SSFL 25: Wright’s wonder strike shocks ‘Pres’; as Signal Hill dig deep for win

Signal Hill Secondary pulled off one of the biggest shocks of the 2025 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Premier Division season when they stunned title challengers Presentation College 1-0 at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium on Saturday.

The decisive moment arrived in the 10th minute when winger Immanual Wright cut inside and unleashed a thunderous left-footed shot that screamed into the top corner.

It was a goal worthy of the occasion, and even Presentation’s loyal fans were momentarily left speechless.

Signal Hill, once a powerhouse of the 1980s and 1990s, defended with heart and hunger to preserve the lead, sealing a famous victory that Tobago football fans will cherish for years to come.

The loss saw Presentation fall four points behind Fatima College, who were also tested in a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Queen’s Royal College at Mucurapo Road.

Naparima College stayed in second place despite an 8-0 drubbing of St Augustine Secondary, who shipped six goals in the first half.

The “Green Machine” were docked two points for fielding an ineligible player in a 1-1 draw against St Mary’s College on Wednesday 1 October.

Officially, St Mary’s would now have a 3-0 win over the Tacuma Jones-coached St Augustine. During the 2024 SSFL season, St Augustine was twice penalised with deducted points for using illegitimate players.

In the relegation zone, Scarborough Secondary beat Carapichaima East Secondary 2-1 at Shaw Park in the battle of the newly-promoted schools.

“Caps” are still without a point for the season and sit at the bottom of the table, with Scarborough just above them.

Trinity College (Moka) and Trinity College East are just a point ahead of Scarborough and in danger of being sucked into the relegation battle.

But the spotlight in Marabella belonged entirely to Wright and Signal Hill.

Presentation entered the match in red-hot form, boasting six wins from their last seven outings and 11 goals from star striker Isaiah “Baby Hulk” Jacobs.

Coach Dunstan Williams had warned his players about complacency, but his side’s youth and lack of on-field leadership once again proved costly.

“We have to keep on them about their attitude,” he said, “It’s such a young bunch in terms of age and experience, that I think overall I am lacking leadership on the field consistently.”

Signal Hill’s campaign, meanwhile, has been disrupted by travel and scheduling issues, limiting them to only four matches so far.

Yet a 4-0 demolition of Carapichaima, earlier in the week, lifted confidence and morale.

Coach Downie Marcelle said the team drew energy from their new dressing-room anthem: Popcaan’s Firm and Strong.

“That is our mantra. Coming into the game against Carapichaima, that was our headline song,” said Marcelle. “We are using that right now to continue that momentum.”

Playing away in Marabella, Signal Hill got off to a bright start.

Forwards Kyle James, Wright, and Jermaine Morgan pressed high and unsettled the usually composed Pres backline.

“We started the game poorly,” Williams conceded. “The same thing we tried to get them out of is the same thing they did.”

In the fifth minute, Wright fired a speculative effort that was blocked.

Five minutes later, he found himself with space near the edge of the box.

Presentation’s midfield failed to close him down, and the 16-year-old from Mason Hall let fly.

The ball rocketed into the top corner past goalkeeper Marcelo Phillip—a spectacular strike that sent the Signal Hill bench into pandemonium.

“That was the best goal for the season so far,” said Marcelle. “This is something he does a lot in training.”

Presentation suddenly looked rattled.

Wright almost doubled the lead three minutes later, lobbing over from close range, before seeing another goal ruled out for a foul on the keeper.

At the other end, Jacobs was isolated, forced to drop deep to collect the ball as Signal Hill’s disciplined defending denied him space.

“What was happening with us was that our ‘10’ was leaving our skipper exposed,” said Williams. “He had no support when the ball was played to him, and they were double- and triple-teaming him.”

“We were really organised, forcing him to drop deeper to try to construct plays,” said Marcelle with a smile.

Presentation’s brightest spell came midway through the first half.

Winger Tyrese Harding began finding joy down the right flank, forcing Signal Hill to scramble defensively.

“When we fixed it a little bit, it gave Tyrese Harding a lot more time,” said Williams.

His dangerous crosses twice found unmarked teammates, but the finishing let Pres down.

Goalkeeper Kaleb Romeo and captain Raevion Marshall led from the front, clearing headers, blocking shots, and throwing bodies in the way.

Signal Hill’s backline held firm, and when the half-time whistle went, their sense of belief was growing.

“This game was won and lost for me in the first half,” Williams said after.

Having weathered the storm, Marcelle sensed that an upset could be on the cards.

His half-time talk stressed organisation and communication.

“Communication creates organisation, and avoids penetration—that’s what I tell the boys,” Marcelle said. “Once we remain organised, and it showed.”

While the first half was more open, the second half became more attritional, with little goalmouth action.

Presentation fought for control of possession, but Signal Hill matched them step for step.

“I didn’t want the players to be too much negative, but at the same time, we approached it differently,” said Marcelle. “It became like a chess match. I think our organisation limited them to nothing.”

Presentation’s best chance came in the 65th minute.

Midfielder Nikosi Foncette struck it sweetly, curling towards the top corner, but Romeo dived full-stretch to tip it over the bar.

Moments later, Jacob delivered a teasing cross that flashed across the face of the goal, but there was no one in a Presentation shirt to tap it in.

Signal Hill repelled everything thrown at them. They held their shape well and revelled in every clearance made.

When referee Andrew Samuel blew his whistle, Signal Hill’s players collapsed in joy, commingled with exhaustion.

They had toppled one of the titans of secondary school football.

Coach Marcelle’s post-match smile was as broad as Scarborough itself.

“Presentation is a really, really strong outfit. We know we had to play our socks off, and you know what? We came away with a 1-0,” he said.

He said his team defended with heart and soul, and the victory will motivate them further.

“That is what Signal Hill is about. Heart and soul, and unity. One strength, one aim, one goal, one heart, one team,” Marcelle said. “To keep a clean sheet against the top scorers in the league is not an easy feat.”

For Signal Hill, Wright’s wonder strike was the big moment in the game, and his coach has high hopes for him.

“I hope that the national team in those particular age groups, 17 and U20, take a good look at him,” Marcelle said.

The victory took Signal Hill into the mid-table with three games in hand.

Their next match against Malick Secondary is loaded with history and pride.

“Now [Malick] are coming to our home—into the home of Bertille St Clair,” he said. “We are going to give our fans a show, and when Malick comes up, they can expect a game. The boys are ready!”

For Presentation, the loss was a harsh reminder that football can be the most humbling of sports.

Williams bemoaned the absence of leadership in his team.

“These days, what I find with youngsters is that everyone wants to be a part. Leadership is a lonely place,” Williams said.

“That is what we are lacking. We’ve been talking about it. We are exceeding our limits right now for the season, but we still have a long road to go.”

He pointed to Foncette’s yellow card and the general frustration as signs of a team still grappling with its own user manual.

“We are going to suck it in. We are going to talk to them. We are going to try to get them as prepared as possible,” he said.

“I think what we have to do more is deal with their mental, the mental more than their physical, and they will be all right.”

In the end, the match will be remembered for that beautiful swing of Immanual Wright’s left foot.

His team may not go on to win the SSFL title, but they reminded everyone that Signal Hill can still deliver a punch that can floor leviathans.

As a line from their new anthem goes: “Strong already, strong already, strong already, you know.”

Based on what was seen at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium on Saturday, Signal Hill surely are.

Teams

Presentation College (4-2-3-1): 1.Marcelo Phillip (GK); 2.Jordan Bernard, 3.Jimally Renne, 14.Joshua Bernard, 12.Mahkaya Mahon; 6.Nikosi Foncette, 19.Kwesi Seales (13.Raul Perreira 75); 15.Tyrese Harding (17.Tsean Simon 75), 9.Josiah Bain, 7.Roshaun Doobay; 10.Isaiah Jacob (captain).

Unused substitutes: 28.Joshua Alexander (GK), 16.Kyron Baptiste, 11.Gabriel Collins, 21.Oshea Watson.

Coach: Dunstan Williams.

Signal Hill Secondary (4-2-3-1): 1.Kaleb Romeo (GK); 14.Kyen Anderson, 2.Jaquon DeFour, 8.Raevion Marshall (captain), 3.Daishawn Bradshaw; 11.Antonio Hopkins, 6.Khaleem Trim; 12.Immanual Wright (19.Nickel Williams 69), 17.Jediael Marcelle (18.Ackim Duncan), 10.Jermaine Morgan; 9.Kyle James (13.Jaden Marcelle 90+).

Unused substitutes: 25.Emani Baptiste (GK), 24.Kisean Grant, 5.Callany Job, 20.Kaden James.

Coach: Downie Marcelle.

Referee: Andrew Samuel.

SSFL Premier Division results

(Sat 11 October)

Presentation (San F’do) 0, Signal Hill Sec 1 (Immanuel Wright 10) at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;

Malick Secondary 2 (Anest Da Silva 44, Jahda Riley 69), St Mary’s College 1 (Jaylon Roberts 1) at Serpentine Road;

St Benedict’s College 2 (Josiah Ochoa 49, Elijah David 90+4), Arima North 0 at Mahaica Sporting Complex;

Fatima College 2 (Jonathan Mason 71, Jeremai Nanton 75), QRC 1 (Jasai Theophilus 11) at Mucurapo Road;

Naparima College 8 (Arron Raymond 4, 70 pen, Elijah Edwards 15, Jabari Rodriguez 20, 43, Jerrel Cooper 38, Sebastian James 45, Riquelme Phillips 75), St Augustine Sec 0 at Lewis Street;

St Anthony’s College 4 (Jean-Marc Thomas 3, 33, Jaden Bobb 9, Aadil Abdul Hakeem Jr 65), Trinity East 2 (Kymanni Nicholls 9, Akeem Abdallah 57) at Westmoorings;

Scarborough Secondary 2 (Varel Wilson 12, Samuel Marcelle 27), Carapichaima East 1 (Karmali Wilson 62) at Scarborough ground;

Trinity College v San Juan North at Moka;

*–Did not play.

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