In a thrilling finale at the Larry Gomes Stadium on November 26, St Augustine Secondary ended a ten-year drought by clinching the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) boys’ East Zone intercol title with a dramatic 2-1 victory over San Juan North Secondary. The match, which seemed destined for a penalty shootout, took a decisive turn in the dying moments of stoppage time. San Juan defender Mathyyas Charles’ costly error near the penalty area allowed St Augustine’s star midfielder Giovanni Hospedales to capitalize. Hospedales, who had already scored earlier, skillfully maneuvered along the byline and netted the winning goal with a precise right-footed shot that ricocheted off the post and goalkeeper Elijah Lawrence before crossing the line. The victory sparked wild celebrations among the St Augustine players and coaching staff. Earlier in the match, San Juan had taken the lead through Jaheem Danclar in the 31st minute, but Hospedales equalized in the 47th minute. Despite being reduced to ten men after Michael Charles’ red card in the 73rd minute, St Augustine held firm, with goalkeeper Tyrese Henry making a crucial save moments after the winning goal. The triumph marked St Augustine’s first East Zone title since 2015, when veteran coach Michael Grayson led them to glory. Grayson, now an assistant coach, and head coach Tacuma Jones celebrated the hard-fought victory in a challenging season for the team. In the girls’ final, Five Rivers secured a 1-0 win over San Juan, with Hackeemar Goodridge’s 18th-minute strike proving decisive.
‘Green Machine’ snatch East Zone Intercol title, Five Rivers cop girls’ crown
