Tigers retain title in sudden death

AFTER 103 minutes of end-to-end action yesterday, the “Westmoorings Tigers” St Anthony’s retained their British Gas Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Big 5 League title with a 2-1 sudden-death victory over the “Dial Dynamos” Arima at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. Both teams produced their best peformances of the season but, in the end, captain Julius James, the season’s most experienced player, scored two headers, both from set pieces, to lead the the Tigers to the come-from-behind win in front of a vociferous crowd estimated at 10,000.

The Tigers provided the first goalscoring opportunity after 11 minutes, with playmaker Troy Thompson finding a lurking Abiola Sandy in the box but his shot was deflected overbar by Arima central defender and captain Jesse Martinez. But the visitors found the stride and, after constant pressure, particularly in midfield, opened the scoring in the 25th. In a quick move on the right flank, fullback Real Didier found winger Devon King whose square pass landed at the feet of striker Gorean “Mickey Rat” Highley. With time and space, Highley faked goalkeeper Kegan Davidson before slotting home past the prostrate keeper.

Despite their lead, the Dial Dynamos were unable to penetrate the Tigers defence, and were made to pay in the 58th minute, when James over-powered fellow defender Christopher James in the box and planted his header — from a Thompson corner — past goalie Ryan Ajim. Highley had two opportunities to gain the winner — in stoppage time, he saw his header, from a Keston Henry cross, tipped overbar by Davidson while, in the 91st, his attempted chip was slapped away by the keeper. Tensions were rising both on and off the field but James’ calm under pressure proved decisive in the end. After defender Didier received a yellow card from referee Noel Bynoe in the 103rd minute for an infringment against Clevon George, the midfielder picked up himself, sent a floating freekick into the box and there was James to bury his header past the flat-footed Ajim.

Teams -
St Anthony’s: Kegan Davidson; Yohance Marshall, Marcelle Francois (Dwight Critchlow 101st), Kareem Freitas, Kwesi Thomas (Shabazz Best 91st); Julius James (capt), Clevon George, Troy Thompson, Christian Cabral (Akil De Freitas 51st); Kevon Neaves, Abiola Sandy.

Arima: Ryan Ajim; Jesse Martinez (capt), Christopher James (Kendal Jagdeosingh 84th), Real Didier, Kevon George; Jemmiel Smith, Kitwana Abosi (Kevon Smith 71st), Jevon Crichlow (Keston Henry 56th), Devon King; Gorean Highley, Dorian Daniel.