LAST year's national intercol champions Fatima College (25 points) have moved to the summit of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division with five matches to go, after getting a 2-0 win versus Arima North Secondary at Fatima Grounds in Mucurapo on Saturday.
Fatima have a +32 goal difference and have now edged ahead of San Juan North Secondary (25 points) on goal differential following the latter school's goalless draw with Naparima College in Bourg Mulatresse. San Juan have a +18 goal differential.
Fresh from their thumping 7-1 win over Queen's Royal College (QRC) in Mucurapo on Wednesday, Fatima continued their impressive home form as the pair of Aidan DeGannes and Michael Chaves found the back of the net to sink the "Dial Dynamos." DeGannes scored a hat-trick against QRC during the week, and his goal on Saturday took him to ten goals for the season — the league's leading tally.
In Bourg Mulatresse, San Juan, the hosts relinquished their lead on the 16-team table after playing to an entertaining draw with the four-time premier division winners Naparima. Naparima (22 points) remained in third spot after Saturday's game.
Both Naparima and San Juan had great opportunities to find the back of the net in their tussle, but neither could find the golden touch to break the deadlock.
San Juan talisman and TT youth player Lindell Sween had a tough outing, as the Naparima players stuck to him like glue during the encounter — limiting the talented left-footer to several shots from long range.
The visiting Naparima team did create better opportunities throughout the clash, but their goalkeeper Tyrece Romain was called to make the sharpest save of the game in the 58th minute after an inadvertent goalward header by his own defender, Tyrel Alexander.
[caption id="attachment_1040186" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Fatima College Michael Chaves, centre, takes on Arima North Secondary Criston Thomas, left and Hazel Ability during the SSFL Premiership match at Fatima College ground Saturday in Port of Spain. Fatima won 2-0. - DANIEL PRENTICE[/caption]
In the 84th minute, Naparima's lively attacker Tevin Pantor had a glorious chance to grab three points for the guests, but he sprayed his left-footed shot wide of Xavion Haynes' goal after cutting in sharply from the right.
In stoppage time, Naparima fashioned two more presentable chances, but they were spurned by second-half substitutes Arron Raymond and Xarion France.
In Edinburgh, Chaguanas, defending champions St Benedict's College (20 points) consolidated fourth spot on the table as they thumped the cellar-placed Chaguanas North Secondary by a 6-0 margin. TT youth striker Malachi Webb continued his scoring form from Wednesday's win over south rivals Presentation College San Fernando as he registered a hat-trick in Edinburgh. Benedict's lanky striker Jaden Grant also netted a double to hand the relegation-threatened Chaguanas their ninth loss in ten matches.
At the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella, Presentation (20 points) maintained f
