‘Tigers’ edge plucky Diego Martin 5-3

“BIG 5” and North Zone champions St Anthony’s escaped with a 5-3 victory over Diego Martin Secondary, to advance to the next round of this year’s RBTT Inter Col football series.

This when the Secondary Schools Football League got underway at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo yesterday. The Westmoorings Tigers went into the half-time interval appearing to be cruising with a 4-0 lead. But the Diego lads put in a stirring second-half performance only to fall short. Troy Thompson and star striker Abiola Sandy got one goal each for the Inter Col title holders while Cleavon George got the other.  Adrian Tinto fired in a double and Daniel Samaroo got the other goal for “Diego.” Later, Fatima came from behind to eliminate Malick 2-1 to advance another round. Keron Foster gave Malick the lead when he got the final touch during a goalmouth scramble in the 29th minute. And the lead appeared to be holding up until the 69th minute when Kert  Gardiner blasted a free-kick into the nets to knot up the score 1-1.

Both teams sought the winner following this goal, but it was the Mucurapo Road boys who got it. Following a broken down attack by Malick in the 79th minute, Fatima launched a swift and decisive counter-attack. A through ball found the feet of Josimar Belgrave and he darted goalward and made no mistake to the delight of the Fatima fans. St Anthony’s will meet Fatima in the North Zone semi-finals on November 4. The action shifts to the Manny Ramjohn Stadium today, when Naparima meet Presentation, San Fernando in the opening match of a South Zone double-header from 3 pm. Pleasantville play Fyzabad in the other match from 5 pm. And in the East Zone, St Augustine take on San Juan from 3 pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima, in the opener of a double-header. Barataria meet Hillview in the other fixture from 5 pm.