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St Benedict’s College held their nerves while Signal Hill Secondary lost theirs in the National Intercol semifinal this afternoon at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.
And, as a result, it was the South Zone champions who emerged victorious, as they prevailed 4-3 in a penalty shootout—after the scores were locked 1-1 at the end of regulation time.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
St Benedict’s College now continue their quest for the Premiership-Intercol double.
Skipper Derrel Garcia put the “La Romaine Lions” in front after three minutes, only for Signal Hill substitute Immanuel Wright to equalise from the penalty spot in the sixth minute of second half stoppage time (90+6).
St Benedict’s goalkeeper Thane Devenish was the hero in the shootout, as he saved efforts from J’Meke Watkins and Kyle James—after Wright, Raevion Marshall and Nickel Williams converted Signal Hill’s first three kicks.
Devenish went to his right to deny Signal Hill’s fourth attempt from Watkins, and he was mobbed by his teammates after moving low to his left to thwart James’ right-footed try.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
Josiah Ochoa, Adam Pierre, Ethan Trotman and Garcia were on target for the La Romaine Lions and, coincidentally, all wrongfooted Signal Hill’s goalie Rondell Marcelle.
“It is a lottery,” said Signal Hill coach Downie Marcelle, after the shootout. “It is not something that you want as a coach. It’s whoever hold their nerves [better] wins, and I thought Benedict’s experience showed today.
“They were really good with their penalties. Hats off to them.”
Regardless of his off-field ‘matter’, Garcia has been a joy to watch this season, with his pace, movement and an eye for goal.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
And all three factors were in full effect in the third minute, when his broke the deadlock for his team.
Centre-back Williams made a hash of a defensive clearance, from a hopeful punt by midfielder Lyshaun Morris. Trotman pounced on the loose ball and squared for Garcia, to his right. Garcia, made a few steps to his right and smashed a right-footed shot over the reach of the opposing goalkeeper
Trotman could have put his team further ahead 20 minutes later, with a headed chance which was denied by Marcelle (R).
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
Garcia had a role in two close efforts for his team, shortly before the halftime interval.
In the 42nd minute, Garcia smashed a right-footed shot against the crossbar. And, in first stoppage time, Benedict’s central defender Isaiah David skied his effort, with only the goalie to beat, after the Tobago school failed to clear Garcia’s corner kick.
“I thought St Benedict’s started better than us,” commented Marcelle (D). “They scored an early goal [off] a mistake by us. One of my defenders was reckless with a clearance—he swung and missed the ball, and St Benedict’s capitalised.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
“When you’re playing against a team like St Benedict’s, you don’t want to give them chances. You want them to work for their chances. We gave them an easy [chance] and they scored.
“But we came back into the game nicely. In the second half, we started so well. The boys listened to the instructions and we went with a more direct approach. [We] moved away from the passing game and we put them under pressure.”
Two minutes into the second half, left-back Mario Pereira swung a freekick from the right which forced Devenish to tip onto the crossbar.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
Signal Hill were getting centre forward James more involved, although he lacked support from his midfielders—and St Benedict’s continued to keep their feet on the gas.
Morris spurned two chances to put the game beyond Signal Hill’s reach. In the 59th minute, he sent a right-footed shot inches wide of the target. And, in the 74th minute, his right-footed effort was blocked by the opposing goalie when he might have done better if he had used his left foot.
Signal Hill conceded a goal by a defensive mistake and, as Lady Luck would have it, they benefitted from the same.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
In the fifth minute of second half stoppage time, referee Crystal Sobers awarded a penalty after David’s right-footed attempted clearance struck his left hand.
Wright placed his penalty to the top right-hand corner, even though Devenish guessed correctly.
“Had we scored five minutes earlier, we could have won the game 2-1,” said the Signal Hill coach. “It wasn’t meant to be. It went to penalty kicks and the players from St Benedict’s, with their experience, held their nerves.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
“It’s unfortunate for [our] guys but congratulations to St Benedict’s and I wish them all the best.”
A St Benedict’s College official barred his technical staff from sharing their feelings on their semifinal conquest.
“We’re not doing any interview with Wired,” said the official.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
St Benedict’s can now turn their attention to the final on Thursday 5 December when they will face Fatima College at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
Teams
Signal Hill Secondary (4-3-3): 1.Rondell Marcelle (GK); 3.Nickel Williams, 8.Raevion Marshall, 13.Kerron Arthur (captain), 5.Mario Pereira (14.Kyen Anderson 87); 15.Khaleem Trim (12.Immanuel Wright 46), 6.Jaden Richardson, 10.Jermaine Morgan (7.J’meke Watkins 71); 11.Antonio Hopkins (21.Siel Mills 87), 9.Kyle James, 23.Damario Henry (2.Jaquon De Four 67).
Unused substitutes: 25.Kaleb Romeo (GK), 16.Daevion Maxime, 17.Jediael Marcelle, 19.Israel Trim, 22.Meshach Des Vignes.
Coach: Downie Marcelle
St Benedict’s College (4-3-3): 22.Thane Devenish (GK); 2.Ackeem James (18.Kylon Cayenne 36), 17.Joshua Figaro, 3.Isaiah David, 13.Elijah George; 12.Josiah Ochoa, 4.Adam Pierre, 19.Lyshaun Morris; 8.Cam’ron Burke (7.Elijah David 70), 10.Derrel Garcia (captain),11.Ethan Trotman.
Unused substitutes: 1.Naftali Charles (GK), 5.Sahrai Mitchell, 6.Salim Soanes, 9.Jelani Stoute, 14.Josiah Barrow, 15.Nathan George, 16.Kai Robertson, 20.Jelanie Scott, 21.Ruben Phillips,
Coach: Randolph Boyce
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
National Intercol semifinals
(Thu 28 Nov)
Fatima College 2 (Jedaiah King 21, Caden Trestrail 88), San Juan North 0 at Diego Martin Complex;
(Fri 29 Nov)
Signal Hill Secondary 1 (Immanuel Wright 90+6 pen), St Benedict’s College 1 (Derrel Garcia 3) at Ato Boldon Stadium;
*–St Benedict’s won 4-3 on penalty kicks
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868
Upcoming fixture
(Thu 5 Dec)
Fatima College vs St Benedict’s College, 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.
