St Benedict’s, Arima share points after goalless draw

Arima North Secondary failed to capitalise on the many chances that came their way in a lopsided affair with St Benedict’s College and eventually shared the points in a goalless tie in the opening round of the Secondary Schools Football League’s Premiership Division at the Arima Velodrome Wednesday afternoon.

Arima, the winner of seven matches and a sixth-place finish from 15 matches in the 2023 season, and coached by Wayne Shepperd, gave a fine display that warranted maximum points, but instead, it sent their coaches back to the drawing board with work needed in goalscoring.

St Benedict’s appearance on the pitch was evidence of the transition being made from last year and this year. It was not in stark contrast to their opponents, who endured a lengthy period of development that showed in their early dominance in possession.

The match was just 12 minutes old when Dimitre Jones pulled out wide to receive the ball from an earlier build-up before drilling it inside for a touch from Darren De Four, which never came.

Flanked by their home fans, the Dial Dynamos, as they are popularly called by their fans, grew from strength to strength and increased their efforts as the game progressed. Their short-passing buildup begged the visitors back for long periods, only that Benedict’s goalkeeper Nafatalie Charles was always well positioned. And in the 23rd minute, Charles was again on spot to hold off a long-range effort from Jaquan Aguillera from 25 meters out.

St Benedict’s College, the 2023 opening cup winners against Fatima College and the league runners-up after 13 wins from 15 matches, struggled to put together attacks for the most part, as their defensive structure was also tested. And in the 29th minute, a one-two between Ability Hazel and Jonathan Lee Fai on the right side of St Benedict’s goal area ended at the feet of Jones, who hit a tame shot that did not trouble Charles in the goal.

Five minutes later, De Four weaved his way past two players but fired his shot wide of the goal.

The second period of play brought no change for the Southerners, as their defensive structure quickly kicked into play at the start. However, St. Benedict’s, in one of their lone attempts at the game, could have won it when Kia Robertson was set free inside the Arima North penalty area. But from an acute angle, Robertson’s left-footed drive was easily fisted off by Jadon-Paul Alexander in the Arima goal in the 82nd minute.

Today the action resumes with two revised matches: St Augustine will be at home to Fatima College at 3.30 pm at Warren Street, St Augustine, while Trinity College East and Signal Hill will clash in Arouca (Trinity College Ground) at 3 pm.

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS

Pres- 6 (Caleb Boyce 4, Isaiah Jacob, Duhrell Young) vs Miracle Ministries- 0

Naps- 2 (Akiel Vesprey, Donovan Drayton) vs East Mucurapo- 0

San Juan North- 2 (Jadiel Joseph, Michel Baptiste) vs QRC- 1 (Stephen James)

Speyside- 2 (Daviel Thomas, Riquelme Phillips) vs Malick- 2 (Antonio Sealey 15th, 30th)

St Mary’s College- 0 vs St Anthony’s College- 6 (Jean-Marc Thomas 16th, 22nd, Jayden Bobb 39th, 45th, Rondell Harewood 49th, Terique Theobald 64th

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