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Saturday, November 27th 2010 – Stade Riviere Pilote, Martinique: Jamaica started the defence of their Digicel Cup title by outclassing Antigua & Barbuda in wet and windy conditions in Martinique in the opening games of Group I of the Digicel Cup Finals.
Goals(14') Luton Shelton(49') Gason Gregory(37') Luton Shelton (40') Dane Richards
The Reggae Boyz competing in their first game of the 2010 Digicel Caribbean Cup started brightly but were in a game against a lively and energetic Antiguan side who did not seem to be daunted by their opponents.
That confidence was soon knocked when after only 14 minutes play, Dane Richards turned the ball into the path of Luton Shelton who had the easiest of tasks by placing the ball past Decastro with a confident sidefoot into the Antiguan net.
Richards almost made it 2 five minutes later, when the pacey striker knocked the ball over the advancing Decastro after a long ball had put him through, only for Dublin to show his pace by outsprinting the Jamaican striker to clear what would have been a certain goal for the Reggae Boyz.
The reigning Digicel Cup champions looked to stamp their authority on this game and always looked the more likely to extend their lead as their pace and quick passing looked as if it would undo Antigua on a few more occasions at least.
On 37 minutes a long ball over the top from Shaun Francis allowed Luton Shelton to race clear and when confronted by keeper Decastro, he cleverly cut back across the retreating defenders and slotted home to make it 2-0.
Three minutes later and the Reggae Boyz were three up. This time Dane Richards was the scorer after another through ball caught the Antiguan defence flat once again and yet again the Jamaican striker took his opportunity at the first time of asking.
Antigua were given a lifeline at the start of the second half when substitute Gason Gregory on the pitch only 3 minutes, made an immediate impact when his thunderous free kick from 30 yards flew past a bewildered Dwayne Miller who could only palm at the thunderbolt but not prevent it crashing into the back of his net.
Antigua’s confidence now rose ten-fold and they took to their opponents with a new found purpose. On 55 minutes Byers looked odds on to pull another back for Antigua as he charged down on Jamaica’s goal only for a wonderful one handed flying save from Miller that turned the ball out for a corner preventing a second for the underdogs.
Antigua continued to play with purpose and were testing the Jamaican defence more and more with Byers growing in confidence after a wicked curling effort just flew past the post.
Richards then broke away on 66 minutes and with two defenders to beat, his trickery and pace got him around those but when faced with just the keeper, seemed to rush his shot and blasted over the bar, when he seemed odds on to score a wonder goal.
The game moved equally between both ends for the remainder of the game with Antigua certainly looking more purposeful and were probably ruing those lacklustre defensive frailties for a few mad moments in the first half which were now looking so costly to them.
Jamaica saw out the dying moments pinned back and while they were on the back foot they were comfortable enough to ensure that the three points were secured as they end their opening encounter of the Digicel Cup 2010 top of their Group I here in Martinique.
Goals(14') Luton Shelton(49') Gason Gregory(37') Luton Shelton (40') Dane Richards
The Reggae Boyz competing in their first game of the 2010 Digicel Caribbean Cup started brightly but were in a game against a lively and energetic Antiguan side who did not seem to be daunted by their opponents.
That confidence was soon knocked when after only 14 minutes play, Dane Richards turned the ball into the path of Luton Shelton who had the easiest of tasks by placing the ball past Decastro with a confident sidefoot into the Antiguan net.
Richards almost made it 2 five minutes later, when the pacey striker knocked the ball over the advancing Decastro after a long ball had put him through, only for Dublin to show his pace by outsprinting the Jamaican striker to clear what would have been a certain goal for the Reggae Boyz.
The reigning Digicel Cup champions looked to stamp their authority on this game and always looked the more likely to extend their lead as their pace and quick passing looked as if it would undo Antigua on a few more occasions at least.
On 37 minutes a long ball over the top from Shaun Francis allowed Luton Shelton to race clear and when confronted by keeper Decastro, he cleverly cut back across the retreating defenders and slotted home to make it 2-0.
Three minutes later and the Reggae Boyz were three up. This time Dane Richards was the scorer after another through ball caught the Antiguan defence flat once again and yet again the Jamaican striker took his opportunity at the first time of asking.
Antigua were given a lifeline at the start of the second half when substitute Gason Gregory on the pitch only 3 minutes, made an immediate impact when his thunderous free kick from 30 yards flew past a bewildered Dwayne Miller who could only palm at the thunderbolt but not prevent it crashing into the back of his net.
Antigua’s confidence now rose ten-fold and they took to their opponents with a new found purpose. On 55 minutes Byers looked odds on to pull another back for Antigua as he charged down on Jamaica’s goal only for a wonderful one handed flying save from Miller that turned the ball out for a corner preventing a second for the underdogs.
Antigua continued to play with purpose and were testing the Jamaican defence more and more with Byers growing in confidence after a wicked curling effort just flew past the post.
Richards then broke away on 66 minutes and with two defenders to beat, his trickery and pace got him around those but when faced with just the keeper, seemed to rush his shot and blasted over the bar, when he seemed odds on to score a wonder goal.
The game moved equally between both ends for the remainder of the game with Antigua certainly looking more purposeful and were probably ruing those lacklustre defensive frailties for a few mad moments in the first half which were now looking so costly to them.
Jamaica saw out the dying moments pinned back and while they were on the back foot they were comfortable enough to ensure that the three points were secured as they end their opening encounter of the Digicel Cup 2010 top of their Group I here in Martinique.