SSFL 26: St Mary’s down “Green Machine”; while Benedict’s, Fatima, Arima and Signal Hill purr

Three first half goals saw St Mary’s College turn a potentially awkward meeting with St Augustine Secondary into a straightforward affair, as the “Saints” ran out 3-0 victors on match day one of the 2026 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) SporTT Premiership competition.

The outing at Serpentine Road in St Clair was one of seven Premiership games played nationwide today, as the top flight schoolboys competition kicked off in earnest—after an all-Tobago clash on the weekend, which saw Speyside Secondary edge Signal Hill Secondary.

Speyside, incidentally, followed up on their upset against Signal Hill with a goalless draw away to Queen’s Royal College. The “Country Boys” remain top of the standings, but have played an additional game to their Premiership rivals.

There was no winner in Westmoorings either, as heavy rains meant the scheduled clash between hosts St Anthony’s College and newly promoted Hillview College never kicked off.

But school football fans got their money’s worth elsewhere.

On Serpentine Road, coach Cornell Glen’s team made an impressive start to their campaign.

In 2025, St Mary’s College had to settle for a 1-1 draw away to the “Green Machine”. But there was no doubt about the identity of the superior team in 2026.

The hosts struck three times in the last 20 minutes of the first half, through Jaylon Manswell, Deron Blackman and Nadeem Grant, with a talented St Augustine team unable to muster a response.

“I am a bit disappointed with how the second half played out, but I am grateful for the win,” said Glen, in a post-match interview with D Fearless One.

“[…] We did a good job, even though we could have scored a lot more goals. We did a good job in seeing out the game, because we didn’t allow them a lot of chances.”

Goals rained in north Trinidad, as Fatima College spanked Malick Secondary 4-1 on Mucurapo Road, paced by a hattrick from skillful attacker Jahaem Bailey. And there were five goals to savour in Moka too, although they were all administered by the visiting St Benedict’s College.

Last week, St Benedict’s were thumped 6-0 by defending champions Naparima College in the SSFL Super Cup, albeit with a significantly weakened team. Any questions about what a full-strength Benedict’s team are capable of were arguably answered today, as they mauled Trinity College 5-0 on the latter’s turf—with doubles from Oronde Parris and Jaylon Forbes.

In south Trinidad, Presentation College (San Fernando) lost 3-0 to visiting Arima North Secondary at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella, with “Dial Dynamos” captain Micha’el John treating observers to a dazzling solo item.

Notably, although the final score appears emphatic, Arima North did not actually pull away until the closing 10 minutes of the contest, when substitute Jaeden Samuel scored one and created the other for teammate and forward Jediah David.

In Trincity, the game was settled late too. Only this time, it was the hosts, Trinity College East, who engineered a recovery to edge San Juan North Secondary 2-1.

Gabriel Britto scored late in the first half for San Juan, but National Under-14 forward Abayomi Hope equalised in the 65^th minute for the “Blue Hawks”, which set the stage for Jakwon Howell’s stoppage time winner.

The final match was played in Tobago, where Signal Hill hosted newly promoted Mucurapo West Secondary.

And, after losing their opener to Speyside on the weekend, Signal Hill did not slip up today. Captain Ackim Duncan scored in successive matches—this time, from the penalty spot—while Josiah Peters and National Under-17 Team attacker J’meke Watkins got the other goals.

Premiership action continues this weekend with Naparima, who were on a bye today, welcoming Trinity College to Lewis Street from 3.40pm, while QRC host St Mary’s College in school football’s oldest existing derby.

SporTT Premiership results

(Wed 16 Sep)

St Mary’s College 3 (Jaylon Manswell 27, Deron Blackman 39, Nadeem Grant 45+2), St Augustine Secondary 0 at Serpentine Road;

Presentation College (San F’do) 0, Arima North Secondary 3 (Micha’el John 22, Jaeden Samuel 82, Jediah David 90+2) at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;

Queen’s Royal College 0, Speyside Secondary 0 at QRC;

Fatima College 4 (Jahaem Bailey 5, 12, 76, Jordan Grant 33), Malick Secondary 1 (J Clarke) at Fatima;

Signal Hill Secondary 3 (Ackim Duncan 28 pen, Josiah Peters 46, J’meke Watkins 90+4), Mucurapo West Secondary 0 at Signal Hill;

Trinity College East 2 (Abayomi Hope 65, Jakwon Howell 90+1), San Juan North Secondary 1 (Gabriel Britto 43) at Trinity East;

Trinity College 0, St Benedict’s College 5 (Oronde Parris 10, 54, Josiah Huggins 25, Jaylon Forbes 26, 78) at Moka;

St Anthony’s College vs Hillview College, 3.40pm, St Anthony’s;

*—game postponed due to waterlogged conditions.

Naparima College are on a bye.

2026 Premiership Standings

Pos	Club	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	St Mary's	6	5	1	0	17	4	13	16
2	Signal Hill	6	5	0	1	15	6	9	15
3	St Benedict's	6	4	1	1	15	4	11	13
4	Arima North	6	4	0	2	18	14	4	12
5	Fatima	6	3	2	1	21	12	9	11
6	Hillview	5	3	1	1	19	11	8	10
7	Naparima	5	2	1	2	15	6	9	7
8	Presentation	5	2	1	2	9	8	1	7
9	St Augustine	5	2	1	2	13	15	-2	7
10	Trinity College	6	2	1	3	11	19	-8	7
11	Speyside	7	2	1	4	8	23	-15	7
12	Malick	5	2	0	3	12	12	0	6
13	QRC	6	1	3	2	4	8	-4	6
14	Mucurapo W	6	1	2	3	7	14	-7	5
15	Trinity East	6	1	1	4	9	19	-10	4
16	San Juan	6	1	0	5	8	15	-7	3
17	St Anthony's	6	0	2	4	7	18	-11	2

Upcoming fixtures

(Sat 19 Sep)

Naparima College vs Trinity College, 3.40pm, Lewis Street;

Hillview College vs Arima North Sec, 3.40pm, Hillview;

Malick Secondary vs Trinity College East, 3.40pm, TBA;

Mucurapo West Sec vs St Augustine Sec, 3.40pm, Mucurapo West;

Presentation (San F’do) vs Fatima College, 3.40pm, Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;

Queen’s Royal College vs St Mary’s College, 3.40pm, QRC;

Speyside Secondary vs St Anthony’s College, 3.40pm, Speyside;

St Benedict’s College vs San Juan North Sec, 3.40pm, TBA;

Signal Hill Sec are on a bye.

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