Trinity East look to spoil Fatima's SSFL title run

TRINITY College East coach Wayne Davis said his team will be eyeing another upset win in the premiership division of the Secondary Schools Football League, as they tackle leaders Fatima College in round 13 at the latter's school ground in Mucurapo on Wednesday at 3.45 pm.

Trinity College East, despite being in 11th position, have found some late-season form upsetting fifth-placed St Anthony's College 4-2 on Saturday. It was Trinity's second win in a row as they got past last-placed Chaguanas North Secondary 4-0 in round 11.

Davis is satisfied his players have found their goal-scoring touch.

He said, "We have been performing fairly okay all season. I think what happened in the last few games...our players started putting the ball in the back of the net, which was a problem we were having at the beginning of the season."

The Trinity coach believes his players have the quality to defeat any team in the league and Fatima are no exception. "Our goals remain the same every game, which is try to win the game. We try to win every game we play, (it) doesn't matter the opponent. Once we do what we practice and what we plan, we believe we could beat any team."

Fatima have their eyes on the crown as they lead the table with 31 points, five points clear of second-placed St Benedict's College. Fatima can seal the title on Wednesday if they win and both St Benedict's and San Juan North Secondary drop points.

Fatima scored three second-half goals to get past struggling Bishop's High School 3-0 in round 12.

Fatima coach Hutson Charles expects a stiff test from Trinity. "I expect them to come out and give us a run because they will be boosted by the victory against St Anthony's, and they still want to further themselves. Although they are safe from relegation, I guess they want to get a higher place in the table."

Charles says three points on Wednesday will ensure they have one hand on the trophy.

"Our whole focus right now is getting three points tomorrow, and I think if we get three points tomorrow it is going to be a good chance for us to win the league."

Revenge may be on the minds of the Trinity players after losing on penalties to Fatima last year in the national Intercol semi-finals at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

St Benedict's College will try to stay alive in the title race against 14th-placed Pleasantville Secondary. Pleasantville, despite losing 8-5 to East Mucurapo in round 12, will be optimistic after showing resilience in the second half. Pleasantville were trailing 8-0, but scored five goals in the second half which proved to be one of the best efforts of the season for the squad.

Third-placed San Juan have been inconsistent over the last few rounds but will fancy their chances against 12th-placed St Mary's College at the former's school ground in Bourg Mulatresse.

SSFL Standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GD*Pts

Fatima*12*10*1*1*36*31

St Benedict's*12*8*2*2*24*26

San Juan North*12*8*2*2*17*26

Naparima*12*7*3*2*33*24

St Anthony's*12*7*1*4*13*22

Arima North*12*6*4*2*12*22

Presentation*12*6*4*2*9*22

East Mucurapo*12*5*2*5*-5*17

Speyside*12*4*3*5*-9*15

Malick*12*4*2*6*12*14

Trinity East*11*4*2*5*3*14

St Mary's*12*4*2*6*-11*14

QRC*12*4*1*7*0*13

Pleasantville*12*1*1*10*-49*4

Bishop's High*11*1*0*10*-29*3

Chaguanas North*12*1*0*11*-56*3

Fixtures:

Chaguanas North Secondary vs Speyside, Edinburgh 500 grounds

Fatima vs Trinity College East, Fatima

Malick vs East Mucurapo, St Mary's College ground

Arima North vs Bishop's High, Arima Velodrome

Pleasantville vs St Benedict's, Yolande Pompey Recreation Ground

Presentation, San Fernando vs St Anthony's, Manny Ramjohn Stadium

QRC vs Naparima, QRC grounds

San Juan North vs St Mary's, San Juan North