Pres Sando win 2017 SSFL Premiership

A member of Presentation San Fernando football team kisses the SSFL Premier Division trophy while some of his teammates share their joy after yesterday’s success.
A member of Presentation San Fernando football team kisses the SSFL Premier Division trophy while some of his teammates share their joy after yesterday’s success.

Presentation College San Fernando are the 2017 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Premier Division champions.

Yesterday, Presentation defeated Fatima College 2-1 at the latter’s school ground on the final match day to seal the league title. Presentation ended on 35 points, followed by Naparima College on 33 points and St Anthony’s College on 30 points.

Jordan Riley gave Presentation the lead through a 21st minute penalty, before Justin Araujo-Wilson equalised for Fatima in the 39th minute. Nathaniel Dyer proved to be the hero on the day as his 62nd minute strike handed Presentation the title. The team and their supporters who made the trip from south Trinidad celebrated, but also took the time to say a prayer at mid-pitch. Players, management staff and supporters kneeled around the centre circle to thank God for their 2017 achievement.

The 2017 season was marred by off-field issues which included Fyzabad Secondary being thrown out of the league for fielding two ineligible players. The pair did not have the required CSEC passes to be in Sixth Form.

Also, on Friday, Shiva Boys Hindu College were deducted points after two players did not seek clearance from the SSFL to play in other leagues after August 31. Two Shiva Boys players competed in other leagues on September 2. Presentation coach Shawn Cooper said his team did not pay attention to the off-field issues and simply tried to end the season on a high.

“We had four games to win and once we won those four games where the chips fall it fall. I was not too perturbed about what was happening in the board room because I believe games are to be won on the field...we played to our game plan, we came here and we fought hard. The season started on a rough note and it finished on a rough note because we had to work for this victory here (yesterday),” Cooper said.

Cooper credited the team’s form on the road, saying it was key to the school bringing home the crown. “If you look at our record, we have been doing great away from home. We have only dropped two points away from home for the whole season that was a draw against St Anthony’s. We won all the games barring that away from home so champion teams win away from home, and we did so.”

At St Mary’s Ground the home team spoiled St Anthony’s chances of winning the title with a 2-1 victory. Terran Winner (50th) and Devon Charles (63rd) scored for St Mary’s, while Krishon Alexander scored in the 57th minute for St Anthony’s.

Naparima ended the season with a bang as the southerners romped to a 8-2 win over Trinity College at Mahaica Oval in Point Fortin. Scoring for Naparima were Rondell Payne (fourth), Ronaldo McIntosh (sixth), Kodel Frontin (20th), Declan Marcelle (37th, 60th), Mark Ramdeen (40th, 50th) and Judah St Louis (68th). Saleem Henry (75th) and Jevon Ward (88th) scored two consolation goals for Trinity late in the match.

In the other match played yesterday St Benedict’s College edged Shiva Boys 3-2. Ruel Tyson led the way for St Benedict’s with goals in the eighth and 63rd minutes, while Jaycee Paras netted in the 75th. Scoring for Shiva Boys were Ronaldo Edwards and Tyrell Emmanuel in the 13th and 65th minutes respectively. The teams will switch focus to the Coca Cola SSFL Intercol competition which takes place from tomorrow until December 4.

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"Pres Sando win 2017 SSFL Premiership"

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