SSFL 26: Thomas strikes again as “Saints” down Arima, while Benedict’s and “Pres Lions” draw

St Mary’s College extended their lead atop the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) SporTT Premiership standings today with a 2-0 win away to Arima North Secondary, as the “Saints” maintained their chase of a maiden Premier Division crown.

It took the visitors until the 61^st minute to open their account, as forward Jaedon Thomas flicked home a header off a corner kick. There was an air of inevitability about the contest after that.

No team has conceded less goals than the eight that St Mary’s let in this season. And the Dial Dynamos did not have enough about them to spoil opposing custodian Donnell Thomas’ clean sheet.

Jamari Gilkes got an insurance item for the Saints in the 68^th minute, after Arima North custodian Micah Greenaway palmed a cross into his path.

St Mary’s on 30 points, are now five minutes clear of their nearest rival—after St Benedict’s College had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Presentation College (San Fernando) in Marabella.

The “Pres Lions” struck after just two minutes, through utility player Aden Montano, who has five goals already this season. But winger Elijah David answered for the “La Romaine Lions” in the second half as the southern heavyweights settled for a point each.

St Benedict’s—who finished with 10 players, after a late red card to Maalik Charles—slipped two places to fourth, as a result of the tie, with four teams now on 25 points each.

Defending champions Naparima College climbed to second place, on goal difference, as they defeated San Juan North Secondary 2-0 at Lewis Street in San Fernando, with flanker Jaydon Caprietta getting his first item of the season.

Fatima College amassed 25 points too, with a 5-0 trouncing of Speyside Secondary on Mucurapo Road. Captain Jahaem “Yellows” Bailey was the star again with his fourth hattrick of the season, which took him to 19 league goals.

The all-time Premiership scoring record is 22, which was set by Presentation’s Isaiah “Baby Hulk” Jacob in 2025. Bailey has another four games to catch him.

Signal Hill Secondary are the fourth team on 25 points, after their 4-0 triumph over relegation-threatened St Augustine Secondary in Warren Street, St Augustine today.

Attacking midfielder Jediael Marcelle and captain J’meke Watkins scored two each for the Tobagonians. Watkins has 11 goals already this term.

Hillview College forward Cristiano Hinds also has 11 items, as he got the opening goal in a 4-1 triumph over bottom placed Trinity College East at El Dorado Road today.

The score was 1-1 at one stage, as the “Blue Hawks” equalised through gifted 14-year-old forward Victory Wuddivira, while Hillview led by only a solitary goal after 90 minutes.

Two stoppage time strikes by Tafari Kerr and Ky’Mani Prieto put some gloss on the scoreline, though, as Hillview recorded their second successive win—both coming at home against struggling outfits.

By then, Trinity East were down to 10 players, after midfielder Jakwon Howell was ejected for two yellow cards.

There were goals galore at Moka, where hosts Trinity College twice recovered from deficits to lead 4-3, only for Malick to snatch a point through a second half stoppage time Kaydon Fox item.

Trinity College have eight points from 10 games and are 14^th in the 17-team standings, with the bottom four schools set for demotion.

San Juan North are just one point clear from the relegation zone. Nervy times are ahead, then.

St Anthony’s College look safe for now, as they stretched their unbeaten streak to four games today with a 2-1 triumph over second from bottom Mucurapo West Secondary.

The “Westmoorings Tigers”, who got their winner from Christian Renne today, have three wins and a draw from their last outings.

They face St Augustine Secondary on Warren Street next, in an important fixture in the relegation race. Mucurapo West also host Trinity College East in midweek, in an affair that neither team could afford to lose.

At the other end of the standings, first placed St Mary’s College host St Benedict’s at Serpentine Road in St Clair.

Coach Cornell Glen would have one hand on the trophy if his troops can get through that contest unscathed.

SSFL Premiership results

(Sat 24 Oct)

Presentation College (San F’do) 1 (Aden Montano 3), St Benedict’s College 1 (Elijah David 62) at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;

Arima North Secondary 0, St Mary’s College 2 (Jaedon Thomas 61, Jamari Gilkes 68) at Arima Velodrome;

Fatima College 5 (Jonathan Mason 6, Jahaem Bailey 27, 48, 84, Jeremai Nanton 53), Speyside Secondary 0 at Fatima;

Hillview College 4 (Cristiano Hinds 32, Tafari Kerr 45, 90, Ky’Mani Prieto 90+2), Trinity College East 1 (Victory Wuddivira 42) at Hillview;

Naparima College 2 (Jaydon Caprietta 38, Jabari Rodriguez 45), San Juan North Secondary 0 at Lewis Street;

St Anthony’s College 2 (Levi Johnson OG 13, Christian Renne 59), Mucurapo West Secondary 1 (Marlon Jordan 63 pen) at St Anthony’s;

St Augustine Secondary 0, Signal Hill Secondary 4 (Jediael Marcelle 34, 62, J’meke Watkins 51, 67) at St Augustine;

Trinity College 4 (Jashon Forde 40, Malachi Roach 57, Kevez Quintero 82, Isaiah Castillo OG 86), Malick Secondary 4 (Keisean Spence 17, 55, Israel Outar 45+4, Kaydon Fox 90+4) at Moka;

Queen’s Royal College are on a bye.

2026 Premiership Standings

Pos	Club	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	St Mary's	12	9	3	0	30	8	22	30
2	Naparima	11	8	1	2	33	10	23	25
3	Signal Hill	11	8	1	2	26	12	14	25
4	Fatima	11	7	3	1	34	14	20	24
5	St Benedict's	11	7	3	1	27	7	20	24
6	Presentation	11	6	3	2	24	11	13	21
7	Arima North	11	6	0	5	26	24	2	18
8	Hillview	11	5	2	4	33	22	11	17
9	Malick	11	4	1	6	27	29	-2	13
10	Speyside	12	4	1	7	17	34	-17	13
11	QRC	11	3	3	5	13	15	-2	12
12	St Anthony's	11	3	3	5	18	23	-5	12
13	San Juan	11	3	0	8	15	25	-10	9
14	Trinity College	10	2	2	6	20	39	-19	8
15	St Augustine	11	2	2	7	17	36	-19	8
16	Mucurapo W	12	1	2	9	12	33	-21	5
17	Trinity East	12	1	2	9	14	44	-30	5

Upcoming fixtures

(Wed 28 Oct)

Naparima College vs Queen’s Royal College, 3.40pm, Lewis Street;

Malick Secondary vs Presentation (San F’do), 3.40pm, TBA;

Mucurapo West Sec vs Trinity College East, 3.40pm, Mucurapo West;

San Juan North Sec vs Hillview College, 3.40pm, San Juan North;

Signal Hill Sec vs Arima North Sec, 3.40pm, Signal Hill;

Speyside Secondary vs Trinity College, 3.40pm, Speyside;

St Augustine Secondary vs St Anthony’s College, 3.40pm, St Augustine;

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

Fatima College are on a bye.

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