Tigers oust Fatima as North Zone leaders

THE “Tigers” St Anthony’s displaced Fatima atop the North Zone standings in the British Gas Secondary Schools Football League after a 6-1 demolition of St Mary’s at St Anthony’s Grounds, Westmoorings yesterday. Captain Julius James, Troy Thompson, Akil De Freitas, Hans Rogers, Abiola Sandy and Kwesi Thompson were all on target as the Tigers recorded their fourth win from five matches. Fatima saw their unbeaten run ended by the inconsistent QRC, who prevailed 2-1 at the QRC Grounds. Aldo Hope put the Royalians in front after seven minutes, with Stephan St Louis drawing level for Fatima in the 9th.

But a Jared Sampson item in the 34th gave the Royalians full points, their third win in as many games. Malick got goals from Hayden Tinto and Andre Joseph as they drew 2-2 against Mucurapo at the Fatima Grounds while Diego Martin edged the sliding Morvant/Laventille 1-0 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. Arima’s striker Devon King was both hero and villain as his team whipped newcomers Hillview 4-0, to remain atop the East Zone, at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya. Kevon Smith gave the “Dial Dynamos” the lead after 12 minutes with King doubling his team’s advantage in the 26th. Ricardo Da Silva netted Arima’s third in the 38th while the prolific King tapped home from close range, with a through pass from Kendal Jagdeosingh, in the 67th.

St George’s registered the day’s biggest upset, with a come-from-behind 3-1 win over “the Blue Thunder” El Dorado at the St George’s Grounds with Yannick Pilgrim, Jabari Lander and Kempess Villafana finding the target while Barataria handed San Juan their fifth straight loss, 5-2 at the Barataria Grounds. And “the Green Machine” St Augustine got a double from Shane Calderon, in the 9th and 89th minutes, and another from Kevin McCollin in the 20th, to defeat Toco 3-0 at St Augustine. Pleasantville kept a slim edge over St Benedict’s atop the South Zone after they were held to a 1-1 draw against Vessigny at the Mahaica Oval, Point Fortin while Mayaro edged Fyzabad 1-0 at the Mayaro Recreation Ground. Benedict’s were forced to come from behind twice to draw 2-2 against Naparima in the second match of a double-header at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.

The experienced Brenton De Leon gave Naparima the lead after 30 minutes before Kendall Penny equalised in the 35th. A penalty from defender Ancil Farrier put Naparima back in front but the La Romain lads earned a share of the points with a Devon Drayton penalty in the 74th. In the earlier match, defending champs Princes Town thrashed bottom-placed Presentation San Fernando 5-1. Signal Hill are ahead of reigning champs Scarborough in the Tobago Zone after a 4-0 mauling of Bishop’s at the Signal Hill Grounds. And Elizabeth’s needed a 49th minute equaliser from Torren Alexander to draw 1-1 against Roxborough at Shaw Park, after Curtnell Joseph put Roxborough ahead in the 39th.