Caymans beat Antigua

by AntiguaSun

Host Antigua and Barbuda made a losing start to their Caribbean Football Union’s Under-17 World Cup women’s qualifying series at the Antigua Recreation Grounds (ARG) yesterday when they were beaten 3-0 by the Cayman Islands in the second game of the four-team group’s opening matches.

Somali Hall, Shenice Monteith and Ashani Francis all capitalised on defensive blunders by the Antiguans to score a goal each to lead the Cayman Islands to their victory. Hall gave the Cayman Islands a 1-0 half-time advantage when she placed a firm header from a corner past rookie Antiguan goalkeeper Nicole Hunte in the 42nd minute. Poor marking by the Antiguans allowed Hall to take the free-header from the top of the six-yard box.

Antigua and Barbuda, playing without first-choice goalkeeper Anique Jarvis, were found wanting twice in the second half as Hunte conceded two goals that should have been routine saves for any custodian. Her first costly blunder in the second half allowed a tame shot by Monteith to trickle past her lazily outstretched right-hand into the back of the net to give Cayman Islands a 2-0 lead in the 57th minute.

Two minutes later, Hunte failed to stop another tame shot by Francis and could only watch as the ball rolled past her for the Cayman Islands’ third and final goal of the match. Antigua and Barbuda, however, did not allowed their shoulders to drop, but then proceeded to show some good resolve by dominating the play for the remainder of the game. They were able to create several chances, but were unable to pull a goal back.

Technical Director Rohan “Porridge” Benjamin said he is unhappy with the result, but is satisfied with his team’s performance.

“I must say that I felt that the girls fought hard. They met a team that was more physical than them. They are very young players and they were not really up to the task against the physical presence of the Cayman Islands,” Benjamin said.

“But all in all I am satisfied. We really missed our top goalkeeper, but I am satisfied that the team played their hearts out although we did not get the result that we wanted.”

Manager Bernie Bush said his team is very happy with Cayman Islands’ first international win, but admits his side had to fight hard for it.

“We are happy. It is their first international win. The programme is only eight months old so we are very pleased with where we have reached so far. We are still making a lot of mental mistakes, but that will improve because we haven’t had many games,” Bush said.

“You see Antigua and Cayman’s we are doing the same thing. We both have very young girls and we are building for the future, which is the right way to go. I am pleased with it and I am happy with the level that we played, but Antigua was no walk over. We capitalised on the mistakes they made. So it was no walk over for us and I don’t want the Antiguan public to get down on its team because the Antigua team did themselves proud.”

Earlier, favourites Jamaica trounced the United States Virgin Islands 8-0 in the opening match of the group.

Shashena Campbell, Monique Pryce and Shenika Williams all had double conversions, while Sherona Forrester and Vanessa Ramsay scored a goal each for the rampant Jamaicans.

The competition will continue at the ARG tomorrow with another double-header. Jamaica meet the Cayman Islands at 1:45 p.m., while Antigua and Barbuda will face the US Virgin Islands in the second encounter at 3:45 p.m.