NYFL 23: QPCC finish third at U-13 and U-17, while Cox and Premier also manage Playoff wins

QPCC snagged two third place finishes in the Republic Cup National Youth Football League (NYFL) playoffs yesterday to ensure that they managed top three finishes in all four categories of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association-sanctioned youth tournament.

In the Under-13 category, a second half winner by Mason Joel saw them turn the table on North Zone champs Cardinals Football Academy and snatch a 3-2 win at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella.

Both teams exchanged the lead in the first half with Reagan Rowe and Lucas Shaw on target for QPCC, while Deron Blackman and Jaylon Roberts got on the score sheet for the Cardinals. But Joel was the only scorer after the interval, to ensure that the Parkites finished with bragging rights in the playoff.

The QPCC took the Under-17 Playoff through forfeiture, as Point Fortin Youth Academy were unable to field a team due to CSEC exams. Point Fortin gracefully gave all parties due notice of their withdrawal.

The Under-15 Playoff was a cracking all-south affair and Cox Coaching School finished on top, via kicks from the penalty mark, after twice coming from behind to hold Union Hall United 2-2.

Donovan Drayton Jr and Akel Vesprey, both in the Trinidad and Tobago National Under-15 pool, scored for Cox CS while J Scott and Mickal Bullock got the goals for Union Hall.

There was no need for penalties in the Under-20 Playoff, as a hattrick by National Under-17 forward Malachi Webb paced Premier Sports Club to a 5-3 win over Malick Blue Lions.

QPCC are chasing honours in the Under-15 and Under-20 categories in tomorrow’s NYFL finals, while the Cox Coaching School U-13s and Premier Sports Club U-17s can still end the season with silverware.

Pro Series are in the mix for Under-15 and Under-17 titles tomorrow while Defence Force (Under-20) and FC Ginga (Under-13) will also have a presence at the business end of the competition.

(See below for Playoff results and Finals fixtures.)

Republic Cup NYFL Third Place Playoff

(Thursday 8 June)

Under-13 playoff

QPCC 3 (Reagan Rowe 9, Lucas Shaw 18, Mason Joel 38), Cardinals Football Academy 2 (Deron Blackman 2, Jaylon Roberts 22) at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella;

Under-15 playoff

Union Hall United FC 2 (J Scott 7, Mickal Bullock 37), Cox Coaching School 2 (Donovan Drayton Jr 22, Akel Vesprey 58) at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella;

*—Cox Coaching School won 5-4 via kicks from the penalty mark.

Under-17 playoff

QPCC vs Point Fortin Youth Academy at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella;

*—QPCC awarded win by default

Under-20 playoff

Premier Sports Club 5 (Zachary Seecharan 25, Malachi Webb 24, 68, 85, Nesean Duncan 49),  Malick Blue Lions 3 (Oba Samuel 19, 42, Ronaldinho Richards 51) at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.

Republic Cup NYFL Finals

(Saturday 10 June)

FC Ginga vs Cox Coaching School, Under-13 final, 9am, Republic Bank Sports Club;

QPCC vs Pro Series, Under-15 final, 11am, Republic Bank Sports Club;

Premier Sports Club vs Pro Series, Under-17 final, 1.30pm, Republic Bank Sports Club;

Defence Force vs QPCC, Under-20 final, 3.45pm, Republic Bank Sports Club.