Decisive clashes in North, South and Tobago today

WITH a full slate of matches scheduled in all five zones from 3.45 pm, three matches will be crucial to the outcome of the respective North, South and Tobago Zones of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL). Mucurapo, who hold a four-point lead over St Anthony’s in the North, have proven that they are the team to beat in their division, and they can set their sights on the Zonal crown with victory over the 2002 and 2003 champs at the “Tigers” backyard in Westmoorings. Fatima, who have an outside chance of claiming the title, will host the inconsistent St Mary’s at the Fatima Ground, QRC will host Morvant/Laventille while Malick will have an easy encounter versus Tranquillity at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

While they hold a superior goal-difference over Mayaro, Naparima will need to get the better of the Beach Boys at the Mayaro Recreation Ground if they are to continue their quest for their third straight South Zone trophy. Two teams still in the reckoning —  Princes Town and Vessigny meet at Princes Town; St Benedict’s will oppose Fyzabad at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella while Pleasantville will host Moruga. For ages, Signal Hill and Scarborough have been the dominant forces in the Tobago Zone, and they will meet in a virtual title decider at Shaw Park. Elizabeth’s, the laughing stock of the league this year, is on a bye while Roxborough will host another struggling outfit Bishop’s.

Runaway East Zone leaders, the “Green Machine” St Augustine, is virtually assured of full points away to Barataria while San Juan will welcome the “Blue Thunder” El Dorado to their Bourg Mulatresse venue. The “Dial Dynamos” Arima must defeat the “Diamond Cutters” Valencia in order to have any chance of claiming a three-peat in the East while St George’s will host Hillview. Presentation Chaguanas will be looking to halt Marabella’s four-game win streak when they square off at Presentation’s Ground; Carapichaima can stay in the hunt for the Central Zone crown with full points against Tabaquite at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva while, in the clash of the table-proppers, Chaguanas Senior will host Union Claxton Bay.