Haile Beckles got the lone goal with two minutes left on the clock as St Anthony’s College ended defending champions Naparima College unbeaten run at six matches to start the 2015 BGTT/First Citizens Secondary Schools Football League Premier Division campaign, with a 1-0 triumph.
Going into the match at its Lewis Street Ground, San Fernando, the Angus Eve-coached Naparima, which pipped the “Westmooring Tigers” to both the Premier Division and “Big-Four” crowns last year, led the table with 16 points from six matches, one more than South rivals, Presentation College.
However, in an evenly contested match, the “Tigers”, in the midst of one of their toughest campaigns in over a decade, stunned the table-leaders when Beckles conjured up the 88th minute to hand coach Nigel “Grovey” Grosvenor and his team three valuable points.
Despite the loss, Naparima stilled stayed top of the table as closest rival, Presentation College had to come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Shiva Boys’ at David Williams Recreation Ground, Penal.
Shiva Boys, which started the day as one of three two on 12 points, took the lead in the 49th minute via a strike from Shaquille John, but Kyle Moodie earned the visitors a share of the spoils with his 77th minute effort.
Presentation also has 16 points, but ‘Naps’ has a superior goal-difference of plus-seven to its plus-six while San Juan North is next with 15 points, followed by Shiva and St Mary’s College on 13.
San Juan North, third placed last season, continued its climb up the standings with a 3-0 away win over Carapichaima East and St Mary’s won 2-0 at Fyzabad.
In another St Augustine edged Trinity Moka 2-1 to join St Anthony’s on ten points; Queen’s Royal College blanked host Speyside 2-0 and Fatima College remained without win after a 1-1 draw at home with St Benedict’s College.
...QRC, Fyzabad brawl set for Friday hearing
Meanwhile the Secondary Schools Football League Disciplinary Committee is expected to meet on Friday to determine the outcome of last Saturday’s Premier Division match between QRC and Fyzabad which ended in a brawl 15 minute from full-time.
Contacted yesterday, SSFL Assistant Secretary Administration Gerald Elliot, said that the league will meet on Friday to determine the sanctions, if any to impose on the respective teams and players if needed. However, Elliot was still not able to confirm if match referee Larry Lalchan had submitted his report on the match.
On Saturday, the Royalians were ahead 3-2 before the match was called off by Larry Lalchan in the 75th minute as players and technical staff members from both teams engaged in a physical battle.
It allegedly began when Fyzabad’s Ronalldo London struck QRC midfielder Janos Lashley which resulted in Jahrique Stewart leaving the QRC bench and entering the field of play to confront London.
Fyzabad players responded by leaving their technical area as well causing a mini-fracas after which Lalchan showed both London and Stewart, red cards for their involvement.
Lalchan was then forced to blow off the contest as Fyzabad failed to return to the field of play leaving the matter to be decided by the Disciplinary Committee of the SSFL.