Top SSFL teams on the brink

ST AUGUSTINE, the “Green Machine”, and San Juan will square off at the St Augustine Ground today in a virtual East Zone title-decider in the British Gas Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL). Both teams have a game on hand but the unbeaten Green Machine, who hold a six-point cushion atop the Zone, can cop the title with victory against the lads from Bourg Mulatresse. Third-placed Hillview are virtually assured of full points against the ‘‘Diamond Cutters’’ Valencia at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Tunapuna; dethroned champs Arima will face St George’s in Barataria while the ‘‘Blue Thunder’’ El Dorado hosts Barataria. Naparima can retain their South Zone crown today if they can get the better of hosts Pleasantville and  if Princes Town is beaten by Moruga.

The race for the crown is a two-horse race, and Princes Town can put pressure on Naps, and even claim the lead, depending on the results today. In other South fixtures, Fyzabad will host Mayaro and Vessigny will oppose St Benedict’s at the Mahaica Oval. Like the South Zone, the North Zone title can be determined today, as leaders Mucurapo are expected to get the better of Tranquillity in the second match carded for the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. Mucurapo, who hold a four-point advantage over ‘‘the Tigers’’ St Anthony’s, can walk away with the trophy if the Tigers are defeated by third-placed Fatima at the Fatima Ground.

Malick will battle Morvant/ Laventille in the first match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium at three o’clock while traditional rivals QRC and St Mary’s meet at the QRC Ground, St Clair. With the Central Zone title already decided, the long-standing champs, Presentation will oppose Tabaquite at the Tabaquite Ground; second-placed Carapichaima will travel to Chaguanas Senior while Marabella will meet the point-less Union Claxton Bay at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva. All matches will kick off from 3.45 pm with the exception of the double-headers at the Hasely Crawford Stadium and at Shaw Park, Tobago, with Bishop’s meeting the season’s whipping boys Elizabeth’s College at 2 pm followed by the clash between Scarborough and Roxborough, with Scarborough needing a win to dethrone Signal Hill as the Zonal winners.