Early leaders in the Secondary School Football League (SSFL) Premier Division, Speyside Secondary School will aim to maintain their unbeaten stroll and stay at the top of the 17-team standings when they clash with Arima North Secondary School at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar, Arima Wednesday (september 23). Kick off is at 3.40 pm
Both teams are unbeaten so far, but the Tobagonians have played a game more. Following a 2-0 triumph over arch rivals in the sister-isle Signal Hill, Speyside held Queen’s Royal College (QRC) to a goalless tie at Serpentine Road, and then delivered a 3-0 beating of the Tigers of St Anthony’s at home.
With seven points, they enjoy a one-point advantage over the Dial Dynamos at the top of the table with seven points having played a match more. However, victory this afternoon, for coach Alex Simon’s charges will not only test their mettle against a solid starter to the season, but will also help them maintain their summit position.
Meanwhile, the Arimians still have a point to prove. Their early 3-0 clobbering of Presentation College, San Fernando, in their season opener, away from home, brought back memories of the school’s dominance in the early 1990s under magical midfielder Kervin Emmanuel, striker Mickey Trotman and others. However, today, striker Michael John, Jediah David, Dimitre Jones, and Jaeden Samuel and company are threatening to roll back the glory days.
David scored in his team’s 3-0 triumph in the Southland and led the team to a 4-3 victory over newcomers Hillview College at Moonlighting Ground in El Dorado. But after two wins, they will face a test that will determine the League’s leadership position.
Also, champs Naparima College is also unbeaten, but will have the challenge of their lives to remain that way against Signal Hill in the sister isle.
Coach Angus Eve’s team is still trying to gel after losing more than 80 percent of their team from 2025. They enjoyed a morale-boosting 6-0 demolition of St Benedict’s College for the opening Super Cup at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Balmain, Couva. And a week later, they fired five goals past Trinity College Moka in their first League match in defence of their League title.
Eve said teams always produce their best game whenever they are playing against them, as champions. His men are also trying to put the pieces together for a successful defence of the South Zone and National InterCol titles. And should they win today, it would move them one step closer to the team that instilled fear in others last year.
All matches begin at 3.40 pm Wednesday afternoon.
Wednesday’s (September 23) Matches
Fatima College vs Hillview College, Fatima College Grd, Mucurapo Road
Malick Sec vs St Benedict’s College, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Training Field, Mucurapo
Queen’s Royal College vs Mucurapo West Sec, QRC Grd, St Clair
Arima North Sec vs Speyside High, Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar
Signal Hill Sec vs Naparima College, Signal Hill Grd, Signal Hill
St Mary’s College vs St Anthony’s College, St Mary’s Grd, St Clair
San Juan North Sec vs Trinity College, San Juan North Sec Grd, San Juan
Trinity College East vs Presentation (San F’do), Trinity East Grd, Trincity
St Augustine Secondary - bye
Latest SSFL Standing
Teams*P*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*PTS
1. Speyside Secondary*3*2*1*0*5*1*4*7
2. Arima North Sec*2*2*0*0*7*3*4*6
3. St. Mary’s College*2*2*0*0*4*0*4*6
4. Fatima College*2*1*1*0*6*3*3*4
5. Naparima*1*1*0*0*7*0*7*3
6. St Benedict’s College*2*1*0*1*5*1*4*3
7. Hillview*2*1*0*1*8*6*3*3
8. Signal Hill Secondary*2*1*0*1*4*2*2*3
9. Malick Secondary*2*1*0*1*7*6*1*3
10. San Juan North*2*1*0*1*2*2*0*3
11. Trinity College East*2*1*0*1*4*7*-3*3
12. Queen’s Royal College*2*0*1*1*0*1*-1*1
13. Presentation College*2*0*1*1*2*5*-3*1
14. St. Augustine Secondary*2*0*1*1*2*5*-3*1
15. Mucurapo West Sec*2*0*1*1*2*5*-3*1
16. St Anthony’s*2*0*0*2*2*8*-7*0
17. Trinity College*2*0*0*2*0*12*-12*0
