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It was a signal of intent from Signal Hill Secondary at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, as they drubbed Miracle Ministries High School 6-0 in the 2024 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Coca-Cola National Intercol quarterfinal.
Jermaine Morgan netted twice for Signal Hill, with one goal apiece from Kyle James, Immanual Wright, Antonio Hopkins and Israel Trim.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
The Tobago outfit will meet St Benedict’s College next in Friday’s semifinal at the same venue. Fatima College and San Juan North Secondary contest the other semifinal match from 4.30pm on Thursday at the Diego Martin Complex.
Today’s Intercol affair was the first match of a double-header in Couva, with Pleasantville Secondary whipping Five Rivers Secondary 3-0 in the closing contest to cop the Girls Big 5 crown.
Captain Tayeann Wylie notched a pair of goals (12th and 13th minutes) while fellow midfielder Nikita Gosine (71st) got the other.
Signal Hill had little to no trouble getting into the Intercol’s final four. Morgan started the scoring spree against the overwhelmed Miracle Ministries team in the sixth minute, when he slotted a right-footed shot to the right of opposing goalkeeper Kieron Guy after a pass from centre-forward James.
Photo: Sean Morrison/ Wired868
That goal set the tone for the match, as Signal Hill’s front three of James, Ackim Duncan and Damario Henry—as well as their #10 Morgan—dictated terms.
James’ pace and movement regularly troubled the Miracle Ministries defence, and he doubled his team’s lead in the 24th minute with a right-footed shot beyond Guy’s reach, after he was sent clear on goal by Morgan.
The third goal came with 31 minutes on the clock, with a composed left-footed finish from Morgan, to the left of the Miracle Ministries’ goalie, following a through-ball from Duncan.
“We didn’t start well—we started a little bit slow,” said Miracle Ministries coach Marcus Rivers, after the match. “We were lacking concentration. Our game plan was to keep the ball moving [and] get into space. It didn’t work for us.”
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
Wright, a second-half substitute, got his name on the scoresheet in the 54th minute with a darting run through the heart of the opposition defence before settling and tapping home from close range.
That goal summed up Miracle Ministries’ troubles in the back, as Wright got inside of the penalty box, with four defenders in sight, yet nobody posed any danger to the right-winger who was allowed to score from eight metres.
A neat midfield exchange resulted in Signal Hill’s fifth, which Antonio Hopkins (71st) finished from inside of the penalty box, and the rout was completed in the 89th minute with a right-footed effort from Israel Trim, which beat Guy to his near post.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
“I thought it was a decent performance,” said Signal Hill’s coach Downie Marcelle. “It could have been better in terms of how we passed the ball, but the boys gave a good account of themselves. I’m happy for them.”
Rivers acknowledged that his team were fighting against the odds despite being the “home team” in today’s encounter.
“There [are] lots of things that are going on in the background that a lot of people are not seeing, a lot of challenges,” Rivers said. “I give credit to the boys for coming out and playing well. We are the Central Zone [Intercol] champions. We came into this game with some confidence, but I think Signal Hill deserved that win today.”
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
When asked about the challenges for the relegation-bound outfit, Rivers replied: “Funding… the list is very long, and we don’t have time enough in this interview to explain all of them.”
As far as Signal Hill go, Marcelle noted that his team’s focus shifted from the Premiership to the Intercol contest since the midway mark in the season
“I think it’s about realistic goals and objectives,” he said. “Early in the season, we knew that winning the Prem is a big ask, but we could go far in the Intercol because it’s [a] knockout.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
“We stand a chance because all the games are one-offs. We would have prepared and we’re looking forward to St Benedict’s on Friday.”
Today was Miracle Ministries’ final game of the 2024 season.
“We got relegated from the Premiership,” said Rivers. “[There were] real challenges coming in… There was no preparation before the season. We tried to do what we could do with what we had.”
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
As far as Signal Hill are concerned, a sterner test awaits at the aforementioned Couva venue on Friday against South Zone champs, St Benedict’s.
“It’s the top team in the country, and they are the favourites heading into the match,” Marcelle noted. “We’re not going to be naïve, but we’re going to believe that we can do it.
“We are looking forward to the game between St Benedict’s and Signal Hill on Friday.”
Teams
Signal Hill Secondary (4-3-3): 25.Kaleb Romeo (GK); 3.Nickel Williams (2.Jaquon De Four 65), 8.Raevion Marshall, 13.Kerron Arthur (captain), 5.Mario Pereira; 6.Jaden Richardson, 10.Jermaine Morgan (14.Kyen Anderson 76), 11.Antonio Hopkins (17.Jediael Marcelle 76); 16.Ackim Duncan (12.Immanuel Wright 46), 9.Kyle James (19.Israel Trim 65), 23.Damario Henry (7.J’Meke Watkins 46).
Unused substitutes: 1.Rondell Marcelle (GK), 15.Khaleem Trim, 20.Deveon Maxime, 21.Siel Mills, 22.Meshach Des Vignes.
Coach: Downie Marcelle
Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School (4-5-1): 1.Kieron Guy (GK); 8.Jabari Noel (5.Immanuel Marchan 46), 3.Terriq Thomas (captain), 45.Gabriel Lewis, 11.Daniel Blacks (21.Mathias Squires 79); 10.Kyle Holder, 13.Rolando Solomon, 9.Miguel Chisholm (6.Shevon Lallo 46), 2.Keon Codrington, 14.Isaiah Mitchell; 17.Aaron Clement.
Unused substitutes: 31.Jeremy Modeste (GK), 4.Bryce Traboulay, 15.Makesi Henry, 16.Aadi Ramdhanie.
Coach: Marcus Rivers
Referee: Nikolai Nyron
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
Intercol result
(Tue 26 Nov)
Miracle Ministries PHS 0, Signal Hill Secondary 6 (Jermaine Morgan 6, 30, Kyle James, 24, Immanuel Wright 54, Antonio Hopkins 71, Israel Trim) at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868
Upcoming fixtures
(Thu 28 Nov)
Fatima College v San Juan North, semifinal, 4.30pm, Diego Martin Complex;
(Fri 29 Nov)
Signal Hill Sec v St Benedict’s College, semifinal, 4.30pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;
(Thu 5 Dec)
National Intercol final, 5.30pm, Ato Boldon Stadium.
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Joel Bailey is an experienced sport writer with over two decades’ experience at the Trinidad Newsday.
