SSFL: Sam subdued as St Anthony’s stings San Juan North


There are unlikely to be many tougher venues than Bourg Mulatresse for visiting Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) outfits this season.

In that context, the “Westmoorings Tigers” should be ecstatic by their first outing of the 2015 Premier Division competition as St Anthony’s College edged hosts San Juan North Secondary 1-0, despite playing for half-hour with just 10 players.

Photo: Carapichaima East Secondary's Cadiz Chandler (left) tackles Speyside High School's Shaffie McKenzie during SSFL Premier Division action today in Speyside, Tobago. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: Carapichaima East Secondary’s Cadiz Chandler (left) tackles Speyside High School’s Shaffie McKenzie during SSFL Premier Division action today in Speyside, Tobago. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

The pre-game chatter centred around six-foot-plus centre forward Brent Sam, who spent part of July in Turkey trying to land a professional contract only to then snub San Juan Jabloteh and the Pro League to return to schoolboys competition.

But it was another 19-year-old forward who stole the spotlight as Kwesi “Jep” Allen, last year’s top scorer, started his new season doing what he does best: scoring goals.

In the 52nd minute, St Anthony’s left back Raheem Borde arrowed a deep, diagonal cross into the opposing penalty area. Nine out of 10 times, San Juan defender Kyle Williams would have dealt with it easily. But this was the tenth time.

Williams stumbled, possibly deceived by the trajectory of the cross, and Allen struck.

Bang! The ball whistled past San Juan goalkeeper D’Andre Villaroel for the eventual game winner.

Arguably, a draw might have been a fairer result for the two teams who both played decent, patient football in patches but largely struggled on the slow and uneven pitch.

Photo: Carapichaima East Secondary goalkeeper Jeremiah Phillips (centre) denies Speyside High School's Jakeb Douglas in SSFL action today in Speyside, Tobago. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: Carapichaima East Secondary goalkeeper Jeremiah Phillips (centre) denies Speyside High School’s Jakeb Douglas in SSFL action today in Speyside, Tobago.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

Once behind, though, San Juan players became increasingly dependent on long balls to their beanpole striker and the Tigers ensured he did not have it all his own way, as their own six foot attacker, Marcus Rullow, was stuck in central defence to keep an eye on him.

Between Rullow, captain Simon Joseph and holding midfielder Jules Lee, St Anthony’s did just enough to contain the San Juan giant.

Whether Sam should have been there at all is another question. The talented forward already has two Pro League seasons under his belt and scored in both.

Each August, Jabloteh offers Sam a contract. On every occasion, he turns them down to play in the SSFL instead. And, every January, Sam returns to the Pro League for a half-season.


At 19, Sam is repeating Form Five now and maybe he really is in his last season now.

Photo: San Jan Jabloteh striker Brent Sam (right) prepares to drive the ball past Club Sando defender Andre Phillip in the 2015 TTFA FA Trophy quarterfinals. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: San Jan Jabloteh striker Brent Sam (right) prepares to drive the ball past Club Sando defender Andre Phillip in the 2015 TTFA FA Trophy quarterfinals.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

It did not get off to a good start. He did not lack for effort. But his movement was sluggish and far too easy for opposing defenders to pick up.

“Sam, you have to wake up eh!” former San Juan North teammate Josiah Trimmingham shouted from up on the mound.

But the long balls just were not sticking for Sam as they used to while he seemed to fumble with the ball whenever he tried to accelerate away from a defender.

It must have been maddening for coach Jerry Moe since the host team looked an improvement from last season.

Last year, San Juan North scrapped and battled while waiting for Sam’s quality to bail them out. Today, they seemed much more comfortable on the ball and never overawed against a St Anthony’s XI that featured 10 players from the 2014 season.

Photo: Fatima College's Mosiah Griffith (center) is congratulated by teammates after his goal today against Presentation College (San Fernando) in SSFL Premier Division action. (Courtesy Wired868)
Photo: Fatima College players celebrate a goal today against Presentation College (San Fernando) in SSFL Premier Division action.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

Unfortunately, San Juan’s best chances fell to Sam’s strike partner Joshua Leach and he missed the target with every one.

Seven minutes into the second half, Allen, another 19-year-old schoolboy, gave him an education in finishing as he pounced on a Williams error to put the Tigers ahead.

Referee Rashby McPhie ejected Lee in the 61st minute, after the midfielder earned his second caution for a needless tug on Leach near the half-line.

San Juan huffed and puffed. But, apart from a Sam flick on over the bar from a Brandon Semper long throw and another Leach miss, Moe’s young men had nothing to show for it.

Almost certainly, Sam will be better next time and San Juan will pick up points. But today belonged to the Jep.

Photo: Carapichaima East Secondary's Micah Serrette (left) tries to keep the ball from Speyside High School's Elder Kamarie during SSFL action today in Speyside, Tobago. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: Carapichaima East Secondary’s Micah Serrette (left) tries to keep the ball from Speyside High School’s Elder Kamarie during SSFL action today in Speyside, Tobago.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

(Teams)

San Juan North (4-4-2): 1.D’Andre Villaroel (GK); 12.Warren Chase, 3.Kerdell Sween, 16.Kyle Williams, 6.Brandon Semper; 7.Oneel Jarvis, 5.Rhondel Gibson (20.Jerome Cyrus 90), 8.Marcus Rosales (14.Shrikel Diamond 62), 22.Jermelle Britto (11.Joshua Jerome 55); 19.Joshua Leach, 9.Brent Sam (captain).

Unused substitutes: 30.Lukman Brooks (GK), 15.Myles Oliver, 17.Kareem John, 24.Obadele Dickson.

Coach: Jerry Moe

 

St Anthony’s College (4-1-4-1): 22.Oba Augustine (GK); 20.Brent Joel, 18.Simon Joseph (captain), 19.Andrew Rullow, 17.Raheem Borde; 8.Jules Lee; 11.Adriel Kerr (14.Nilaya Mahon 65), 13.Shem Clauzel, 9.Shakeem Patrick, 16.Gyasi Moore (4.Haile Beckles 60); 10.Kwesi Allen (12.Jediel Harewood 88).

Unused substitutes: 1.Jabari Brice (GK), 2.Tyrese Bailey, 5.Jodel Brown, 6.Khiesa Granger.

Coach: Nigel Grosvenor

 

Referee: Rashby McPhie

Man of the match: Kwesi Allen (St Anthony’s College)

Photo: Fatima College's Jonathan Casimire (left) tries to hold off Presentation College's Kori Cupid in SSFL action today. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: Fatima College’s Jonathan Casimire (left) tries to hold off Presentation College’s Kori Cupid in SSFL action today.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

SSFL Premier Division results

(Thursday September 10)

San Juan North 0, St Anthony’s College 1 (Kwesi Allen 52), San Juan;

Speyside High 2 (Kerry McDonald 45, 48), Carapichaima East 2 (Justin Joseph 31, Keston Vierre 89), Speyside;

Trinity College Moka 2 (Isaiah Marshall 22, Jameel Cunningham 77), St Benedict’s College 3 (Jaron Panthor 47, 85, Kerwin Mitchell 60), Moka;

Presentation San F’do 4 (Nate Brooks 4, Nion Lamy 19, Kareem Riley 41, Moriah Griffith OG 88), Fatima College 3 (Andrew Abraham 24, Jonathan Casimire 53, Jahreed Murray 67), Mannie Ramjohn;

Shiva Boys HC 1 (Shaquille John 30), St Augustine 0, Penal;

 

Upcoming fixtures

(Saturday September 12)

St Benedict’s College v San Juan North, 3.45 pm, Mahaica Oval, P/Fortin;

Carapichaima East v Fyzabad Secondary, 3.45 pm, Carapichaima;

St Anthony’s College v St Mary’s College, 3.45 pm, St Anthony’s;

Fatima College v Shiva Boys HC, 3.45 pm, Fatima;

St Augustine v Speyside High, 3.45 pm, St Augustine;

Presentation San F’do v Naparima College, 3.45 pm, Mannie Ramjohn;

Trinity College East v QRC, 3.45 pm, Trincity.

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About Lasana Liburd

Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.

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57 comments

  1. My friend I never spoke of the schools.The persons from the lesser schools WHO were ONLY football inclined.

  2. Yuh right in that a lot of the players that play at the non prestige schools may not do as well financially but I don’t agree that schools are lesser or only football inclined. Too general a statement

  3. I was football inclined dude and so were the others I was referring to. We were all national team players but I get the gist… be careful they partner….

  4. I am extremely carefull with my words.

  5. Notice I said only football inclined.Please read carefully.

  6. Watch yuh self dey bro. I am proud to say I went to Arima and went onto university just like you did. We’ve got dudes with doctorates on this blog that went to as you say it “lesser” schools (whatever that is). Do we have a Prestige school syndrome here? It has to do with parenting and desire…. By the way it have plenty dudes that went to those prestige schools that went nowhere too eh. Ease we up there bro.

  7. I say this as I played for CIC and my brother, Gerry,played for QRC and most of the person’s from the lesser schools who were only football inclined have reached no where today.They were abused by coaches at school and thereafter.I see them today and help many of them.They quickly come to oblivion and new faces crop up to continue the cycle.What is a 19 year old doing in Form 5?…Someone must intervene to save him from himself!!!!!!

  8. I’d agree with that assessment Ian. Sometimes it’s a lack of knowledge or education on the parents part as well.

  9. My issue is his parents who must have some air of concern as to where they are going with HS.They are clearly not focused on either his football development nor his academic development.

  10. The SSFL falls under the Ministry of Education although it is affiliated to the TTFA.

  11. The TTFA can’t set the policy on this? They don’t govern these leagues?

  12. In this article, you can see how different teams treated schoolboy players. Some teams required that players quit school. Jabloteh was not one
    http://wired868.com/2014/10/05/schooled-national-club-and-school-coaches-weigh-up-the-ssfl-agenda/

  13. Jabloteh actually set training sessions to suit Brent Sam and the coach personally dropped him to school. So the club bent over backwards to help him.

  14. Agreed. To my understanding most of the Pro League teams practice in the morning so how was he going to school? The whole thing looks bad for the SSFL and the school.

  15. Brent that’s not the point.We must allow children every chance to do well or try to do well at school.Playing Property League from January? ????????Hell no moreso if he is struggling!!!!

  16. I don’t think it’s fair to compare San Juan to CIC in terms of academics. Your son has done well but he is in a strong academic environment. San Juan is simply not. Having said that we should focus on how is it possible one can play in a pro league and return to an amateur schools league.

  17. My son is 16 and in Form 6 CIC and played as of last year at 15 for First 11.He is already possessed of 9 subjects as all the other players on the CIC team.Is that the purpose of school????

  18. This is beyond ridiculous as at 19 he is repeating Form 5 and for the last 2 years he resumes Property League as of January. His parents are worth emulating!!!!!!! You have your priorities right!!!!

  19. Well, apparently there are 16 year old boys in the same class with 12 girls across the country. So there is something to discuss with the new Education Minister.

  20. Yeah, but Savitri, there are other issues not related to football with having 19 year old men in the same class as 16 year old girls eh…

  21. Yes. I can’t blame the league Trevor Bridglalsingh. It really boils down to the ambition of the individual player.

  22. Lasana our League is a School League and we recognize players as Students allowed to attend School by the Min o Ed. When we tried to regulate age at this level the lawyers would have said we discriminating among ?Students. Your point about playing Pro and then coming into School football will have to be looked at.

  23. At least he’s trying…it’s never too late eh

  24. Trying to get an education as a 19 year old 5th form repeater….. biggest laugh I’ve gotten all day.

  25. He can get an education without playing for San Juan North, Timothy Rochford. That is his right as a citizen to get an education.
    Frank Lampard has about 10 A Levels. And he got them while playing professionally for West Ham rather than representing his school.

  26. Is he trying to get an education Lasana? Maybe!

  27. 2 words… mickey Mouse…. Just give we the scores yes Lasana and no write up… any kinds ah comments on this and/or the pro league is juss to raise man blood pressah … smh

  28. No it isn’t. I’m just pointing out that he isn’t alone.

  29. So that makes it right? No one should be allowed to play in the pro league and return to school football…

  30. The age doesn’t bother me so much as the jumping back and forth. Once you play in the pro league you should be forbidden from playing in any schools league. It’s just unfair. Plus how in the world is one repeating 5th form at 19? He went into secondary school at 14? How does this happen?

  31. To be fair, our local leagues are not developed enough for it to be 16. It would have to be 18.

  32. I agree. I have a bit less of an issue with Kwesi Allen playing for that reason. Although I would still prefer if there was a cut off age of at least 18. If not 16.

  33. dem 2 men still playing SFL ??..steups.

  34. Yes true but he should not be allowed to play because he played in a “pro” league. That’s my issue.

  35. I saw the Jabloteh coach and manager watching on from the sidelines and shaking their heads. This is a player who any Pro League club would take. And instead of trying to score goals against Marvin Phillip and Jan-Michael Williams, he prefers to test himself against schoolboys. Dunno what more I can say about that nah.
    I give myself one article to rant and then I just have to respect his wishes after this.

  36. The avg student turns 18 in upper six ….. only repeaters (5 or 6) turn 19 in upper 6….

  37. Repeating form 5 @ 19, laughable. …. I know this was discussed previously but how can one play in a “pro league” and regain your “amateur” status to play HS football. The league is a joke…. steups

  38. Thnx nigel….and well d avg student turns 19 in upper six so i guess thats why they have that rule to allow players to fine tune their talent….there should b rules to prevent players switchin as they plz

  39. Twenty? Dat too old man. It should be 18. St. Benedict’s beat Trinity College 3-2.

  40. It has an age limit…its 20 so form six players can play…dey shud ban players who play more than five pro league games tho…..lasana no result from the benedicts game? 🙁

  41. Buh wha de hell I seeing here? Sam still playing SSFL ball? Dem relly need to put an age limit on this competition yes.

  42. St Augustine ran a good game yesterday and dominate for about 60% of the game but was humble by Shiva Boys HC 1-0 , Pappy stand’s out as a midfield general and made a great difference with how the game ended .

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