Naparima capture South Zone crown

RENATO RAMLOCHAN was the hero for Naparima, scoring in the dying stages to give Naps a 1-0 win over St Benedict’s at Skinner Park, San Fernando in the second of back-to-back matches yesterday.

And victory saw Naps lifting the South Zonal crown of the British Gas Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) with two rounds of matches to spare. Pleasantville pipped Vessigny 1-0 in the first match of the doubleheader while dethroned champs Princes Town took care of cellar-placed Presentation 3-1 at Princes Town. And Fyzabad battled to a 1-1 draw at home to Mayaro. The “Westmoorings Tigers” remained on course to register a hat-trick of North Zone titles with a 6-0 thrashing of St Mary’s at the CIC Ground, St Clair. Winger Christian Cabral got the ball rolling with a double, in the third and 15th minutes, while striker Abiola Sandy added two more, a right-footed blast in the 24th from a Kevon Neaves square pass and in the 45th from a Kwesi Thomas feed, to give the Tigers a 4-0 halftime cushion. Sandy completed his hat-trick five minutes into the second half, tapping home after CIC defender Marcus Cabralis failed to clear a Cabral shot while Clevon George, in the 81st, sent his left-footer past Saints goalkeeper Graeme Jones to seal full points for the visitors. The Tigers are now three points clear atop the standings after nearest challengers QRC lost 2-1 to a determined Fatima at the Fatima Grounds.

National Under-17 striker Simba Aberdeen put the Royalians in front after 10 minutes but Fatima, who saw midfielder Stephan Williams sent off in the second half, rallied with a double from Kern Gardiner, in the 24th and 86th minutes. Derek Craig, Jeremy Rose, Keeven Nars and Lance Haynes were on target for Morvant/Laventille as they whipped Diego Martin 4-2 at Diamond Vale, their first win since September 8. But Mucurapo saw their title aspirations dashed when they were held to a goalless draw against Malick at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. Arima continued their heavy scoring in the East Zone, disposing of Hillview 7-0 at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, Arima. Hillview got an early setback through a 21st minute own goal, with Gorean Highley getting on the scoresheet in the 27th.

Derek King got a double for the “Dial Dynamos,” in the 37th and 73rd, while defender Christopher James added another in the 45th. And a pair from Michael Hospedales, in the 82nd and 90th, ensured that Arima maintained their unbeaten run. Kempess Villafana slammed a double as St George’s defeated “the Blue Thunder” El Dorado at the El Dorado Grounds, with Cordell Samuels netted a late penalty for the hosts, while Ayinde George got the equaliser for San Juan as they held Barataria to a 1-1 draw at Bourg Mulatresse. As expected, Carapichaima and Presentation were victorious in the Central Zone, with Carapichaima defeating Union Claxton Bay 2-0 at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva courtesy an own goal and a late strike from David Noel while Kevon Lalloo got the decider as Pres edged Chaguanas 1-0 at the Chaguanas Grounds. Action in all five zones continue on Saturday.