SSFL 18: Resilient St Benedict’s triumph in Tobago after 14-hour ordeal; Bishop’s near relegation

St Benedict’s College defied inclement weather, a 14-hour travel delay and an early deficit to snatch three points in Tobago this evening, as they edged Bishop’s High School 2-1 in Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Premier Division action at the Plymouth Recreation Ground.

The result saw St Benedict’s climb from ninth to fifth in the 15-team standings. For Bishop’s, who have lost their last 10 successive outings, relegation seems inevitable. The newly promoted Tobago team must get a maximum nine points from their three remaining games to have any chance of beating the drop.

Photo: St Benedict’s College midfielder Keon Boney drives an effort towards goal during Coca Cola Intercol South Zone quarterfinal action against La Romaine Secondary at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium on 10 November 2017.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)

Bishop’s play at home again on Wednesday when they host Valencia Secondary. Anything but three points would confirm their demotion to the Championship Division.

Coach Richard Goddard’s team got an early lifeline today as captain and central defender Dominique Lyons put Bishop’s ahead with a header off a deep free kick.


Remarkably, it was Lyons’ sixth goal of the season, which is more than half of his team’s tally of 11 items and brought him level with San Juan North Secondary striker Renaldo Boyce. Only St Augustine Secondary forward Kesean St Rose has scored more.

But Lyons’ form was again insufficient to save his school, as Keon Boney and Justin Chu Foon struck back for the resilient visitors.

St Benedict’s should not have been there in the first place. The southern team were already at the Piarco International Airport when the SSFL executive decided to postpone all weekend fixtures yesterday evening. And coach Reynold Carrington’s troops decided to push on to Tobago anyway.

Photo: Bishop’s High School captain Dominique Lyons (right) tussles with QRC attacker Randy Harris during 2018 SSFL Premier Division action.
(Copyright Nicholas Williams/CA-Images/Wired868)

The players got to Piarco at 2pm on Friday afternoon but, due to flight delays and travel issues, it was not until 4am on Saturday that they got to their destination in the “Sister Isle”.

St Benedict’s are due to leave Tobago on Sunday morning, weather and flights permitting. Whenever they do return, they will come with three precious points in tow.

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Premier Division result

(Saturday 20 October)

Bishop’s High School 1 (Dominique Lyons), St Benedict’s College 2 (Keon Boney, Justin Chu Foon) at Tobago;

Upcoming fixtures

(Monday 22 October)

Trinity College (Moka) vs QRC, 3:40pm, Moka;

(Wednesday 24 October)

Bishop’s High School vs Valencia Secondary, 3:40pm, Plymouth Recreation Ground;

Carapichaima East vs St Mary’s College, 3:40pm, Carapichaima;

East Mucurapo vs Trinity College (Moka), 3:40pm, Mucurapo Road;

QRC vs St Benedict’s College, 3:40pm, QRC;

St Anthony’s College vs Fatima College, 3:40pm, Westmoorings;

St Augustine Secondary vs San Juan North Secondary, 3:40pm, St Augustine;

Trinity College East vs Presentation College (San F’do), 3:40pm, Trincity;

Naparima College are on a bye

2018 SSFL Premier Division

PosClubPWDLFAGDPts
11410402791834
214103130121833
31493225151030
4147342522324
5146352221121
6145541912720
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