Arima North Secondary moved within one point of promotion to the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Premier Division yesterday with a 3-0 win over Bishop’s High School in National Big 5 action at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, Tobago.
The “Dial Dynamos” enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the Sister Isle and struck twice in the first half to pave the way for a straightforward result.
(Copyright Daniel Prentice/ Arima Araucans Academy)
Captain Jaden Durity put the visitors ahead with a strike from distance in the 33rd minute and then created one for attacker Devin Seales, who has scored in each of his past three matches. Forward Darion Marfan then sealed the win with a second half free kick.
Bishop’s threatened occasionally from set pieces but could not beat Isaiah Diaz in the Arima goal.
The result saw Arima North leapfrog Bishop’s High to second place in the Big 5 standings, with the top three names due for automatic promotion.
St Mary’s College have already confirmed their place in the 2023 Premier Division with a maximum nine points from their three Big 5 matches and a goal difference of +8.
Arima North have six points from two games with a goal difference of +7, followed by Bishop’s with six points and a goal difference of -1 from four games.
(via Bishop’s High School)
Bishop’s must now wait on Thursday’s clash between Siparia West Secondary and Arima North to learn their fate.
Siparia whipped Miracle Ministries 5-2 yesterday, thanks to a Donavon Drayton hattrick and two goals by forward Akel Vesprey—both are Trinidad and Tobago Boys’ National Under-15 players.
The win gave Siparia West a lifeline, as they now have three points from as many games with a goal difference of -1. The South Zone Championship winners need three points against Arima in Siparia on Wednesday to slip ahead of Bishop’s on goal difference.
However, a draw or Arima win on Thursday would confirm a top-flight return for Bishop’s and the Dial Dynamos.
Arima North, led by returned technical director Wayne Sheppard, need to defeat Siparia West to retain any chance of topping St Mary’s in the Big 5 standings.
(Copyright Daniel Prentice/ Wired868)
Arima and St Mary’s College square off on Sunday from 3.30pm in a rescheduled match at the former team’s school ground on the Arima Old Road.
Big 5 results
(Sun 4 Dec)
Miracle Ministries 2 (Jaden French 44, Daniel Hope 77), Siparia West Secondary 5 (Donavon Drayton 11, 52, 84, Akel Vesprey 39, 90+3) at Ato Boldon Stadium;
Bishop’s High 0, Arima North Secondary 3 (Jadon Durity 33, Devin Seales 45, Darion Marfan 67) at Dwight Yorke Stadium.
(Copyright Daniel Prentice/ Arima Araucans Academy)
Upcoming fixtures
(Thu 8 Dec)
Siparia West Secondary vs Arima North Secondary, 3pm, Siparia Sporting Complex;
(Sun 11 Dec)
Arima North Secondary vs St Mary’s College, 3.30pm, Arima Old Road.
CIC won 4-1.
(Copyright Daniel Prentice/ Wired868)
Big 5 Standings (Tabulated as Played-Won-Drawn-Lost-Goals For-Goals Against-Points)
St Mary’s College 3-3-0-0-12-4-9
Arima North 2-2-0-0-7-0-6
Bishop’s High 4-2-0-2-6-7-6
Siparia West 3-1-0-2-9-10-3
Miracle Ministries 4-0-0-4-3–17-0