SSFL 26: “Naps” hit Benedict’s for six; Glori-ous Signal Hill down “P-ville”

Defending champions Naparima College made a sizzling start to their 2026 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) campaign this evening, as they spanked St Benedict’s College 6-0 in the Boys SSFL Super Cup at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

Signal Hill Secondary took the Girls Super Cup, thanks to a superb hattrick from substitute Gloria Henry, as the Tobago outfit triumphed 4-2 over Pleasantville Secondary.

Naparima College forward Adasa Richardson (right) tries to elude Presentation College (San F’do) midfielder Nikosi Foncette during SSFL Premier Division action at Lewis Street, San Fernando on 22 October 2025.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.

Women’s Soca Warriors standout Nikita Gosine scored twice for “P-ville”—both from penalties she won herself—but Pleasantville never led against an organised Signal Hill team.

The Tobago team might have been a bit lucky about Alliyah Baptiste’s opener, as Pleasantville goalkeeper Akeila Marryshow might have done better. But one could admire Henry’s sprints into space and cool finishing in the second half, as she stole the show, and the trophy, for her girls.

If the first game was dominated by Henry’s individual ability, “Naps” gave an impressive team display in the second affair, against a weakened St Benedict’s team.

Signal Hill Secondary defeated Pleasantville Secondary 4-2 to claim the 2026 SSFL Super Cup.
(via Signal Hill Secondary.)

Benedict’s coach Randolph Boyce, who is also Trinidad and Tobago Boys U-14 and U-17 coach, played primarily Under-16 players for the SSFL’s curtain-raiser, for the third time in four years.

On the first occasion in 2023, Benedict’s edged Fatima College 4-3—thanks to a treble by gifted youngster Derrel “Zoom Zoom” Garcia. The second time, in 2025, Fatima edged the shadow Benedict’s team 4-2 on penalty kicks after a goalless draw.

Today, as Boyce repeated the ploy for a third time, Naparima, steered by former Men’s National Senior Team head coach Angus Eve, showed no mercy.

Captain Darion Hernandez opened the scoring with a header in the 10th minute, as the opposing goalkeeper misjudged a right-side free kick. And Naparima got their second off a cross as well, with forward Adasa Richardson nodding home a gorgeous inswinging delivery by Xavi James.

Other teams might have taken their foot off the accelerator. Instead, Naps turned the screws, as they smothered St Benedict’s off the ball and rotated possession efficiently once they won it—with defender Antonio Hills exhibiting fine distribution from deep.

Naparima College defender Antonio Hills (left) in action against Arima North Secondary during the 2025 SSFL Premiership season.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.

Midfielder D’lani Hunte got Naparima’s third in the 48th minute, after the opposing defence was suitably distracted by a barrelling Richardson run. And Arron Raymond came off the bench to notch their fourth in the 52nd minute, from a Richardson cross.

Raymond played a big part in Naparima’s fifth, as he won a penalty that was clinically dispatched by another substitute, Malique Hinds.

Hinds’ encore was a thing of beauty, as he teased the opposing right back before sprinting clear to beat the Benedict’s goalkeeper. Remember the name.

Naparima College students cheer on their team during their SSFL Premier Division derby contest with Presentation College (San F’do) at Lewis Street on 22 October 2025.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.

Naparima are on a bye in mid-week while Benedict’s would want to forget about this evening’s affair quickly, as they travel to Moka to tackle Trinity College next.

But first, the SSFL Premier Division will get going in Tobago with a derby between east and west-based schools, Signal Hill and Speyside Secondary, in Shaw Park.

SSFL Super Cup

(Fri 11 Sep)

Pleasantville Secondary 2 (Nikita Gosine 30 pen, 68 pen), Signal Hill Secondary 4 (Alliyah Baptiste 18, Gloria Henry 56, 57, 67) at Ato Boldon Stadium;

Naparima College 6 (Darion Hernandez 10, Adasa Richardson 26, D’lani Hunte 48, Arron Raymond 52, Malique Hinds 75 pen, 78), St Benedict’s College 0 at Ato Boldon Stadium.

Naparima College Arron Raymond (right) crosses the ball while Presentation College (San F’do) midfielder Nikosi Foncette watches on during their SSFL Premier Division contest at Lewis Street on 22 October 2025.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.

Upcoming Premier Division fixtures

(Sat 12 Sep)

Speyside Secondary vs Signal Hill Secondary, 3.40pm, Shaw Park;

(Wed 16 Sep)

St Anthony’s College vs Hillview College, 3.40pm, St Anthony’s;

Presentation (San F’do) vs Arima North Sec, 3.40pm, Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;

Queen’s Royal College vs Speyside Secondary, 3.40pm, QRC;

Fatima College vs Malick Secondary, 3.40pm, Fatima;

Signal Hill Sec vs Mucurapo West Sec, 3.40pm, Signal Hill;

St Mary’s College vs St Augustine Sec, 3.40pm, Serpentine Road;

Trinity College East vs San Juan North Sec, 3.40pm, Trinity East;

Trinity College vs St Benedict’s College, 3.40pm, Moka;

Naparima College are on a bye.

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One comment

  1. Two star athletes…two different islands…SAME ROOT START IN TRACK AND FIELD!
    Track speed is a HUGE difference maker. But yuh know what else: After two seasons of track training…training for ANYTHING ELSE looks like a side hobby after that

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