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St Augustine Secondary are in a race against time to have a bizarre red card rescinded in time for their Coca Cola National Intercol semifinal showdown with Naparima College on Friday afternoon, with attacker Elijah Baptiste unable to play as it stands.
Yesterday, St Augustine edged Carapichaima East Secondary 1-0 in the National Intercol quarterfinal at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
Baptiste watched the conclusion of the contest from the stands, after being ejected by referee Jovann Peters in an extraordinary decision captured on livestream.
In an off the ball incident, Carapichaima East defender Keilon Forde ran up to Baptiste from behind and clouted him at the back of the head. Baptiste fell to the ground and, when he got up, the attacker walked over to his coach Tacuma Jones as they awaited the referee’s decision.
And Peters’ ruling was a straight red card—for Baptiste!
Belatedly, Peters also expelled Forde. But it was little consolation to Jones, who is now without a key player for their biggest game of the season.
- St Augustine Secondary forward Elijah Baptiste is struck by Carapichaima East Secondary defender Keilon Forde–and then sent off by referee Jovann Peters.
St Augustine lodged an appeal today.
“Everyone was astonished by [the referee’s decision],” Jones told Wired868. “The Carapichaima player did not even get a card! It was the fourth official (Cecile Hinds) who called over the referee in her capacity and told him what happened.
“Only then, the player (Forde) was given a second yellow card.”
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868.
The expulsion put a damper on what should have been a happy outing for the “Green Machine”, who were recently crowned East Zone Intercol champions.
Captain Giovanni Hospedales put St Augustine ahead after only six minutes, and, although they never extended their lead, they were never particularly worried at the defensive end either.
In the 85th minute, Carapichaima East had an attacking freekick and Peters called Forde over to warn him about his aggressive behaviour inside the St Augustine penalty area.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
Just seconds after being admonished and before the kick was taken, Forde deliberately stepped on the boot of the smaller St Augustine defender, Rovalio Douen—in full view of the referee.
Douen did not retaliate. And Peters showed Forde a yellow card.
Yet, two minutes later, Peters inexplicably showed Baptiste, Forde’s second victim, a straight red card. And the referee needed an intervention by the fourth official, Cecile Hinds, to punish Forde.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
St Augustine hope that the Disciplinary Committee reviews the footage and ensures Baptiste is available for Friday’s semifinal.
It is the second active case from St Augustine, who also appealed the Disciplinary Committee’s decision to award three points and as many goals to Signal Hill Secondary following the East Zone’s team no-show for their scheduled fixture.
Should the Green Machine prevail, they could be given a third chance to travel to Tobago in a game of great significance in the Premier Division relegation race.
Photo: Dirk Allahar/ bcreative designs/ Wired868.
St Augustine need one point from Signal Hill to secure their place in the top flight for the 2026 season. If they lose, they will be relegated alongside Carapichaima East and either San Juan North Secondary or Scarborough Secondary.
If St Augustine draw or win in Tobago, Malick Secondary would be relegated in their place.
Yesterday also featured the Girls South Intercol final at the Ato Boldon Stadium, which was a straightforward affair with Pleasantville Secondary running out 5-0 winners over St Joseph’s Convent (San Fernando).
Photo: Dirk Allahar/ bCreative/ Wired868.
Kaeley Martin’s 14th minute strike was all “P-ville” had to show for the first half. However, the defending zonal champions widened the gap significantly in the second half with a Zara Chase hattrick and a successful penalty from midfielder Natalia Gosine.
Pleasantville will meet the North Zone champions next in the Girls Intercol semifinal round.
Intercol results
(Tue 2 Dec)
Pleasantville Sec 5 (Kaeley Martin 14, Zara Chase 47, 49, 58, Natalia Gosine 56 pen), St Joseph’s Convent (San F’do) 0 at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Carapichaima East Sec 0, St Augustine Sec 1 (Giovanni Hospedales 6) at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Photo: Dirk Allahar/ bCreative/ Wired868.
Upcoming Intercol fixtures
(Wed 3 Dec)
Signal Hill Sec vs Bishop’s High, 3pm, Girls Tobago finals, Dwight Yorke Stadium;
Signal Hill Sec vs Speyside Sec, Boys Tobago finals, Dwight Yorke Stadium;
St Joseph’s Convent (POS) vs Holy Name Convent (POS), 3pm, Girls North final, Hasely Crawford Stadium;
Fatima College vs St Anthony’s College, 5pm, Boys North final, Hasely Crawford Stadium,
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
(Fri 5 Dec)
Naparima College v St Augustine Secondary, Boys National semis, Ato Boldon Stadium,
(Sun 7 Dec)
Five Rivers Secondary vs Tobago, Girls National semifinal, 3.30pm, TBA.
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Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
