RBNYFL 24: Photo finish for East U-14 title race; World Class coach claims youth football success formula

World Class Soccer Clinic and the Arima Araucans Academy are in a neck-and-neck battle to capture the East Zone Under-14 crown, after match day six (the penultimate round) in the Republic Bank National Youth Football League (RBNYFL).

At the Republic Bank Sports Ground in Barataria on Saturday, World Class defeated previous leaders Beatnix FC 2-0 and, in a controversial affair, the Arima Araucans edged defending champions FC Ginga 1-0.

World Class and Arima have 15 points apiece, but World Class’ goal-difference is plus-14 while the Araucan’s goal-difference is plus-12.

And Dave Weekes, coach of World Class, claimed that he has a ‘world class’ formula for youth football success.

“We know [Beatnix] is a nice little side but, like all Trinidadian coaches, we want to play like Europeans, we don’t want to play what we have in Trinidad—play to our strengths,” said Weekes, who referenced his past successes at Pro Youth League level with San Juan Jabloteh.

“I coach what I know. I know about this… People like Jason Marcano, Elton John, Matthew Woo Ling, Justin ‘Shiggy’ Garcia came through [my] system.

“I know what this thing [called] winning is about. You don’t have to look pretty. Until coaches realise you have to play what you have and don’t play what you want…”

The World Class coach made no pretence about his game plan on the weekend, which had nothing to do with putting on a show for spectators.

The top four East Zone teams (Beatnix, Ginga, World Class and Arima Araucans) started the round locked on 12 points each, and Weekes’ only priority was three points.

“The game today [went] just as planned,” he said. “We know [Beatnix] were on top. We had to make the game look ugly and we played to [our] strengths. We know they have Essien [Thomas], we know his ability. So, our [plan] was to get around him.

“[…] For a team that didn’t train since the Easter break, we had to go out there and dogfight. We had to work hard. It’s not about skill; you can’t look pretty. You have to go out there and fight.

“As I was telling them, skills alone don’t win nothing.”

World Class went out to nullify all that Beatnix threw at them while playing on the counter. Speedy attackers Jaden de la Rue and Jahiem Fonrose, Weekes explained, were key to their plan of navigating a way past Beatnix man-mountain, Essien Thomas.

It did not make for a pretty affair, but it worked. And, at the interval, World Class led 1-0 on a Fonrose item in the 40th minute.

Beatnix’s play revolved around their strapping captain and centre-back Thomas, who towered over his teammates and opponents alike. Thomas did his best to get Beatnix going—but, as hard as they tried, they were unable to make much of an impact in the attacking third.

And World Class got their second goal in the 52nd minute, after Fonrose, sent clear on goal by midfielder Matthias Legall, slotted home a right-footed shot.

Beatnix head coach Brandon Reyes suggested that his young charges were out-hustled by World Class.

“One team worked harder than the next team which resulted in them getting the three points,” said Reyes. “I’m still proud of my team. They fought. But from the warm-up, you could see that some of the boys really [were] not ready. Their heads were not in the right place today.

“[…] We just have to stay focused. We have one more game to play [against Ginga] and that could be a title-decider.”

Weekes certainly enjoyed what he saw.

“The standard of football was good this morning,” he said. “I must applaud Beatnix; they have some nice youths. They’re organised, and I came to disrupt that this morning—because I saw them play [and] I know what they are about.”

In the second fixture between the Arima Araucans and defending zonal champions FC Ginga, there was an early talking point in the 16th minute as Araucans goalkeeper Jurell Charles seemed to lose sight of where his faintly marked penalty area ended.

Charles strolled outside his box to gather a low shot, only to be flagged for handled ball.

Referee Jalene Stephens awarded Ginga a free kick, which midfielder Nyrell Roberts hit wide, but Charles was not cautioned—a decision which caused some debate among the supporters.

In the midday heat, Ginga looked to use the speed and trickery of Venezuelan Osleyker Carrion Herrera on the left flank. But the Araucans players, and right back Kadeem Farfan in particular, were alert to the danger and ensured that Carrion was hardly able to dictate terms in the match.

On the other end, Araucans centre-back and designated free-kick taker Ky-Mani Moore had a few opportunities to break the deadlock with his left-footed set-pieces. But none of his efforts were able to find the back of the net.

Moore, a former Ginga stand-out, was involved in the opening goal, which came in the 39th minute. The Ginga defence failed to deal with his lofted free kick into the box and midfielder Nahshon Mora was on spot to convert the loose ball.

Ginga finished the game with nine players, as Roberts and forward Sebastian Sanabria were both booked twice. (Sanabria was one of three Venezuelans in their squad.)

Remarkably, Roberts continued to play for approximately 10 minutes after being shown his second yellow card, before it was pointed out to the referee during the second half water break.

Arima Araucans head coach Wayne Sheppard was pleased with the overall outcome and credited his team for sticking to their plan, which sought to ensure that Ginga did not gain any momentum during the 80-minute affair.

“They have a lot of talented players—I looked at them playing before,” said Sheppard. “Our plan was to make it more difficult for them to advance the ball.

“We started with a high-pressing line [and] we created one or two opportunities which we didn’t take advantage of. And then we were fortunate to get a freekick [which] we got a rebound off of and one of our boys put it in.

“We never allowed them to get into their strides and we were in the ascendancy for the entire game. I have to congratulate my boys for sticking to the game plan.”

Ginga head coach Titre Gibson said he expected a competitive battle against the Araucans beforehand.

“It was expected that the game would have been intense,” he said. “I told the players it would have been this way. I think Araucans played to plan, they did well.

“We tried our best to stick to our plan but, unfortunately, we didn’t get the result we wanted.”

Gibson opted not to be overly critical of the match officials.

“I would say the refereeing could have been better,” he said. “I wouldn’t down the referee too much. I was told that she lacked experience so it was to be expected.

“[…] I wouldn’t even argue the point of [finishing with] nine players because [they] were red cards that were deserving. The boys made mistakes on the field and the emotions were running high. We couldn’t fight that.”

With the meeting between Trincity Nationals and Maloney RF FC postponed, the last game of the day at Barataria was a truly one-sided affair between FC Santa Rosa and MIC Matura ReUnited.

Matura, who are bottom of the table, turned up with eight players and were brushed aside 8-0.

Justin Phillips registered a hattrick for Rosa while Jamaal Sealey netted a pair and Christian Thomas, Jeremiah Neptune and Timon O’Brien also got their names on the scoresheet.

On the other side of the coin, Matura goalkeeper Sameer Bousignac deserved much plaudits, as he improved as the game went on and produced a number of excellent saves and blocks to prevent the scores from reaching into double figures.

Rosa are now fifth with nine points from six matches.

Entering the final round of games on 13 April, World Class face sixth-placed Trincity Nationals (three points) while the Araucans clash with Santa Rosa.

World Class are already through to the RBNYFL quarterfinals while Araucans need a draw to be certain but could pip the former team to zonal honours with a big win.

Should Rosa defeat the Araucans, either Beatnix or Ginga can still advance with a win when the third and fourth-placed teams clash.

In a bottom of the table clash, Maloney (three points) and Matura (zero points) will also bring their 2024 campaign to a close.

Republic Bank National Youth Football League results

Central Zone

Under-14

(Saturday 6 April)

Creek SCC 3 (Kuma Raphael OG 3, Aaden Jones 27, 80), Ultimate Unisons 3 (Julius Caesar 58, 76, Gabriel Britto 69) at Frederick Settlement;

Crown Trace FC 2 (Teshawn Carrington 78, 79), Evolution FC 1 (Kymani Phillips 19) at Frederick Settlement;

HVC FC 2 (Kavir Kallo 54, Dmitri Hajaree 59), Blue Hawks 1 (Xavier Reid 31) at Frederick Settlement;

Talent & Energy FC 6 (Matthew Parks 9, 42, 52, Aliandro Asevero 30, Tishawn Williams 38, Jesus Martinez 76), San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Emanuel Edwards 35, 74) at Frederick Settlement;

Under-16

(Sunday 7 April)

Beatnix SC 5 (Essien Thomas 6, Jahmarley Ellis 37, 49, Khalid Jones 50, Carden Crawford 74), Evolution FC 0 at UWI Spec;

MIC Matura ReUnited 2 (Jerrel Charles 26, Michael Jerome 67), Gasparillo Youths 1 (Caleb Cayenne 2) at UWI Spec;

Crown Trace FC 3, Waterloo Institute 0 at UWI Spec;

*–Crown Trace won by default

FC Tigers 1 (Jason Gamaldo 52), Hearts FC 0 at UWI Spec;

Under-20

(Saturday 6 April)

Crown Trace FC 2 (Anthony Mohammed 11, Alex Piper OG 85), Blue Hawks 1 (Johnathan Emrith 33) at UWI Spec;

Cooper’s Coaching Academy 3 (Raheem Henry 34, Kyle Phillips 65, 69), MIC Matura ReUnited 2 (Daniel Rose 41, Jamell Cooper 79) at UWI Spec;

Prison Service FC 4 (Jayden Crichlow 37, 84, 87, Donte Alvarez 49), Talent & Energy FC 1 (Isiah Mitchell 6) at UWI Spec;

Evolution FC 8 (Josiah Hypolite 2, 40, 45, 47, Mandela Derry OG 40, 87, Judah Chinapoo 44, 88), Kamillionare FC 2 (Darion Boswell 61, Damarion Boswell 76) at UWI Spec;

East Zone

Under-14

(Saturday 6 April)

World Class 2 (Jahiem Fonrose 40, 52), Beatnix SC 0 at Republic Bank Grounds;

Arima Araucans 1 (Nahshon Mora 39), FC Ginga 0 at Republic Bank Grounds;

FC Santa Rosa 8 (Jamaal Sealey 13, 18, Justin Phillips 28, 35, 36, Christian Thomas 31, Jeremiah Neptune 65, Timon O’Brien 70), MIC Matura ReUnited 0 at Republic Bank Grounds;

Under-16

(Sunday 7 April)

FC Santa Rosa 6 (Tyrell Jacob 18, 48, Christopher St Louis 27, 44, 72, Jared Guevara 54), Ultimate Unisons 0 at UWI Admin Field;

World Class 8 (Marcel Valentine 11, 39, 40, 49, Shumba Cudjoe 24, 46, 68, 72), Creek SCC 0 at UWI Admin Field;

HVC FC 7 (Marquise Austin 10, Ky’mani Prieto 33, 80+1, Jaylen Hinds 55, 73, 80, Marquis Allen 60), PUFA 0 at UWI Admin Field;

FC Ginga 4 (Criston Gomez 13, Antuan Louison 64, Garrick Thomas OG 68, Elisha Neils 78), Arima Araucans Academy 0 at UWI Admin Field;

Under-20

(Saturday 6 April)

HVC FC 3 (Ky’mani Prieto 28, Andel Richards 66, 83), PUFA 1 (Ability Hazel 78) at UWI Admin Field;

FC Ginga 6 (Reshaun Gulston 3 pen, 6, 31, 63, Kyle Dwarika 22, Kyle Waldron 63), Maloney RF FC 1 (Akeem St Phillip 45) at UWI Admin Field;

Beatnix SC 4 (Mark Thomas 4, 63, Tyrell Stapleton 43 pen, Abraham Kirk 90), Malabar Young Stars 3 (Isaiah Edwards 22, 90, 90+3 pen) at UWI Admin Field;

AIA 3, Kick Start Academy 0 at UWI Admin Field;

*–AIA won be default;

North Zone

Under-14

(Saturday 6 April)

Belmont AFE 9 (Daniel Radix 3, 13, 18, Jalani Forde 12, Josima Alfred 33, 41, Isaiah Letren 35, Omarly Strong 40, Isaiah Subero 43), First Kick Academy 0 at Trinity Moka;

*–Game abandoned as First Kick had less than six players after Dashawn Matthison was ejected for stopping goal scoring opportunity with hands;

City FC 7 (Matthew Lee Young 8, Reagan Rowe 15, 33, Jeremai Nanton 20, 42, 76, Brandon Chin Sang 66), Project Pro 2 (Luke Greenidge 26, Andre Constantine 64) at Trinity Moka;

Cardinals Football Academy 11 (Jaylon Roberts 19, 64, Deron Blackman 31, Christian Renne 39, 48, 56, Jonmichael Abraham 60, Chad Grey 66, Mekhi Moore 71, Amani Seon 75, Kayden Moraldo 78), Dibe Dragons 1 (Jaheim Guy 11) at Trinity Moka;

Under-16

(Sunday 7 April)

City FC 2 (Phillip Nelson 43, Harland Samuel 56), Prison Service FC 0 at Trinity Moka;

Pro Series 3 (Alejandro Harper 17, Jake Barclay 36, Rajinio Garcia), Cardinals FA 0 at Trinity Moka;

Project Pro 3, Blue Hawks 0 at Trinity Moka;

*–Project Pro won by default;

Under-20

(Saturday 6 April)

Boyce Sports CC 1 (Brandon Parks 58), Cardinals Football Academy 0 at Trinity Moka;

Pro Series 3, Extreme FC 0 at Trinity Moka;

*–Pro Series won by default

Seekers FC 8 (Jaydon Roberts 11, Christopher Sauter 19, Marlon Hargreaves 45, 59, 68, Josiah Burke 49, 63, Johnathon Pascall 84), Santa Cruz United 0 at Trinity Moka;

City FC 3, First Kick Academy 0 at Trinity Moka;

*–City FC won by default

South Zone

Under-14

(Saturday 6 April)

Union Hall Utd 10 (Djoshua Cyrus 8, 17, Sherkeel Campbell 15, 33, Jeduthum Emptage 23, 31, 76, Ricardo Francois 59), Tiny Mikes 0 at Guapo Recreation Ground;

San Fernando SA 4 (Zavier Mitchell 21, Miciah Steele 49, Sameer Ramsamooj 53, Hezekiah Gaskin 58), Smart Academy 0 at La Brea Recreation Ground;

Under-16

(Sunday 7 April)

Union Hall Utd 2 (Dejosiah Cyrus 23, Melick Adams 68), Pt Fortin YA 1 (Jimally Renne) at Guapo Recreation Ground;

San Juan Jabloteh 11 (Kevlon Serrette 13, 72, Isaiah Audain 19, 55, Josiah Parris 29, 61, 73, J’arden Lester 34, Kesean King 50, Shaun Nelson 57), Plaisance Park Strikers 2 (Francois Benjamin OG 48, Nicholai Hurst 49 at Guapo Recreation Ground;

Under-20

(Saturday 6 April)

San Juan Jabloteh 2 (Eran McLeod 80, J’lon Matthews 89), Club Sando FC 0 at Guapo Recreation Ground;

Gasparillo Youths 1 (Chay Forde), San Fernando SA 0 at Guapo Recreation Ground;

Southstar Sports 3, Penal Is Love 0 at Guapo Recreation Ground;

Tobago Zone

Under-16

(Sunday 7 April)

North Stars 2 (Chelston Arthur 78, Dessel McLetchie 80+2), Georgia FC 1 (Ishmael Toney 70) at Courland;

Ball Blasters YA 3 (Malachi Peters 43, Devonte St Hillaire 58, Jeremiah 65), TJ’s Sporting Academy 2 (Olatunji Taitt 50, 72) at Courland;

Girls Trinidad

(Sunday 7 April)

MIC Matura ReUnited 13, Blue Hawks 0 at Republic Bank Sports Ground;

Trincity Nationals 9 (Aaliyah Williams 11, Mariah Williams 15 pen, 27, 76, Haylee Hinds 43, Tia Padilla 55, 60, Evangelina Farfan 71, 80), Eastern Counties 0 at Republic Bank Sports Ground;

San Juan Jabloteh 3, Curtis Orr Academy 0 at Republic Bank Sports Ground;

*–Jabloteh won by default

Talent & Energy FC 3, NED FC 0 at Balmain Recreation Ground;

*–NED FC were unable to field a team and forfeited game

Pleasantville FC 7 (Natalia Gosine 11, Nikita Gosine 32, Taianne Wylie 42, 82, Joenelle James 50, Tyiesha Mark 59, Khairiyah Fortune 76), Crown Trace FC 0 at Balmain Recreation Ground;

Girls Tobago

(Saturday 6 April)

Tobago Chicas FC 6 (Ayesha Leith 12, 70, 83, Talia Martin 30, Tyara McKenna 46, Kleneal Dillon 72), Combined Ballers 0 at Black Rock;

(Wednesday 10 April)

Black Panthers WSC 2 (Kellecia Taylor 55, 87), Jewels SC 0 at Courland Recreation Ground.