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Thirteen-year-old form one student J’quan Bernard made a dream debut in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) SporTT Premiership today, as he came off the bench to grab the decisive goal in a 2-1 win for Speyside Secondary against Signal Hill Secondary in Shaw Park.
The result meant that newly promoted Speyside started their 2026 campaign with three points, while Signal Hill must wait for their first positive result of the season.
- Speyside Secondary attacker Tevez Smith gets the opening goal during their SSFL Premiership contest against Signal Hill Secondary at Shaw Park on 12 September 2026.
Speyside went on to win 2-1.
(via Enrique Krupert.)
Signal Hill host another promoted team, Mucurapo West Secondary, from 3pm on Wednesday, while Speyside travel to Queen’s Royal College.
Speyside manager Kerry Lynch admitted that his troops were under the gun at times, against the 2025 National Intercol runners-up.
“Our defence really had to stand strong,” Lynch told Wired868. “For the majority of the second half, they were on the front foot; so we had to play on the counter attack.”
Speyside were demoted in 2024 but won immediate reinstatement to the top flight, via the 2025 First Citizens Big Five competition.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
Speyside were the home team but, due to field availability, were forced to play at Shaw Park—just minutes away from the Signal Hill base. The “Mantas” caused a stir in west Tobago, though, when Tevez Smith opened the score summary with a left-footed volley in the 31st minute, after their opponents failed to clear a left side free kick.
Signal Hill did not roll over, though, and got a deserved equaliser through captain and midfield playmaker Ackim Duncan, with 15 minutes remaining.
“Signal Hill are a highly talented and technical team,” said Lynch, “and I think after they equalised they really wanted to go for it—and they left spaces in behind.
“We were able to exploit some of the spaces in behind, on the counter attack.”
Bernard exhibited composure and decisiveness beyond his years when the time came, as he pounced on a rebound and feinted past an opponent, before burying a low shot past the Signal Hill goalkeeper.
And, for this weekend at least, Tobago school football has a new powerhouse.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
SporTT Premiership results
(Sat 12 Sep)
Speyside Secondary 2 (Tevez Smith 31, J’quan Bernard 85), Signal Hill Secondary 1 (Ackim Duncan 75) at Shaw Park;
Upcoming fixtures
(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 Secondary, 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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