In a dramatic reversal of fortunes, St Anthony’s College claimed the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Coca-Cola boys’ north zone intercol championship with a breathtaking 4-2 victory over defending champions Fatima College. The electrifying final, staged at Hasely Crawford Stadium on December 3, saw both teams reduced to ten men in a match that delivered non-stop excitement from opening whistle to final moment.
The contest took an immediate shocking turn when Fatima’s star attacker Phillip Nelson received a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident merely two minutes into play. This early dismissal visibly rattled the defending champions, who found themselves trailing 2-0 by the 27th minute. Kanye Glasgow, later named Man of the Match, opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a clever near-post finish after deftly maneuvering past a defender. Kymani Thomas doubled the advantage when goalkeeper Jadon Pollard failed to properly clear Jaeden Bobb’s attempt, allowing Thomas to capitalize from close range.
Fatima emerged from halftime transformed, staging a remarkable comeback that leveled the score at 2-2 within just four minutes of the second half. Dynamic midfielder Seth Hadeed became the catalyst for the resurgence, scoring his first goal 22 seconds after restart following a fortunate deflection from Necose Moore’s save. Hadeed completed his brace from the penalty spot three minutes later after Malique Marshall’s reckless challenge on substitute Jeremai Nanton earned both a penalty and a straight red card for the St Anthony’s defender.
The Tigers responded to this adversity with renewed determination, reclaiming the lead in the 66th minute through a beautifully crafted team goal. Adriel Faure initiated the play with a penetrating run down the left flank before delivering a precise switch to captain Mordecai Ford on the opposite side. Rather than shooting, Ford drilled a low cross across the penalty area for Faure to sweep home at the far post.
Despite several opportunities from Nanton and Hadeed to equalize again—including a spectacular long-range effort that Moore tipped wide in the 74th minute—Fatima couldn’t find another breakthrough. Glasgow sealed the victory in the 87th minute with a exquisite curling finish from the edge of the area after being set up by Ford, completing his brace and cementing the Tigers’ championship claim.
St Anthony’s now advances to the national intercol semifinals where they will face Tobago champions Signal Hill Secondary, who themselves staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Speyside High School 4-3 in their zonal final despite playing most of their match with ten men.