RBNYFL 24: Pro Series girls dazzle against Trincity Nationals, Eastern County edge Hawks

Pro Series unleashed a series of productive attacks at the Republic Bank Sports Club Ground, Barataria on Sunday, en route to a 3-0 win against Trincity Nationals in the East Zone Girls Under-20 Division of the 2024 Republic Bank National Youth Football League (RBNYFL).

Pro Series, coached by former Trinidad and Tobago international standout Tasha St Louis, impressed with their pressing, quick passing and determination to win the ball back after losing possession.

The only negative was their lack of potency in the final third, which saved Trincity Nationals from suffering a wider margin of defeat.

“The girls started off a little bit slow,” said St Louis, during a post-game interview. “You could probably blame the heat a little bit but I thought their focus wasn’t there at the start of the game.

“With the two-minute [water] break, I was able to talk to them and get them back on track. The opponent also gave us a tough time in terms of shutting us down in the middle of the field, forcing us not to get shots off.”

As brilliant as Pro Series were in terms of ball movement, they were thwarted by the defensive set-up from Trincity Nationals, who stayed deep and withstood all what came their way.

Pro Series relied a lot on the energy from their two wingers Kaitlyn Darwent (left) and Calypso Ayoung (right), and the pair combined for the first clear-cut chance at goal after 27 minutes of action.

Darwent raced down the flank and sent a ball across the face of goal which was met by Ayoung, but her right-footed shot was blocked by an alert Trincity goalkeeper Kelsie Gonzales.

That served as a warning sign to the Trincity team, and the pressure broke three minutes later.

Defender Hackeemar Goodridge’s freekick was met by Daneelyah Salandy whose effort deflected off the body of Trincity’s Shaquilla Daniel and rolled into the back of the net.

“In the second half we made a couple of changes and we asked a couple of players to change their roles and functions a little bit,” said St Louis. “Some of them did it well and, to me, that is what changed the game a little bit.”

Persistent waves of Pro Series attacks and the humidity at the venue were decisive factors in the second half.

After an excellent midfield build-up, midfielder Kanika Rodriguez unleashed a powerful right-footed shot which was inches wide of Gonzales’ left post in the 66th minute.

A minute later, Pro Series finally added another goal to the scoresheet courtesy of Rasheeda Archer, whose right-footed shot flew high to Gonzales’ left.

Substitute winger Mariah Williams caused lots of trouble on the left flank for Pro Series, and her excellent second-half showing resulted in her team’s third goal, two minutes from full-time.

Williams saw Gonzales out of her line and fired a right-footed shot, which was too hot to handle for the Trincity goalie.

“It would have been our toughest game (for the season),” said veteran Trincity Nationals coach Joel Warrick. “Pro Series have a lot of girls who are technically sound and who have a good understanding. So, we knew it would have been a hard game.

“We tried our best to play them on the counter because our team is young—14, 15 and 16 (year-olds)—and they’ve been together for three weeks. I thought the girls played hard, they stuck to the task.

“We got some goals and I think it was more down to fatigue and the heat. We remain humble in defeat and try to come again a bit stronger.”

In an earlier contest, Eastern County United rallied from a goal down to edge Blue Hawks 2-1.

The Hawks flew out of the blocks quickly and tested the backline of the Eastern County outfit.

After four minutes of play, Kayley Noray, operating on the left flank, got past her marker and slipped the ball to Zahra Stoute, who struck her left-footed effort straight at goalkeeper Haley Edwards.

Eastern County were noticeably slow to start proceedings, and their lethargy proved costly when they went behind four minutes later.

Powerful central midfielder Mirella Edwards took advantage of a poorly-assembled four-player wall to drill home a low freekick, which gave Blue Hawks a deserved lead.

Edwards (M), the team’s designated set-piece taker, had another freekick opportunity in the 10th minute, but her effort was tipped overbar by Edwards (H).

As dominant as Blue Hawks were, in terms of ball possession, they lacked the killer instinct. And, against the run of play, Eastern County equalised in the 19th minute.

Ateera Boyce got a through ball on goal where bespectacled Blue Hawks goalie Zade Castillo was too slow to react, and Boyce calmly placed her right-footed shot to the keeper’s left.

The midday heat resulted in a few water-stoppages and, subsequently, a slight deterioration in the quality of the match, as the players’ concentration and focus faltered from time to time.

The game seemed destined to end in a draw. But the aptly-named Eastern County striker Destiny Williams ensured that her team ended up as the victors, albeit in fortuitous circumstances.

Six minutes into the second half, Williams refused to give up on a lost cause. Instead, she pressured Castillo into making a rash clearance which rebounded off Williams and trickled into the back of the net.

The biggest result at the venue on Sunday transpired in the opening game of the triple-header, with MIC Matura Reunited hammering Jabloteh 9-1.

Tyeisha Griffith did the bulk of the scoring with five goals—in the 14th, 35th, 37th, 44th and 48th minutes. Luann Craig chipped in with two (29th and 30th) while there was one apiece from Trishell Charles (21st) and Berana Smith (68th).

Nyeisha Cox (63rd) got the lone item for Jabloteh.

Republic Bank National Youth Football League (RBNYFL) results

Central Zone

Under-14

(Sunday 17 March)

Ultimate Unisons 2 (Julius Caesar 17, 51), Blue Hawks 2 (Kymani Nicholls 7, Ilano Knights 82) at Frederick Settlement;

Hillview College 16 (Dmitri Hajaree 5, 70, Matthew Beharry 7, Adam Hoosanie 10, 12, 27, 50, 52, Sanjeev Mungal 11, 67, 79, Bryce Peters 37, Kavir Kallo 38, Maliq Lee Ashing 64, 72, 73), San Juan Jabloteh 0 at Frederick Settlement;

Talent & Energy FC 1 (Aliandro Asevero 20), Evolution FC 0 at Frederick Settlement;

Creek SCC 5 (Joshua York 24, 35, Antonio Frank 50, Luke Eccles 53, Aaden Jones 54), Crown Trace 2 (Abraham Raymond 67, Makai Bobcombe 77) at Frederick Settlement;

Under-16

(Sunday 17 March)

Evolution FC 5 (Caleb Stephenson 3, Kamarli James 12, 67, Zion Thompson 21, 49), Waterloo Institute 0 at UWI SPEC;

Gasparillo Youths 5 (Tearou Pompey 30, 32, 43, Mosi Geara 39, Tyrell Bailey OG 52), Tigers FC 0 at UWI SPEC;

Beatnix SC 5 (Khalid Jones 5, Jahmarley Ellis 14, 51, Kanye Eastman 17, Kibwe Abosi 38), MIC Matura ReUnited 2 (Joshua Eastman 2, Kellon John 15) at UWI SPEC;

Crown Trace 2 (Makasi Henry 31, Keron George 70), HEART Academy 0 at UWI SPEC;

Under-20

(Saturday 16 March)

Blue Hawks 2 (Dexter Croal pen, Seretse Brown), Prison FC 0 at Squadron Grounds;

Evolution FC 3 (Kermannuel Christopher 6, Judah Chinapoo 17, Kai Robertson 24), Cooper FA 1 (Zacariah Samaroo 73) at Squadron Grounds;

Crown Trace 2 (Kmsei St Louis 30, Lee-Vann David 41), Kamillionare 1 (Damarion Boswell) at Squadron Grounds;

(Wednesday 20 March)

MIC Matura ReUnited 2 (Levi Anderson 42, Daniel Rose 54), Talent & Energy FC 0 at Squadron Ground;

East Zone

Under-14

(Saturday 16 March)

Arima Araucans 4 (Nathanael Baptiste 27, Ky-Mani Moore 43, 86, Romario Alexander 55), Maloney RF FC 2 (Jaimarley John 30, Rickeel Phillip 48) at Republic Bank Grounds;

World Class 2 (Marley Ramdass 18, Jaydon Delarue 72), FC Ginga 1 (Nyrell Roberts 74 pen) at Republic Bank Grounds;

Beatnix SC 9 (Nathaniel Asame 2, 54, Cayden Superville 10, 47, 62, Kidane Nieves 19, 26, Azariah Simon 66, Adrian Narine 83), MIC Matura ReUnited 0 at Republic Bank Grounds;

FC Santa Rosa 3 (Christian Thomas 24, Justin Phillips 24, 41), Trincity Nationals 0 at Republic Bank Grounds;

Under-16

(Sunday 17 March)

HVC FC 2 (Kymani Prieto 26, Jayler Hinds 36), FC Santa Rosa 0 at UWI Admin Ground;

World Class 9 (Renace Hernandez 5, 25, Marcel Valentine 28, 76, 90+3, Victory Wuddivira 36, Shumba Cudjoe 40+2, 43, Jamal George 68), Ultimate Unisons 0 at UWI Admin Ground;

Arima Araucans 2 (Cristiano Hinds 21, Dimitre Jones 66), PUFA 1 (Immanuel McMeo 6) at UWI Admin Ground;

FC Ginga 14, Creek SCC 0 at UWI Admin Ground;

Under-20

(Saturday 16 March)

PUFA 2 (Messiah Thomas 12, 37), Maloney RF FC 1 (Christian Patrick 55) at UWI Admin Ground;

HVC FC 3 (Juninho La Fleur 67, Kryzyeo Holder 79, Kimarley Pierre 89), AIA 1 (Jean-Marc Thomas 53) at UWI Admin Ground;

Malabar Young Stars 2 (Jeremiah Williams 51, 80), FC Ginga 0 at UWI Admin Ground;

Beatnix SC 5 (Kadeem Mendoza 14, 20, Tyrell Stapleton 17, 30, 63), Kick Start Academy 0 at UWI Admin Ground;

North Zone

Under-14

(Saturday 16 March)

City FC 14 (Jude Correia 2, Zaydon Williams OG 10, Jeremai Nanton 17, 32, 50, 54, Reagan Rowe 27, 46, 49, 51, Gabre Kambon 28, Maeson Joel 80), Dibe Dragons 1 (Cayden Spencer 73) at Moka;

Pro Series 3 (Kaleb Gocking 13, 15, Liam La Fleur 51), Belmont AFE 0 at Moka;

Cardinals FA 8 (Jaylon Roberts 18, Kayden Moraldo 25, Mekhi Moore 31, Amani Seon 35, Malachi Polin 49, 60, Jaheim Guy 55, Price-Jevaughn Goodridge 71), First Kick Academy 1 (Dashawn Mathison 45) at Moka;

Santa Cruz United 1 (Andre Vialmosa-Clement 70), Project Pro 0 at Moka;

Under-16

(Sunday 17 March)

Cardinals FA 4 (Kai Williams 6, 74, Josiah Hunte 29, 51), Santa Cruz United 3 (Muleak Sampson 40, 50, Jamalladin Blandin 64) at Moka;

Pro Series 1 (Alejandro Harper 68 pen), City FC 1 (Harland Samuel 38) at Moka;

Prison FC 8 (Daniel Lewis 7, 30, N’rique Jordan 24, Marcus Ramlal 29, Tiago Nakhid-Greaves 40, Michael Greenaway 64, Kaylon Sanchez 67, Yasin Dyer 73), Blue Hawks 1 (Xavier Maricheau 24) at Moka;

Trendsetter Hawks 8 (Gershom Chase 8, Khadeem Morrison 28, 38, Jahda Riley 33, Makai Simmons 36, Jahseem Pierre 68, Jaquan Phillip 74, Jahmal Roberts 76), Project Pro 0 at Moka;

Under-20

(Saturday 16 March)

Seekers FC 2 (Christopher Slater 44, 80), Extreme FC 0 at Moka;

City FC 3 (Jadiel Joseph 39, Aadil Abdul-Hakeem Jr 53, Micaiah Leach 58), Boyce Sports Coaching Club 0 at Moka;

Pro Series 8 (Mussadiq Mohammed 4, 43, Jahiem Bailey 17, Akil Henry 40, Tau Lamsee 65, Maalik Jarvis 73, 83, 86), First Kick Academy 1 (Abdul Hakim Muhammad 2) at Moka;

Cardinals FA 3 (Roger Kirk 38, 58, Kai Williams 42), Santa Cruz United 1 (Yohan Peruse 49) at Moka;

South Zone

Under-14

(Saturday 16 March)

GDD 8 (Samuel Jones 6, Gianluca Bailey 9, Aidon McDonald 36, 53, 70, 80, D’lani Hunte 37, 72), Smart FA 3 (Michael Daniel 15 pen, Tyrese Walron 31, 79) at La Brea Recreation Grounds;

Cox Coaching School 4 (Jaylon Carrington 5, Djion Reid 8, Djbril Hamilton 34, 67), San Fernando SA 0 at La Brea Recreation Grounds;

Union Hall United 2 (Alan Ali 40, Samuel Balfour 56 pen), Premier SC 0 at La Brea Recreation Grounds;

Uprising Youths 7 (Taye Rodriguez 7, Curlon Williamson 17, 60, 79, Jamali Mitchell 39, Josiah Gordon 64, Shakeem Phillip 69), Tiny Mikes FC 0 at La Brea Recreation Grounds;

Under-16

(Sunday 17 March)

Dunstan Williams Academy 4 (Luke Jagdeo 16, Kyron Baptiste 45, Michael Samuel 59, Omari Spencer 67), San Juan Jabloteh 0 at Guapo;

Point Fortin YA 12 (Isiah Lam 2, Khaliq Ashton 21, 37, Michael Joseph 27, Josiah Smith 46, Jayden Phillip 55, Andel Gabriel 69, T’sean Simon 78, 80, 86, Twelde Charles 79, Jimally Renne 83), Plaisance Park Strikers 0 at Guapo;

Union Hall United 5 (Jayden Christophe 23, 27, 35, 48, Junaid Mohammed 67), Smart FA 0 at Guapo;

Cox Coaching School 3 (Mikhael Bullock 16, Mikhail Clement 40+1, Kaliq Perez 54), Premier SC 0 at Guapo;

Under-20

(Saturday 16 March)

Premier SC 9 (Malachi Webb 23, 61, Kelon Williams 31, 32, 39, 74, Jarrel Edwards 45, 50, Kaielle Elliott 80), South Star Sports 1 (Joshua Eccles 54) at Guapo Recreation Ground;

Union Hall United 1, San Fernando SA 1 at Guapo Recreation Ground;

Club Sando 2 (Arron Raymond 63, 84), Gasparillo Youths 2 (Sanjay Duncan 18, Jerrell Griffith 39) at Guapo Recreation Ground;

San Juan Jabloteh 5 (J’lon Matthews 11, 23, Kerry Headley 22, Roshaun Doobay 75, Keanu John 90), Penal Is Love 2 (Jeremiah Niles 56, Neave Bain 80) at Guapo Recreation Ground;

Tobago Zone

Under-14

(Saturday 16 March)

Ball Blasters YA 24 (Jaeden Anthony 2, 14, Malik Hurdle 6, Ty Guerra 9, 16, 24, Kyen Anderson 30, Ajani Phillips 13, 35, 40, Ackim Duncan 47, 49, 55, Zaire McMillan 50, 53, 77, Kisean Grant 61, Ozil James 63, Amarre Roberts 65, Jahmiah Gibbs 68, 75, Kaylon Howard 73, Jaysean Felix 79, Jaden Marcelle 80), TJ’s Sporting Academy 0 at Courland Ground.

Under-20

(Saturday 16 March)

Ball Blasters YA 7 (Immanuel Wright 2, 17, J’meke Watkins 7, 19, Siel Mills 34, Jermaine Morgan 45, Jaquon De Four 70), Georgia FC 0 at Courland Ground.

Trinidad Girls

(Sunday 17 March)

Pro Series 3 (Daneelyah Salandy 30, Rasheda Archer 67, Mariah Williams 78), Trincity Nationals 0 at Republic Bank Sports Club, Barataria;

MIC Matura ReUnited 9 (Tyeisha Griffith 14, 35, 37, 44, 48, Trishell Charles 21, Luann Craig 29, 30, Breena Smith 86), San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Nyeisha Cox 63) at Republic Bank Sports Club, Barataria;

Eastern County 2 (Ateera Boyce 19, Destiny Williams 23), Blue Hawks 1 (Mirella Edwards 8) at Republic Bank Sports Club, Barataria;

Crown Trace 5 (Shania Edwards 16, 34, 76, Tiffany Warner 36, 46), NED FC 0 at Balmain Recreation Ground;

Tobago Girls

(Saturday 16 March)

Jewels Sports Club 3 (Ty’kaiyah Dennis 6, 44, 48), Combined Ballers 1 (Natanya McLawrence 35) at Courland Ground;

Black Panthers 1 (Hayli Eastman 52), Tobago Chicas 1 (J’naya Gray 48) at Courland Ground.