St Benedict’s into National Intercol final with 4-3 win on penalties against Signal Hill

ST Benedict’s College remain on course for a potential 2024 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) triple crown after they got past Signal Hill Secondary 4-3 on penalties, following a 1-1 draw after regulation time, in semi-final two of the Coca-Cola National Intercol at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, on November 29.

An early first-half goal from league top scorer and striker Derrell “Zum Zum” Garcia kept the La Romaine Lions in front up until the 96th minute, when Signal Hill’s Immanual Wright successfully converted a last-gasp penalty to force the game to be decided from the penalty spot.

St Benedict’s goalkeeper Thane Devenish came up big in goal from the spot kicks as he brilliantly saved the Tobagonian team’s fourth and fifth kicks to seal a nail-biting victory for the reigning SSFL premiership and Coca-Cola south zone Intercol champions.

Benedict’s will climax the Intercol campaign in search of their third title against last year’s league winners Fatima College at the Couva venue on December 5.

The result also saw Benedict’s maintain their flawless run of form for the entire season, and if they can win the final, the south team would end this year’s campaign as the only unbeaten school.

Just three minutes after kickoff, Garcia made an early statement after latching on to a neat through ball from Ethan Trotman, which he rifled past Signal Hill goalkeeper Rondell Marcelle to take the lead.

St Benedict’s totally dominated the opening 45 minutes with their frontline of Garcia, Cam’ron Burke and Trotman running riot in the final third.

A weak back pass by Signal Hill defender Khaleem Trim saw Garcia pounce on the loose ball, but he was smartly closed down by a charging Marcelle.

Signal Hill’s Israel Trim had his right-footed shot from distance fly high and wide and was arguably the Tobagonians’ best chance of the opening half.

Damario Henry’s shot from outside the box in the 40th minute also failed to test Benedict’s goalie Devenish.

And just before the break, Garcia was on the receiving end of an air-ball from left-winger Burke, and played an opportunistic lob over Marcelle, while fighting off two defenders, which ricocheted off the crossbar and out.

It remained 1-0 at the half.

At the resumption, Signal Hill showed a bit more fight in search of the equaliser. Benedict’s also continued to press forward, but surprisingly lacked the final touch in front of goal in the second period.

A free kick near the left corner by Mario Perreira in the 50th minute almost gave Signal Hill the equaliser, but the ball was parried on to the crossbar by an agile Devenish.

Benedict’s Lyshaun Morris also tried to send Benedict’s further ahead, but his attempt skimmed past the front of goal with no one to tap it in.

Signal Hill’s Kyle James and Antonio Hopkins tried valiantly to break the deadlock and had showed some threat in front the Bendict’s goal, but could never really get a proper shot off.

As the Tobagonians continued to apply pressure late on, they got lucky when Benedict’s defender Isaiah David got a hand to the ball in the penalty area, six minutes into time added on.

Wright made no mistake from the spot and sent his left-footed shot into the top left corner to silence the Benedict’s supporters in the dying moments.

With Signal Hill shooting first from the penalty spot, both teams scored their first three kicks each. Signal Hill’s third kick had a bit of controversy. Mekeil Williams’ effort was initially saved by Devenish, but referee Crystal Sobers said the St Benedict’s goalie came off his line. Williams then buried his second attempt.

When Signal Hill’s J’Meke Watkins stepped up for the fourth, his low, left-sided shot was saved by Devenish.

Up stepped the in-form Garcia, who slotted his left-footed shot past Marcelle to see Benedict’s go 4-3 up after four kicks.

Devenish showed class facing the next shot and dived to his far right to deny James and salvage a nail-biting 4-3 win, and a spot in the December 5 final.

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