National Big 5 defending champions Signal Hill Secondary School and National Intercol reigning champions Scarborough Secondary School played to an exciting 1-1 draw in the opening match of the 2023 Secondary Schools Football League, Tobago Zone.
The President of the Secondary Schools Football League, Merere Gonzales, the 2nd Vice President of the SSFL, Syandene Blackman, and Chairman of the Tobago Zone, Kerry Lynch, were all present to greet the teams and witness the double-header matchup.
After a goalless first half, the game’s opening goal was an absolute beauty courtesy of National under-20 player Talia Martin. Entrusted with a free-kick from 20 yards out, Martin stepped up and struck a right-footer beyond the outstretched Signal Hill custodian. It was a goal truly worth celebrating. However, just five minutes later, the Girls from the Hill came roaring back and equalized. From a corner, an unmarked Leia-Marie Balfour timed her jump perfectly and headed the ball past the Scarborough Secondary goalie, making it 1-1. Scarborough Secondary School had the opportunity to secure all three points after being awarded a penalty for this infringement. However, Martin’s penalty was initially blocked by the goalkeeper and then denied by the upright. In the end, both teams had to settle for a draw.
Meanwhile, in the later game, Speyside High School defeated Bishop’s High School 3-1 in the boys’ championship division. Speyside only had themselves to blame for not securing a more substantial victory, as they squandered numerous goal-scoring opportunities. It took a 40th-minute penalty by Nkosi Quashie to break the deadlock. Fast forward to the 55th minute, and the boys from the far east secured their second goal, courtesy of Shyon George. The crowd was brought to its feet in the 65th minute when Damario Henry caught the Speyside goalie off his line and pulled a goal back with a stunning strike. However, Speyside would not be denied, as they restored their two-goal cushion with another penalty from George late in the game.
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