SSFL 25: ‘Baby Hulk’ too much for Malick, as ‘Pres Lions’ win again

Presentation College (San Fernando) captain Isaiah ‘Baby Hulk’ Jacob notched his eighth and ninth goals of the season today—from just four games—as the southern powerhouse continued their perfect start to the 2025 SSFL Premier Division campaign, with a 4-1 dismissal of Malick Secondary at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella.

The result saw the ‘Pres Lions’ pull level on points with Naparima College, although the latter outfit lead the standings on goal difference.

Naparima did not play today, as their match away to San Juan North Secondary was postponed. Signal Hill Secondary, yet again, also had to endure a postponement as St Augustine Secondary were unable to travel to Tobago this weekend.

In the games that did play, defending champions Fatima College failed to hold on to a two-goal lead away to rivals St Mary’s College—a result that meant both schools retained their unbeaten records.

St Benedict’s College also shook off a two-game losing streak, as they downed Scarborough Secondary 3-1 at the Mahaica Sporting Complex in Point Fortin.

And in a bout of sibling rivalry, Trinity College East fought back from a goal down to edge Trinity College (Moka) 2-1 at Moka, which saw the former school pick up their first points of the season.

They would be no upset at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium today, although the Pres Lions were sloppy against a spirited Malick team.

Presentation captain and centre forward, Jacob, got his troops off to a dream start in the sixth minute, as he slammed a shot past Malick goalkeeper Mandell Huskerson, off a through ball from attacking midfielder Kyron Baptiste.

The stadium was near deserted, but the few fans who showed up—mostly to support the home team—certainly appreciated the goal. For much of the contest, though, the venue was quiet enough for spectators to hear the on-field comments from players.

Presentation controlled possession and created numerous chances, as they routinely released wingers Roshaun Doobay and Oshea Watson. But they failed to punish the visitors any further in the first half.

Huskerson played his part, as he made himself big to block an attempt by Baptiste in the 25^th minute—after the Pres midfielder was played through by Jacob. Credit too to Malick centre back Hakeem Bartholomew, who blocked Doobay’s follow-up shot.

Just past the half hour mark, Jacob missed a one-on-one opportunity that he would have been expected to convert as fans began to gamble at Presentation’s inability to extend their advantage.

And, in the 45^th minute, Malick reaped their reward for hanging on.

Right winger Jerome Patterson passed the ball down the line for striker Jahda Riley, who had Presentation left back Mahkaya Mahon and centre back Jimally Renne for company.

Riley outran the former, held off the latter, cut inside to get a better angle and fired a speculative shot past opposing goalkeeper Marcelo Phillip to grab a shock equaliser.

The 1-1 halftime score flattered Malick, though.

“Come on boys, just continue to play the football,” urged a supportive nuts vendor, with the popular catchphrase: allyuh buy nuts from mih nah.

It took only three minutes in the second half for Jacob to restore Presentation’s lead, with a clinical finish. But, again, the hosts struggled to get the insurance item.

Malick right back Malique Mars threw himself in the way of a goal-bound Jacob shot in the 56^th minute, while Jacob skied a free kick opportunity.

“Oh, what a shot!” stated the nutsman, sarcastically. “Six runs over the bowler’s head!”

Riley and strike partner Jaquan Phillip continued to threaten on the break too, with the former attacker forcing a save from opposing goalkeeper Marcelo Phillip while the latter was thwarted by an alert Renne after he cut back to shoot in the box.

In the end, Presentation substitute Raul Perreira settled his team’s nerves with an item in the 76^th minute.

Malick left back Joshua Gabriel, who had a strong game up to that point, was caught in possession by Jacob, who then passed to Perreira for the simple finish.

And as Malick pushed forward seeking to narrow the deficit in the dying stages, Presentation opened them up with a counter-attacking goal in the 87^th minute.

Presentation left back Mahon’s pass seemed to be meant for substitute striker Aidan Sinanan-McDonald, but it rolled kindly for midfielder Nikosi Foncette instead. And Foncette took his opportunity well to close the score summary.

Malick continued to press forward, and another substitute, Immanuel Moore, caused some problems at the other end. But he could not take a chance created by Phillip (J), which he blasted overbar.

And referee Cecile Hinds’ final whistle saw Presentation join fellow southern outfit Naparima at the top of the table.

“We got the desired result, but I’m not happy with the performance,” said Presentation coach Dunstan Williams. “I think we dropped our level based on the opponent that we played.

“[…] We talked about it being hot and needing to circulate the ball more, and I just think we dropped our standards. We tried to use this game as a platform to prepare for Arima next, which is going to be a difficult game.”

Captain Jacob echoed his coach’s assessment: “We weren’t playing how we normally play, but we pick up we head in the second half and did what we had to do and came out with the victory.”

Malick coach Akeal Baig said his team did well to hold off Presentation for long periods and suggested that their opponents were a stronger and better balanced team with “good players from forward to back”.

“We just tried to keep them out and look for goals on the counter,” said Baig.  “We gave up goals early in both halves, which made things difficult. We also made a couple key defensive errors—but the boys are young, you have to expect that. They worked really hard.”

Baig complimented 15-year-old utility player, Riley, who played at right back for Trendsetter Hawks in the Republic Bank National Youth Football League (RBNYFL) but is Malick’s main threat upfront this season.

“Riley is only 15 years old, and we are relying on him to score for us,” said Baig. “As the season continues, he will score more goals.”

Having already faced Naparima and Presentation, the two top schools at present, Baig hopes it gets easier for his troops from here on.

“Now we have those tough games out of the way,” he said, “the boys are eager to try and get some points against some of the other teams closer to us.

“We are expecting a better game against Caps (Carapichaima East Secondary).”

Teams

Presentation College San Fernando (4-2-1-3): 1.Marcelo Phillip (GK); 2.Jordan Bernard, 5.Kadon Elliott, 3.Jimally Renne, 12.Mahkaya Mahon; 14.Joshua Bernard, 6.Nikosi Foncette; 16.Kyron Baptiste (13.Raul Perreira 65); 21.Oshea Watson (18.Josiah Stewart 65), 10.Isaiah Jacob (captain) (20.Aidan Sinanan-McDonald 84), 7.Roshaun Doobay (15.Tyrese Harding 88).

Unused substitutes: 28.Joshua Alexander (GK), 11.Gabriel Collins, 17.Aaron Clement, 19.Kwesi Seales, 23.Aden Montano, 25.Luke Jagdeo, 27.Sherkeel Campbell.

Coach: Dunstan Williams.

Malick Secondary (4-4-2): 22.Mandell Huskerson (GK); 3.Malique Mars, 4.Hakeem Bartholomew, 5.Anest De Silva (captain), 14.Joshua Gabriel; 11.Jerome Patterson (19.Renaldo Punette 52), 21.Teung Burnley (7.Shaheed Mc Farlane 84), 15.Jayden Roberts, 17.Omillio Millard (23.Immanuel Moore 65); 12.Jahda Riley (16.Kieron Ross 90+1), 10.Jaquan Phillip.

Unused substitutes: 1.Josiah Gordon (GK), 6.Shaheen Cooper, 18.Josiah Isaac.

Coach: Akel Baig.

Referee: Cecile Hinds.

SSFL Premier Division results

(Sat 27 September)

Presentation (San F’do) 4 (Isaiah Jacob 6, 48, Raul Perreira 76, Nikosi Foncette 87), Malick Secondary 1 (Jahda Riley 45) at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;

Trinity College 1 (Anton Joseph 39), Trinity East 2 (Dexter Croal 60, Kymanni Nicholls 78) at Moka;

Carapichaima East 1 (Keon Kissoon 68), St Anthony’s College 4 (Kanye Glasgow 7, Mordecai Ford 21, Aadil Jr Abdul-Hakeem 65, Adriel Faure 90+1) at Ato Boldon Stadium;

QRC 2 (Jasai Theophilus 13, Jordan Grant 62), Arima North 1 (Jaquan Aguilleria 85) at QRC;

St Mary’s College 2 (Joshua Miguel 44, Jaylon Manswell 83), Fatima College 2 (Josiah Fernandes 2, Seth Hadeed 37) at Serpentine Road;

St Benedict’s College 3 (Cam’ron Burke 38, 54, Josiah Ochoa 65), Scarborough Secondary 1 (Tyrese Neptune 67) at Mahaica Sporting Complex;

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

*–match postponed;

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

*–match postponed.