Presentation retain Central Zone crown

SECOND HALF goals from Keon Paul and Anthony O’Garro gave Presentation Chaguanas a 2-0 triumph yesterday over Carapichaima in the Central Zone of the British Gas Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL).

The victory at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Balmain, Couva ensured that the “Pres” lads would retain their zone crown for the second consecutive year. In another Central Zone fixture, Tabaquite, who were guaranteed third spot, edged Union Claxton Bay 2-1 at the Tabaquite Grounds. Kenol Singh and Levi Subero were on target for the hosts while Roderick Christopher got the lone strike for Claxton Bay, who finished fourth ahead of the winless Chaguanas. Another team with an excellent chance of claiming back-to-back titles is the “Westmoorings Tigers” St Anthony’s, who still lead QRC by goal difference in the North Zone. Both teams have 28 points with the Royalians completing their Zonal campaign while St Anthony’s have two outstanding matches —- versus Diego Martin tomorrow and Malick on Saturday. The Tigers were held to a 2-2 draw by a combative Mucurapo squad at the Fatima Grounds yesterday, with an early Kevon Neaves goal, in the seventh minute, cancelled out by Sherwon Jack ten minutes later. Abiola Sandy restored the Tigers lead in the 48th, slamming past Mucurapo’s goalkeeper Anthony Alleyne from a Clevon George pass, but Jelani Herbert got the equaliser in the 67th, converting a penalty after St Anthony’s defender Kareem Freitas handled a goal-bound shot from Richard Roy.

The Royalians battled to an exciting 4-4 draw versus Diego Martin, Malick got goals from Kerry Victor and Rolston Paul as they defeated Morvant /Laventille 2-1 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo while Fatima were held to a 2-2 draw against hosts St Mary’s. Two-time East Zone champs, the “Dial Dynamos” of Arima, ended their zonal run with an unbeaten record after trouncing St George’s 7-0 at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, Arima. Gorean “Mickey Rat” Highley led the way with a hat-trick, in the 34th, 85th and 88th, while defender Christopher James opened the scoring in the 15th. Also adding their names unto the scoresheet were striker Dorian Daniel (25th), Devon King (61st) and goalkeeper Ryan Ajim, with an 81st minute penalty. Another team with a 7-0 triumph were the “Green Machine” St Augustine over Barataria at the St Augustine Grounds, with a beaver-trick from Shane Calderon and one apiece from Odelle Charles, Shastri Spencer and Kevin McAuley, fifth-placed El Dorado got second-half items from Ricardo Harry and Andre Leigertwood as they beat Hillview 2-0 at El Dorado while San Juan held cellar-placed Toco to a 2-2 draw at Bourg Mulatresse. South Zone champions Naparima were held to a goalless draw by Vessigny in the second match of a double-header at Skinner Park, San Fernando while third-placed Pleasantville edged Fyzabad 1-0 in the earlier fixture. Runners-up Princes Town whipped St Benedict’s 4-2 at Princes Town while Mayaro slammed Presentation by a similar scoreline at the Mayaro Recreation Grounds.