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Naparima College continued to build on their statement win from round one of the 2025 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) season, with a 3-1 come from behind win over Arima North Secondary at the Arima Velodrome today.
The result saw “Naps” stay perfect on top of the table, although Presentation College (San Fernando), St Benedict’s College, Signal Hill Secondary and defending champions Fatima College all made strong starts today.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
Fatima and Presentation both recorded 3-0 wins over Scarborough Secondary and Trinity College East respectively while St Benedict’s downed Queen’s Royal College 4-1 at Mahaica Oval and Signal Hill routed Trinity College 7-1.
At the Velodrome, it really was a game of two halves.
Naps, in their pink away strip, struggled to string passes together early on—under a relentless Arima press, which forced them into numerous passing errors. And Arima striker Zion Metivier took advantage of a defensive lapse to put his team in front on 36 minutes.
The hosts should have increased their lead but a combination of poor finishing and a last-ditch clearance kept Micha’el John’s two opportunities out.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
Then, Naparima found some inspiration from forward Adasa Richardson, who did well to hold off Hasheem Hill in the box before squaring the ball for Xarion France to tap in the equaliser.
It was a real punch in the gut for Arima, who had given away nothing defensively until then but were trying to substitute injured defender Garrick Thomas at the time.
Naparima were more fluent on the ball in the second half but Arima generally kept them at arm’s length. However, as the game neared full-time, fatigue started to set in for the hosts and Naps took full advantage.
The Dial Dynamos failed to clear a cross and Naparima full back Sebastian James got space to place the ball beyond opposing goalkeeper Micaiah Thomas in the 86th minute.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
And, two minutes into stoppage time, Naps made sure of the three points as flanker Arron Raymond wriggled free to cross for substitute Ryan Radellant to head home from close range.
Arima North might have felt they deserved more out of the game, based on their first half performance—but it was Naparima who prevailed, with their early lead at the top of the table intact.
SSFL Premier Division results
(Wed 17 September)
Arima North 1 (Zion Metivier 36), Naparima College 3 (Xarion France 45+2, Sebastian James 86, Ryan Radellant 90+3) at Arima Velodrome;
Scarborough Secondary 0, Fatima College 3 (Reagan Rowe, Seth Hadeed, Jahaem Bailey) at Scarborough ground;
Presentation (San F’do) 3 (Jordan Bernard 19, Isaiah Jacob 53, 90), Trinity East 0 at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;
St Benedict’s College 4 (Jelani Stoute 29, Adam Pierre 60, 76, Jaylon Figaro 85), QRC 1 (Joshua Figaro OG 77) at Mahaica Oval;
St Mary’s College 5 (Nadeem Grant 32, Eran McLeod 40, Jaylon Manswell 75, Finn De Freitas 82, Joshua Miguel 87), Carapichaima East 2 (Khaleil Serrette OG 2, Jerel Charles 12) at Serpentine Road;
Signal Hill Sec 7 (Jmeke Watkins 27, Immanuel Wright 42, Jadiael Marcelle 68, Nickel Williams 79, Kyle James 90, 90+3, Jahmiah Gibbes 90+6), Trinity College 1 (Jediah David 5) at Signal Hill;
San Juan North 1 (Malique Marrasat 11), St Augustine Sec 1 (Giovanni Hospedales 24) at Bourg Mulatresse.
Editor’s Note: The fixture between St Anthony’s College and Malick Secondary at Westmoorings did not play due to extremely heavy field conditions.
Standings:
2025 Premier Division
| Pos | Club | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Naparima | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 9 | 6 |
| 2 |  St Mary's | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| 3 |  St Augustine | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 4 |  Signal Hill | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 3 |
| 5 |  St Benedict's | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 6 |  Fatima | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 6 |  Presentation | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 8 |  Trinity Moka | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 8 | -3 | 3 |
| 9 |  San Juan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 10 |  Arima North | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 1 |
| 11 |  QRC | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 1 |
| 11 |  Scarborough Sec | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 1 |
| 13 |  St Anthony's | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 |  Malick | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| 15 |  Carapichaima | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 9 | -6 | 0 |
| 16 |  Trinity East | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 | -10 | 0 |
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