The return leg of the Sports Development Foundation (SDF)/St Thomas Under-17 Football Competition kicks off today with matches in both zones.

In Zone A, York United, who are seeking their first win in the competition, travel to Paul Bogle High to face host Elite SDC, while in Zone B, the high-riding Port Morant All Stars will seek to maintain their dominance over Seaforth FC at Cotton Tree. Both games are scheduled to start at 3:30 pm.

Meanwhile, after four rounds of matches, the unbeaten Danvers Pen Football Club with 10 points and Port Morant All Stars with nine lead the tables in Zone A and B, respectively.

Baptist Alliance on nine points, Yallahs All Star on six points, Elite SDC on three points, and cellar-dweller York United on one point complete the table in Zone A. The Tier 2 representative Baptist Alliance has not looked back since their 4-2 defeat to leader Danvers Pen, conceding only one goal in the process while scoring 12.

In Zone B the unbeaten Golden Grove United, with eight points, is second in the group and the only team to have defeated leaders Port Morant All Star by 3-0. White Horses FC on five points, Seaforth FC on three points, and Bath Sports on one point completed the table in the zone.

The competition has sparked much interest since the opening games and launch six weeks ago, with much spectator support at games.

This was the case at Yallahs High School when Baptist Alliance dismissed Yallahs United 4-1 in the derby with three goals from Dashawn Cole in the 1st, 40th, 53rd, and Jahmarley Summers 31st minute. Akelo Grace scored for Yallahs in the 21st minute.

The biggest margin of victory so far is the White Horses 6-0 drubbing of Seaforth Sports Club, courtesy of three goals from Theodore Wilson in the 26th, 59th, and 68th minutes, Anthonio Gouldbourne in the 55th, Casper Brown in the 77th, and an own goal from Steve Brown in the 79th minute.

Baptist Alliance was also ruthless against defending champion York United in the curtain-raiser at the York Oval on Sunday, March 26, 2023, defeating the home team 6-0 with goals from Mourice Stewart in the 3rd minute, Tavarez Dixon in the 34th and 85th minutes, and Kedoy Williams in the 36th, 43rd, and 74th minutes.

In the featured game of the day, a brace from Horace Hines in the 65th and 75th minutes secured Seaforth Sports Club’s first win of the competition with a 2-1 victory over Bath Sports Club. Joseph Samuda got the lone goal for the visitors in the 82nd minute.

The most exciting encounter to date is the 4-2 demise of the Yallahs All Stars by the consistent Danvers Pens in front of the biggest crowd reported to date in the usually quiet community of Danvers Pen.

Despite a brace from Kevin Bygrave for the visitors, Yallahs All Star, in the 56th and 61st minutes, host Danvers Pen, extended their unbeaten run with a classy 4-2 win. Andrae Hamilton, in the first minute; Nickoy Grant, in the 15th; Demoy Ballin, in the 67th; and Terrick Griffiths, in the 70th minute, all scored for the home team.

In the biggest upset of the competition so far, Port Morant All Star suffered their first defeat, going down 3-0 to Golden Grove United. Goals from TJ Edwards in the 26th minute, Rahiem Barnes in the 28th, and Tyrone Johnson in the 33rd minute secured the win for the host team.

Defending champions York United suffered a 1-4 defeat to the Yallahs All Stars. Zinodane McFarlane came in second, followed by Kenaldo James in 20th and 36th.Shaime Whyte scored in the 90+2 minute for Yallahs, while Raheen Cummings scored for York in the 67th minute.