SSFL 25: Blandin inspires San Juan North to opening win against struggling TCE

San Juan North Secondary grabbed three valuable points today, after a slow start to their season, as they outgunned bottom-placed Trinity College East 4–2 in an all-east SSFL Premier Division clash at Bourg Mulatresse.

The win propelled the “San Juan Kings” to eighth spot with four points from three games, although—with a backlog of fixtures—it is still too early to worry about the standings for most teams.

Trinity East do have to worry, though. Four games with zero points and a goal differential of minus-17 does not require much context.

At the other end of the table, Naparima College stayed perfect with a 3-0 win over Malick Secondary, thanks to a double from former National Under-15 midfielder Riquelme Phillips.

And second-placed St Mary’s College are scoring goals for fun, as they thumped Scarborough Secondary 5-0—the third consecutive match in which they scored a handful.

There were narrow wins too for teams placed third to sixth as Presentation College (San Fernando), Fatima College, St Augustine Secondary and Queen’s Royal College held off St Benedict’s College, Trinity College (Moka), Carapichaima East Secondary and St Anthony’s College respectively.

At Bourg Mulatresse, though, thoughts were more on survival than silverware—with San Juan North and Trinity East both hoping to overcome poor starts to the season.

TCE took a surprise lead in the 9^th minute through right winger Elijah Diaz, only for the home team to respond immediately in the heavy field conditions—with goals from striker Anthony Lewis and left midfielder Daniel Lewis in the 10^th and 11^th minutes.

San Juan North were dictating terms with Lewis and fellow midfielder Jamaludin Blandin particularly influential. But they were struggling to get anywhere near to Trinity East goalkeeper Elijah Lawrence.

And in the 29^th minute, Trinity East put together a rare passing exchange which culminated in a hopeful cross into the opposing box by left winger Jakwon Howell.

Back-tracking San Juan North centre back Malique Marrast got his head to the ball, but only managed to knock it past his own goalkeeper.

Little else happened in the first half, which ended 2-2, with home supporters still venting over Trinity East’s equaliser and San Juan’s general approach.

One female supporter insisted that San Juan coach Jerry Moe had to put versatile attacker, Jahdel Chase-Charles, on to the field—sooner rather than later. Another was equally certain that he was in his rightful place on the bench.

Chase-Charles would give fans more to discuss later on.

Trinity East started the second half stringing passes together and striker Richards Edwards forced a save from Lawrence, with an effort from outside the box.

Grumbling San Juan North supporters began to hint that it was not their day.

Then, in the 64^th minute, Moe introduced Chase-Charles. And, after just two minutes on the field, the elegant attacking midfielder swung the game in the hosts’ favour with a cross at the far post, which flanker Jaheem Danclar headed into an unguarded net.

Smiles returned to San Juan—the feeling of relief palpable. And, among the supporters, an animated discussion on Chase-Charles’ value to the young Kings resumed.

It was bustling midfielder, Blandin, who put the game to bed, though.

In the 70^th minute, Blandin received the ball at the top of the six-yard box, held off opposing centre back Javon Denoon, then guided the ball past Wadi in the Trinity goal.

It was a well-earned reward for one of the game’s standout players.

The three points now seemed all but safe, but the home supporters wanted one more goal.

Chase-Charles could have provided it.

First, he passed to no one when a shot seemed the most likely course of action. Then, in the dying minutes, Chase-Charles got a decent opportunity but failed to trouble Wadi with a tame right footed shot.

As he toiled on the field, the banter about his worth to San Juan North’s ambitions this season raged off the field.

For the San Juan North squad, though, surely nothing mattered more than the three points, which took the Kings from thirteenth to eighth place on the standings.

At the final whistle, Trinity College East head coach Dwayne Davis declined the opportunity to share his views on the game with Wired868.

The Trincity-based “Blue Hawks” have zero points from four games now, with a goal differential of minus-17. They would surely need to provide an answer for their bad form soon.

Teams

San Juan North Secondary (4-3-3): 1.Elijah Lawrence (GK); 4.Mathyyas Charles, 16.Jelani Valentine, 12.Malique Marrast (15.Tyreese Patrick 86), 19.Jaheem Danclar; 8.Jamaludin Blandin, 5.Isaiah Audain, 11.Daniel Lewis (captain); 24.Jaydon Moraldo (17.Jahdel Chase-Charles 64), 22.Anthony Lewis (18.Aidan Bleasdell 82), 7.Elizsha Rogers (3.Levan Assevero 46).

Unused substitutes: 30.Daren Diaz (GK), 2.Dave O’Brien, 10.Jesse Chadband, 14.Malachi Diaz, 20.Isaiah Douglas.

Coach: Jerry Moe.

Trinity College East (4-3-3): 22.Ishmael Wadi (GK); 3.Shane Burnett-Mattis, 4.Uzochi Bacchus, 24.Javon Denoon (25.Ixiah Julian 72), 6.Jehrell Ignatius (captain); 17.Dejon Martinez, 5.Dexter Croal, 13.Akeem Abdallah; 8.Jakwon Howell, 21.Richard Edwards (11.Joshe Gill 63), 10.Elijah Diaz (16.Nyrell Roberts 78).

Unused substitutes: 1.Matthias Games (GK), 2.Duahann Goddard, 14.Kymani Nicholls, 20.Jayden Wilson.

Coach: Dwayne Davis.

Referee: Marlon Perouse.

SSFL Premier Division results

(Tue 23 September)

San Juan North 4 (Anthony Lewis 10, Daniel Lewis 11, Jaheem Danclar 66, Jamaludin Blandin 70), Trinity East 2 (Elijah Diaz, Malique Marrast OG) at Bourg Mulatresse;

St Augustine Sec 2 (Kylon Williams 45, Giovanni Hospedales 56 pen), Carapichaima East 1 (Teriq Langton 73) at Warren Street;

Fatima College 3 (Josiah Fernandes 45, Phillip Nelson 72, Jeremai Nanton 77), Trinity College 2 (Kevez Quintero 65, Kelun Hernandez 80) at Mucurapo Road;

St Benedict’s College 0, Presentation (San F’do) 1 (Isaiah Jacob) at Mahaica Oval;

QRC 3 (Abdul John OG 33, Jordan Grant 52, 61), St Anthony’s College 1 (Mordecai Ford 6) at QRC ground;

Arima North 3 (Micha’el John 10, Zion Metivier 55, Criston Gomez 90), Signal Hill 1 (Immanuel Wright 22) at Arima Velodrome;

Naparima College 3 (Riquelme Phillips 28, 61, Jabari Rodriguez 45+2), Malick Secondary 0 at Lewis Street;

St Mary’s College 5 (Finn De Freitas [2], Nadeem Grant, Deron Blackman, Eran McLeod), Scarborough Sec 0 at Serpentine Road.

Upcoming fixtures

(Sat 27 September)

Presentation (San F’do) v Malick Secondary, 3.30pm, Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;

Trinity College v Trinity East, 3.30pm, Moka;

Carapichaima East v St Anthony’s College, 3.30pm, Westmoorings;

Signal Hill Sec v St Augustine Sec, 3.30pm, Signal Hill;

QRC v Arima North, 3.30pm, QRC;

San Juan North v Naparima College, 3.30pm, Bourg Mulatresse;

St Mary’s College v Fatima College, 3.30pm, Serpentine Road;

St Benedict’s College v Scarborough Secondary, 3.30pm, Mahaica Oval.