Saints edge Malick, Tigers maul Morvant

ST MARY’S won for the first time this season, defending Central Zone champs Presentation were beaten in their opening match while Arima, Scarborough and Pleasantville remain atop their divisions as a full slate of matches in the British Gas Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) yesterday. Dale Perez was the hero for St Mary’s, scoring in the 59th minute as the Saints edged Malick 1-0 at the CIC Grounds, St Clair while QRC strolled past Mucurapo 3-1 at the QRC Grounds. But Fatima remained atop the North Zone with a 4-2 whipping of Diego Martin at the Fatima Grounds. In an evening marred by dubious decisions, reigning champs St Anthony’s supporters of found solace in their team’s performance as they strolled to a comfortable 5-1 win over league debutants Morvant/Laventille at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

Initially feeling out each other, the “Westmoorings Tigers” began to pick up their rhythm and after near misses, including a shot which struck the uprights, took the lead in the 35th minute. Hardworking midfielder Kevon Neaves collected a pass from Christian Cabral on the edge of the area and rippling the net with the goalkeeper Neil Fortune at his mercy. Four minutes from half-time Neaves got his second, shaking off his defender and leaving the keeper stranded with a low shot. Striker Dwight Critchlow added to his team’s tally in the 67th minute, slotting the ball past an advancing Fortune in goal, but Morvant/Laventille pulled back one five minutes later as Rennie Castillo put a well hit free kick over the St Anthony’s wall and into the back of the net. Despite their improved mood, a 79th minute goal from substitute Shabazz Best, who replaced the distracted Cabral, and a cheeky finish by veteran defender Julius James in the 84th sealed the affair for the Tigers.

Pleasantville are the only unbeaten team left in the South Zone, and also kept their lead intact after a 3-1 win over cellar-placed Presentation in the second match of a double-header at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella. Derron Matthews slammed a double with Denwin Noel adding the other for Pleasantville while Christopher Alves got the lone item for “Pres.” St Benedict’s were held to a 1-1 draw by Fyzabad in the opener while defending champs Princes Town were humbled 1-0 at home to Vessigny with Timmy Hernandez hitting the winner in the 56th. Naparima are third on the table following a 1-0 win over Mayaro at the Mayaro Recreation Ground with veteran midfielder Brenton De Leon the goal-getter. Scarborough registered their second straight win with a narrow 2-1 triumph over Roxborough in the second of back-to-back matches at Shaw Park. Keon Morris, in the 65th, and Garfield Boxhill in the 80th struck for the 2002 Zonal princes while a penalty from Devion Gray four minutes from time was too little too late for Roxborough.

Elizabeth’s defeated Bishop’s 4-2 in the day’s earlier matchup. Devon King netted a second-half winner for the “Dial Dynamos” Arima as they edged a tough St Augustine 2-1 at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, Arima. King had earlier given the hosts the lead before Shane Calderon equalised minutes before the halftime interval. The “Blue Thunder” El Dorado and St George’s also stayed joint top with Arima in the East after both recorded 2-1 victories over San Juan and Hillview respectively. A second half striker from Dern Dyer gave Tabaquite a 1-0 win over Union Claxton Bay in Central Zone action while Trivine Sobers got his name on the scoresheet as Carapichaima edged Presentation 1-0 at the Presentation Grounds.