were a bit unlucky on the day but was magnanimous in defeat.

“We hit the bar a few times, and they took their chances,” said Hislop, who is also Jalen’s father. “All credit to Trendsetters. You have to give them a lot of credit. They had to win this game today. They came and they did their job and they won.”

For Mulraine, his work done on the training pitch paid dividends.

“We did a lot of freekicks during this week,” he said. “We did a lot of finishing, reverse passing—a lot of stuff like that. To see these guys execute, it is a coach’s dream.”

Mulraine scouted the Pro Series team and tuned his team to starve their opponent’s midfield of the ball.

“We realize that they have very good ball handlers at the middle of the park so that was where we had to pay attention to,” he said. “We allowed the defenders to have the ball and it worked.”

For Hislop, the difference between the teams was not battlefield calculus but the superior mentality on the day.

“We did not match them with the aggression and we have to learn from these things. We were unlucky with the goals,” he said.

Both coaches put the disturbances in the game down to youthful exuberance while admitting that it was not the best optics for the game.

“We have a healthy rivalry with them,” said Hislop. “It is the same boys playing in the same age groups every year, so there is bound to be a bit of tension.

“Even though at times it was a little over the top, it was just passion and we know that we have to channel it better in the future.”

“You know these youths these days, they are a bit over-aggressive,” said Mulraine. “You know the culture that we live in today. It is up to us as adults to teach them the right mannerisms and how to carry about themselves.”

With Pro Series defeated, goal difference was no longer a consideration for Cardinals as they warmed up to take on struggling Project Pro.

The Mandela Park-based team just needed a win against their neighbors, who also train at the Port-of-Spain field.

Cardinals, which won the U14 titles in the North Zone in 2023 and 2024, now stood on the brink of adding the U17 title to their list of honours.

Their two biggest goal threats in the tournament have been their center forward Karim Millington, and center back Jaylon Roberts.

The pair could not be more different,

The slim, pacy Millington is a fan of Cristiano Ronaldo and attempts to emulate his idol’s ability to finish with both feet and through thumping headers.

Roberts, stocky and powerful with a bazooka for a left foot, is the team’s free-kick specialist and has a flair for spectacular goals.

Together, this unlikely pairing combined to produce the bulk of Cardinals’ goals for the season and on the day.

Millington got the ball rolling in the seventh minute, sweeping in a cross from Giovanni Bartholomew. The pair combined again four minutes later, this time Millington heading in to double his tally.

Zachary Dixon would then lob the Project Pro goalkeeper Jevonte De Four in the 24th minute to hand his team a solid 3-0 lead going into the second half.

Roberts was allowed to join the attack in the second half, and he made his presence felt quickly after. He slammed a pass from Isaiah Morris in the 51st minute and, two minutes later, he drifted out to the right flank from where he crossed for Millington to fire in his hat-trick at the near post.

On the hour mark, Roberts again found Millington’s near post run and the striker notched his fourth goal.

“Robbie”, as he is affectionately known to Cardinals supporters, fired in a seventh goal for his team, before helping to set up captain Liam Hosein’s goal with two minutes to go.

Roberts was taken off to generous applause from the Cardinals supporters—although the St Mary’s College student departed remonstrating with two teammates who missed his cross inside the six-yard box before Hosein’s tap in.

Roberts and Millington both finished with 13 goals in the group phase.

“I am more happy for the boys—it is a real emotional point because I know how hard they worked,” said Cardinals coach Johnson.

“I know the preparation and the time it took to give everybody the minutes that they deserved.

“It is a really great feeling of gratitude. It is a mixture of emotions right now.”

Project Pro coach Rawle Felix said Roberts’ second half performance was decisive.

“Roberts’ performance was beyond what I expected because I have seen him play before. Today he was really on top of his game,” he said.

“When that happened, they got one or two goals and it dispirited some of the players. Hence, I decided to make some subs and give some of the younger players an opportunity.”

With the preliminary round done and dusted in the North Zone, Johnson has already turned his focus to the knockout round.

“I believe I can go all the way,” said the Cardinals coach. “[…] I am just waiting for the draw to see who we end up with.

“I know for sure we are high out of the eight [teams] because of the goal difference and the table. I feel we have a good chance.”

(Teams)

Pro Series (4-3-3): 00.Shamael O’Brian (GK); 12.Jonathan Darwent, 4.Xavier Caruth, 5.Tristan Jackman (captain), 3.Gervais Frederick; 8.Tyler Jalen Hislop, 20.Troy Bruno, 18.Jordan Grant; 9.Jaeden Samuel, 11.Jake Barclay, 10.Kai Williams.

Substitutes: 1. Jaiden Barnett, 6.Alejandro Harper, 7.Tyler Edwards, 13.Ethan St Louis, 14.Giovanni Garcia, 15.Ajani Glasgow, 16.Sampson Williams, 17.Neomiah Thompson, 19.Ezekiel Bernard.

Coach: Kona Hislop.

Trendsetter Hawks (4-3-3): 00.Akinlade Jones (GK); 6.Malcolm Young, 16.Joshua Jackson, 4.Malique Marshall, 7.Kewenis Saunders; 12.Jahda Riley, 2.Hezekiah Charles, 13.Keysan Haynes (captain); 10.Jaquan Phillip, 19.Gabriel Frederick, 11.Kadeem Morrison.

Substitutes: 3.Israel Simmons, 5.Obama Hospedales, 9.Jahseem Pierre, 14.Jayden Hutchinson, 15.Isaiah Blackman, 20.Thy Stafford, 21.Jumoke Gellineau.

Coach: Travis Mulraine.

Referee: Mark Benny.

Cardinals SCC (4-2-3-1): 1.Estafan Gift (GK); 19.Zayne Claverie, 4.Kristoff Eugene, 5.Jaylon Roberts, 2.Amari Seon; 6.Liam Hosein (captain), 8.Isaiah Morris; 9.Zachary Dickson, 10.Deron Blackman, 11.Giovanni Bartholomew; 7.Karim Millington.

Substitutes: 8.Nathaniel Lawrence, 14.D’Angelo Gonzales, 17.Joshua Rodney, 20.Nicholas Lucas, 22.Josiah Gordon, 27.Kevon Wickham, 28.Jamri Gilkes, 29.Christiano Budhoo, 58.Israel Best.

Coach: Nathaniel Johnson.

Project Pro (4-3-3): 20.Jevonte De Four (GK); 4.Luke Greenidge, 23.Kanye Glasgow, 16.Ajani Thomas, 3.Nikolai Bartlett; 10.Triston Belmontes, 8.Olamayoua Oladiran (captain), 2.Kimanni Baldwin; 31.Zachary Nicome, 7.Kymani Thomas, 11.Kyle Blugh.

Substitutes: 9.Julian Cruickshank, 12.William Hart, 22.Luke Ferreira, 25.Israel Flemming.

Coach: Rawle Felix.

Referee: Caleb Ollivierre.

RBNYFL 2025 weekend results

Central Zone

Boys Under-14

(Sunday 5 April)

Premier SC 2 (Khilon Charles 59, Soren Shade 62), Waterloo Tigers 0 at Frederick Settlement;

Cooper’s Academy vs Maloney RFA at Frederick Settlement;

*–Cooper’s Academy win by default;

T&T Maestros vs Crown Trace FC at Frederick Settlement;

*–Maestros win by default.

U-14 Standings (Played-Won-Drew-Lost-Goals For-Goals Against-Points)

Premier SC         6-6-0-0-30–1–18

T&T Maestros    6-4-1-1-15-5-13

FC Tigers            6-4-0-2-15-8-12

Waterloo Tigers 6-3-1-2-12-7-10

Crown Trace      7-2-0-5-14-25-6

Cooper’s CA       6-1-1-4-11-26–4

Maloney RFA     6-1-1-4-9-24-4

Evolution FC      5-0-2-3-10-20-2

Boys Under-17

(Sunday 6 April)

City FC 4 (Roscoe Lovelace, Matthew Lee Young, Darrion Bellerand, Finn de Freitas), Kamillionare FC 2 at Frederick Settlement;

FC Tigers 5 (Che Gonzales 16, Elijah Noel 28, Othniel La Fleur 50, 55, Jason Gamaldo 72) Gasparillo Youths 0 at Frederick Settlement;

Crown Trace FC 0, FC Ginga 6 (Kafense McKell 19, Darren De Four 27, Hassan Edghill 46, Elijah Diaz 52, Inshan Miller 55, Aaden Maharaj 77) at Frederick Settlement;

U-17 Standings (Played-Won-Drew-Lost-Goals For-Goals Against-Points)

Beatnix SC          7-6-0-1-21-5-18

FC Ginga            7-6-0-1-14-2–18

City FC               7-5-1-1-14-7-16

Crown Trace      7-2-2-3-12-17-8

Gasparillo Yths  7-2-0-5-6-14-6

Premier SC         6-2-0-4-11-12-6

FC Tigers           7-2-0-5-8-20–6

Kamillionare      6-0-1-5-5-14-1

Boys Under-20

(Saturday 5 April)

Evolution FC 1 (Zion Thompson 63), Cooper’s Coaching Academy 5 (Dusan Cooper 25, Elijah Wong 36, 90+2, Nathan Wong 59, J Bartholomew 87) at UTT/ Valsayn;

Harlem Strikers 0, Premier SC 7 (Marcario Morton 3, Brandon Parks 12, Akini Ramsey 7, Duane Edwards 15, Jabari Rodriguez 22, Christian Gopaul 65, Enesio Williams 73) at UTT/ Valsayn.

U-20 Standings (Played-Won-Drew-Lost-Goals For-Goals Against-Points)

Premier SC         7-6-1-0-21-5-19

Crown Trace      6-3-3-0-20-12-12

Kamillionare      5-2-2-1-9-10-8

Cooper’s CA       7-2-3-2-17-13-9

Boyce SCC          5-1-3-1-10-10-6

Evolution FC      6-1-2-3-10-13-5

Prison FC            5-1-2-2-9-10-5

Harlem St’rs       7-0-0-7-2–26–0

East Zone

Boys Under-14

(Saturday 5 April)

AIA Eagles 0, San Juan Jabloteh 11 (Asaiah Alexander 5, 23, 32, 33, 47, 50, 55, 63, 66, 67, Siddique Salandy 39) at Arima Velodrome;

FC Santa Rosa 0, Arima Araucans 1 (Janio Marcano 31) at Arima Velodrome;

Creek SCC 4 (Aaden Jones 40, 43, 57, 66), Cardinals FA 1 at Arima Velodrome;

Beatnix SC 2 (Devonte Saldenha 35 pen, Zidan Tinto), Blue Hawks 2 (Ajani George 66, Abayomi Hope 68) at Arima Velodrome;

U-14 Standings (Played-Won-Drew-Lost-Goals For-Goals Against-Points)

Beatnix SC    7-5-2-0-22-5–17

Creek SCC    7-4-2-1-30-6-14

Blue Hawks   7-4-2-1-15-10-14

Araucans        7-4-0-3-8-7-12

Jabloteh         7-3-2-2-22-8-11

Cardinals FA 7-2-1-4-13-17-7

Santa Rosa     7-1-0-6-7-25-3

AIA                 7-0-1-6-1–38–1

Boys Under-17 Division

(Sunday 6 April)

San Juan Jabloteh 7, Blue Hawks 1 at St Augustine;

Maloney RFA 3, Arima Araucans 1 (Garrick Thomas) at St Augustine;

FC Santa Rosa 0, Trincity Nationals 0 at St Augustine;

Creek SCC 2, AIA Eagles 3 at St Augustine;

U-17 Standings (Played-Won-Drew-Lost-Goals For-Goals Against-Points)

Jabloteh          7-7-0-0-32–2–21

Maloney RFA 7-5-1-1-21-8-16

Santa Rosa     7-2-3-2-9-13-9

Trincity Nat   7-2-2-3-8-10-8

Araucans        7-2-1-4-9-10-7

AIA                 7-2-1-4-11-24–7

Blue Hawks    7-2-0-5-8-20-6

Creek SCC     7-2-0-4-10-21-6

U-20 Standings (Played-Won-Drew-Lost-Goals For-Goals Against-Points)

QPCC             5-4-1-0-27–5–13

Jabloteh          5-4-0-1-20-9-12

FC Ginga        5-3-1-1-18-7-10

Tinto’s SA      5-2-0-3-14-22-6

Adrenaline     5-1-0-4-4-23–3

AIA                 5-0-0-5-5-22-0

North Zone

Boys Under-14

(Saturday 5 April)

AC POS 1 (Mikhi Miguel James 66), City FC 8 (Eli-Akim Nelson 4 pen, 26, Jiair Nanton 24, 32, Keanu Sealey 43, 46, Scott Thompson 60, Aiden Barker 72) at Mucurapo East Secondary;

Pro Series 3 (Kymanni Nicholls 5, Zaa’van Joseph 8, Nasique George 16), Moka Lions 3 (Anthony King 49, Terrell Harris 60 pen, 67) at East Mucurapo Secondary;

Project Pro 1 (Christian Morean 44), Dibe Dragons 3 (Trevon Reefer 49, Colelle Marcano 70, Kemuel Forte 70+5) at East Mucurapo Secondary;

Trendsetter Hawks 6 (Nickel Gordon 28, Israel Wickham 33, 41, 64, Kyle Padmore 36, OG 37), Santa Cruz United 0 at East Mucurapo Secondary;

U-14 Standings (Played-Won-Drew-Lost-Goals For-Goals Against-Points)

Pro Series       7-6-1-0-27-6-19

City FC           7-5-1-1-29-5-16

Trendsetter    7-5-1-1-24-3-16

Santa Cruz     7-2-2-3-9-16-8

Moka Lions    7-2-2-3-13-12-8

Project Pro     7-1-1-5-8-18-4

Dibe Dragons 7-2-1-4-8-24-7

AC POS          7-0-1-6-4–38–1

Boys Under-17 

(Sunday 6 April)

Pro Series 0, Trendsetter Hawks 4 (Hezekiah Charles 11, Jahda Riley 15, Gabriel Frederick 21, 46) at Mucurapo West Secondary;

Cardinals 8 (Karim Millington 7, 13, 53, 60, Zachary Dickson 24, Jaylon Roberts 51, 75, Liam Hosein 78) Project Pro 0 at Mucurapo West Secondary;

Santa Cruz United 1 (Ozahia Danclar), AC POS 6 (Jahlon Stewart 28, 43, 50, Zane Carthy 23, Kaylon Carasquero 64, Joshua Hercules 74) at Mucurapo West Secondary;

U-17 Standings (Played-Won-Drew-Lost-Goals For-Goals Against-Points)

Cardinals       7-6-1-0-43-6-19

Trendsetter    7-6-0-1-41-6-18

Pro Series       7-5-1-1-36-5–16

AC POS          7-3-0-4-22-13-9

Santa Cruz     7-2-1-4-11-22-7

Project Pro     6-2-0-4-12-22-6

Maestros         6-0-1-5-8-31-1

Betis TT          5-0-0-4-1–69–0

Boys Under-20 

(Saturday 5 April)

City FC 6, Extreme FC 0 at Mucurapo;

Pro Series 13, Miscellaneous Laventille 0 at Mucurapo;

U-20 Standings (Played-Won-Drew-Lost-Goals For-Goals Against-Points)

Pro Series       7-7-0-0-53–4–21

City FC           7-6-0-1-37-6-18

Trendsetter     6-3-1-2-33-10-10

Extreme FC   6-3-0-3-24-15-9

Moka Lions    6-2-1-3-10-18-7

Seekers FC     6-1-0-5-5-29-3

Betis TT          4-1-0-3-3–45–3

Laventille       6-0-0-6-3-46-0

South Zone

U-14 Standings (Played-Won-Drew-Lost-Goals For-Goals Against-Points)

Pt Fortin YFA 4-4-0-0-22–2–12

Cox Coaching  5-3-0-1-19-7-12

DWSA              5-2-1-2-16-14-7

Uprising Yths   4-1-2-1-7-8-5

Carrat Shed     5-1-1-3-6-20-4

Tiny Mike’s      5-0-0-4-2–21–0

U-17 Standings (Played-Won-Drew-Lost-Goals For-Goals Against-Points)

Cox Coaching   7-6-1-0-19-6-19

Pt Fortin YFA  7-4-3-0-23–3–15

Uprising Yths   7-4-1-2-18-11-13

Evolution FA    7-3-2-2-10-13-11

Moka Lions       7-2-3-2-13-8-9

DWSA               7-2-2-3-11-12-8

Carrat Shed      7-1-0-6-11-29-3

Penal Is Love    7-0-0-7-7–30–0

U-20 Standings (Played-Won-Drew-Lost-Goals For-Goals Against-Points)

Club Sando      5-4-1-0-14–5–13

Police FC          5-4-0-1-13-5–12

Gasparillo Yth 5-2-1-2-9-7-7

Mayo Youth     4-2-0-2-8-11–6

Carrat Shed     5-0-1-4-4-13-1

Penal Is Love    4-0-1-3-2-9-1

Tobago Zone

U-14 Standings (Played-Won-Drew-Lost-Goals For-Goals Against-Points)

Ball Blasters    5-5-0-0-36–2–15

St Clair CS      5-4-1-0-15-4-13

Bro Ry FA       6-4-0-2-17-8-12

Jaric Titans     6-2-0-4-24-14-6

Bethel Utd       5-1-1-3-5-11-4

Stokely Vale    4-1-0-3-3-15-3

Georgia FC     5-0-0-5-2–48–0

U-17 Standings (Played-Won-Drew-Lost-Goals For-Goals Against-Points)

Ball Blasters    4-4-0-0-24–0–12

Georgia FC     4-2-1-1-12-12-7

North Stars     4-2-0-2-7-8-6

Bro Ry FA       4-1-1-2-4-6-4

Jaric Titans     4-1-1-2-4-15–4

TJ’s Academy 4-0-1-3-3-13-1

U-20 Standings (Played-Won-Drew-Lost-Goals For-Goals Against-Points)

Sidey’s SC      4-2-2-0-4-1-8

Stokely Vale   4-2-1-1-6-4-7

FC Phoenix    4-2-0-2-4-7-6

Eagles FC        4-1-2-1-7-5-5

Tobago Select  4-1-1-2-7–7–4

Georgia FC      4-0-2-2-2-6-2

Girls Under-17

Trinidad

(Sunday 6 April)

AIA Eagles 0, Trendsetter Hawks 4 (Amaya Nero 26, Jayda Herbert 48, 69, Shiprah Alleyne 71) at Republic Bank Sports Ground;

Blue Hawks 0, AC POS 10 at Republic Bank Sports Ground;

Crown Trace vs Pro Series at Republic Bank Sports Ground;

*–Pro Series win by default;

T’dad Standings (Played-Won-Drew-Lost-Goals For-Goals Against-Points)

Pro Series        5-5-0-0-23-6-15

Cox Coaching 6-3-2-1-16-9-11

Trendsetter     5-3-1-1-20-4–10

Crown Trace   5-3-0-2-10-10-9

AIA Eagles      5-2-1-2-12-4-7

AC POS          5-0-0-5-1-20-0

Blue Hawks    5-0-0-5-2-31–0

Tobago Standings (Played-Won-Drew-Lost-Goals For-Goals Against-Points)

Tobago Chicas       4-4-0-0-5-0–12

Jewels SC               4-1-2-1-7-4-5

Black Panthers      4-1-1-2-3-4-4

Combined Ballerz 4-0-1-3-1–8–1