SOURCE: CARIBBEAN FOOTBALL UNION

Antigua and Barbuda and the Cayman Islands play to a draw

Antigua & Barbuda 3-3 Cayman Islands

ARIMA, Trinidad (August 19, 2024)—Antigua and Barbuda scored a goal in second-half extra time to draw their Tier II Group A match against the Cayman Islands 3-3. The teams were playing on Monday at the Larry Gomes Stadium.

A topsy-turvy area saw some early nervy moments for the Antigua and Barbuda team. A 4’ goalmouth scramble was almost their undoing. A partial clearance resulted in Cameron Murray’s shot from a distance being parried away for a corner. The resulting corner kick was swung in dangerously by Murray, causing the Antiguan team some anxious moments.   

The young Benna Boys had a half chance of their own in the 9’. Mario Lewis was unfairly brought down on the right side of the penalty area, and the ensuing cross flashed dangerously across the face of the goal with no player from Antigua and Barbuda there to turn the ball towards the goal.

The Cayman Islands grabbed the lead in minute 13. Ra’jon Boothe showed some strength to shrug off the challenge of his marker before squaring to 11 Wilfred Galeano Sevilla to tap in on the back post.

Joshua James looked to drag his team back into the encounter with some purposeful running down the left side for Antigua and Barbuda. James got in behind the Cayman

defense, but his effort was deflected for a corner kick. The resulting corner kick saw Luke Harney-Rogerson produce a moment of magic. Harney-Rogerson curled his right-footed corner kick directly into the roof of the net to grab an equalizer for Antigua and Barbuda in the 15’.

Lewis tried to use his technical ability to unlock the Cayman Islands’ defense. The winger skillfully evaded his marker but had his cross blocked. Moments later, Skipper Shamar Walters turned brilliantly and drove at the defense, but his shot took a deflection and went out for a corner kick. That corner kick would be telling, and it was Harney-Rogerson again with a superb cross. This time, the Antiguan playmaker found Walters at the back post and the forward made no mistake, giving his team the lead on the stroke of halftime in minute 35+3.

The Cayman Islands started the second half the brighter of the two teams. Three minutes had elapsed in the second half when Cooper Nelson played a defence splitting pass, and Boothe was off to the races. The powerfully built forward shrugged off the defender and slotted past the advancing Jamier Thomas in goal for Antigua and Barbuda. 

Boothe continued to cause problems for the Antigua and Barbuda back line, making use of his advantage in size and pace. He sought to connect mainly with Nelson and captain Charles Morrison, but the Antigua and Barbuda defense rallied to keep him at bay.

The Antiguan outfit kept probing and came close to taking the lead again. A series of good passes resulted in Walters looking to play Lewis in, but the pass was inches away from his outstretched foot.

The Young Benna Boys’ next attempt on goal in the 48’ with a long-distance effort by Jahdante Griffith. Griffith spotted Eden off his line and went for the spectacular, forcing the custodian to scramble back and tip the ball over the crossbar. 

Antigua and Barbuda momentarily thought they had gotten the go-ahead goal in the 62’. A hopeful ball in the penalty area bounced by the Cayman Islands defense, but King Caleb Eden reacted quicker than substitute Shumba Thomas to claim the loose ball. 

With the game in the balance and time winding down, both teams committed players to the attack in search of the winning goal. 

The Cayman Islands thought they had the match sealed in the 67’. Boothe again was in the mix. The forward used his strength to hold up play in midfield to find Morrison. The Caymanian captain played a telling ball to Jha-Sean Cousins, who shot to the right of Thomas for the Caymanians’ third conversion.

Not to be outdone, the Young Benna Boys grabbed a point in the second-half stoppage time. Thomas headed past Eden after a cross skimmed off the head of a defender. Thomas missed his initial attempt but reacted quickly to get his head to the bouncing ball to level the game 3-3 in minute 70+3.

Both teams get back into action on Tuesday. Antigua and Barbuda play unbeaten Barbados o while the Cayman Islands face Guyana.

SOURCE: CARIBBEAN FOOTBALL UNION

St. Vincent and The Grenadines edge out Antigua and Barbuda

ARIMA, Trinidad (August 17, 2024)—A second-half goal was enough for St. Vincent and The Grenadines to defeat Antigua and Barbuda in their Tier II Group A match in the 2024 CFU Boys’ U-14 Challenge Series on Sunday at the Larry Gomes Stadium. The win was the second consecutive for the Vincentians, while Antigua and Barbuda now have a win and a loss.

The contest started evenly, with the teams sizing up each other. St Vincent and the Grenadines had most of the possession for the first 15 minutes of the contest. Jomain Ollivierre got the first opportunity of the match. He received a through-pass from J-Shan Samuel and outpaced Shamar Walters before releasing his effort on goal, but it was a comfortable save for Antiguan goalkeeper Mekhi Phillip.

As play continued, the young Benna Boys took control. They started passing the ball swiftly around the park, and the attackers began displaying the tricks and flicks to awe the crowd. Ajay Barthley won possession just outside the penalty area. He then dribbled away from three Vincentian players before unleashing a fierce left-footed drive, which required an impressive save from Kevon Phillips in goal.

Phillips was called to action once more in the 27’ when he had to deal with a header by Roshan Samuel after he received a pinpoint cross from Walters.

The teams entered the half-time interval goalless.

The second half started with Antigua and Barbuda looking like the better team. They dominated possession and forced the St. Vincent and the Grenadines defense into action time and time again. Antigua and Barbuda missed a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 37’ when Jahdante Griffith’s free-kick found Walters unmarked at the back post. However, the Antiguan captain’s diving header narrowly missed the target.

Antigua’s dominance continued, and they looked like the team that would score the first goal of the contest. However, it was St. Vincent and the Grenadines who opened the scoring in the 46’ through their captain Beau Hoyte. He was assisted by Ollivierre, who held up play before making an amazing pass to Hoyte, who demonstrated class with his first touch to go past an Antiguan defender and put him through on goal where he made no mistake to put his team ahead.

Antigua and Barbuda had the chance to equalize in the 54’ when Luke Harney-Rogerson’s free-kick missed the target by a whisker.  St Vincent and the Grenadines held on to the victory after some stellar defensive play.

The win takes St Vincent and The Grenadines to six points after three matches, while Antigua and Barbuda will remain on three points after two matches. Both teams are in action on Monday when St. Vincent and the Grenadines take on Guyana and Antigua and Barbuda play the Cayman Islands.

The Jennings Ebenezer Community Sports Club’s Football League ( Jennings League), which initially kicked off on Sunday 11th August, continued yesterday with Caribbean Ballers defeating Jennings 4-2.

The Caribbean ballers bounced back after a 1-0 loss to Green City on Sunday with Joylan Joseph grabbing the sole goal of the encounter. On Thursday, the fortunes would change as they mauled Jennings by a 4-2 scoreline. Jaheim Jeremy registered the second hat-trick of the tournament and Jahmal Joseph converted a goal of his own. On Sunday, Jean Pierre Williams of Alley Boyz scored the first hat-trick versus Lion Hill.

Green City collected 3 points and 3 goals after Lion Hill didn’t field a team for their scheduled encounter. The matches continue on Saturday, August 17th from 5 pm. Click HERE for fixtures.

The Parham Super League resumed on Wednesday, 14th August with a double-header featuring an All Premier League cast. Newly promoted Attacking Saints faced up against Pigotts Bullets in the first encounter of the evening. The Saints weren’t their usual selves with key cast members unavailable due to injuries.

The mounting pressure from Bullets would pay off in the second half when an attacker was brought down in the penalty area, handing the men from Pigotts a live line. Forward Akeem Isaac converted his effort from the spot to secure the narrow win for his team. The win lifts them to four points after two matches and in second position in the six-team group.

In the feature match, Garden Stars came from behind to defeat a rebuilding Parham FC 4-2. Parham would take the lead early on after the referee blew for a foul on Montana within the Garden Stars penalty area. Despite diving the right way, the well-placed spot kick from Ramone Montana evaded the outstretched Curtnie Roberts in goal. Montana’s strike struck the post before entering the back of the net. 

Defender Gerique George found himself in unfamiliar territory when a corner wasn’t dealt with efficiently by Parham, George found himself at the top of the box, unmarked, and being urged to shoot by teammates, saw his left-footed strike fly into the roof of the net and mounted the start of the comeback for the Stars.

Winger Sidique Adams would cut in off the right side, shooting low and hard to give the men from Garden the lead 2-1. Substitute Courtney Clarke would extend the lead from the penalty spot after Karique Knight was brought down in the area. Knight would further put the icing on the cake when he added his name to the score sheet after a through pass from skipper Jahred Williams would send him on his way. Denie Henry would pull one back for Parham closer towards the end but the damage was already down. Garden Stars now lead their group only on goal difference, sharing the same number of points with Pigotts (4). 

The games continue on Friday. Click HERE for fixtures.

The second installment of the Parham Super League kick-off was on Saturday, 10th August, and Garden Stars FC went up against fellow premier league team, Pigotts SC. The game had some good end-to-end action with both teams trying to create and build their way up. Midway through the first half, Kimon Harrigan got his header onto a freekick to evade the diving Garden Stars custodian to give his team the lead. The lead for Pigotts would continue into the second half until Wilden Cornwall Jr latched onto a cross from Sidique Adams, his left-footed strike was too much for the Pigotts keeper. Neither team could find the equalizer and settled for a point shared.

In the second encounter of the triple-header, Willikies dispatched the newly promoted first-division team Freemans Village 3-1. Goals from Novelle Francis Jr, Nadre Thomas, and Phil Nicholas were enough to see off the First Division team. Josue Arias got the cancellation goal for the Scorpions.

In the feature match, The Boys from Brazil shrugged off an early scare after going behind early in the game when Corey Jarvis gave newly promoted Premier Division team Attacking Saints the lead with a blistering left-footed effort early in the match. Parham would equalize with Denie Henry grabbing the goal, but Jarvis would regain the lead for the Saints.  Shortly after Ramone Montana would bring things back level. 

Jtwan Browne would extend Parham’s lead and an unfortunate own goal for the Saints certainly summed up their evening. Parham eventually emerged the winner 4-2.

In the lone encounter on Sunday, 11th August. Potters Tigers defeated FC Master Ballers 2-0. Keon Greene converted from the penalty spot and Jamore Benjamin from a wonderful free-kick to secure the win for the Tigers. All Saints United and John Hughes were awarded 3pts and 3 goals after a no-show by Sap and Greenbay Hoppers respectively. 

The young Benna Princesses will take part in the upcoming CONCACAF Girls’ U15 Championship. The tournament is being hosted by three member countries, Trinidad & Tobago, Aruba and Costa Rica, the Benna princesses will contest Group C in League B of the tournament, jointing them are Grenada, Curacao, and host Trinidad & Tobago.

The team, led by former national player Nekiesha “ Tiky” Samuel and Assisted by Lorraine Charles and Karen Warner will leave for Trinidad on Saturday, August 3rd, 2024. They will play their first match on the 5th of August against host country Trinidad & Tobago, the 6th against Curacao, and their final group stage match on the 8th versus Grenada. All matches will be played at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Full squad HERE

Source: Caribbean Football Union

Grenades FC 2-1 SV Robinhood

WILLEMSTAD, Curacao (July 30, 2024)—Grenades FC of Antigua and Barbuda created a huge upset Tuesday night, as they defeated the CFU Club Shield defending champions SV Robinhood of Suriname 2-1 in the second quarterfinal match in Willemstad, Curacao.  

Playing at Stadion Rignaal Francisca, Robinhood wasted little time pressing on offense toward Grenades’ back line with several combination plays and exerting extreme pressure on goalkeeper Zaieem Scott. The Antiguan-based team kept composure in the defense to deny Robinhood several goal-scoring opportunities. A slight defensive error from Grenades almost forced them to trail in the 28’, however, a missed shot at an empty goal by Shaquille Cairo kept Grenades in the clear. 

Grenades FC’s Malcolm Stewart soon began pressing the Surinamese back line, leaving them scrambled while trying to remain composed. 

A major defensive error by goalkeeper Zaieem Scott jeopardized the leveled score-line as Robinhood’s Don Turr capitalized on Scott’s mistake, scoring the ball straight into the back of the net.  

Lone forward player Malcolm Stewart responded for Grenades three minutes later with an equalizer in the 34’.

As the second half commenced, Robinhood remained steadfast in pressuring Grenades’ defense, hoping to take the lead. However, with a turn of events in minute 58, Grenades’ right-back Jordan Britto capitalized on a corner kick, heading the ball into the net, and catching goalkeeper Jonathan Fonkel off-guard.

Luis Labrada was presented with a goal-scoring opportunity in the 71’ to extend Grenades’ lead. However, the ball went sailing over the crossbar, keeping the defending champion’s hopes alive.

Grenades, after 74 minutes of play and a goal ahead, changed their game plan to full defensive mode as they attempted to deny Robinhood goal-scoring opportunities. 

Ravello Zijler made several attacking attempts to equalize, but the great defending tactics of Grenades seemed futile for Zijler. With five minutes of added time, Grenades sat deep in Robinhood’s defense, which paid off significantly in their favor.

At the end of relegation time, it was Grenades FC who soared victorious, securing their spot in the Semifinals. They play CCCUL Dublanc of Dominica on August 2.

Source: Caribbean Football Union

Antigua and Barbuda’s Grenades advance to Club Shield quarterfinals; SV Real Rincon go home

SV Real Rincon 1-2 Grenades FC

WILLEMSTAD, Curacao (July 26, 2024)–Grenades FC of Antigua and Barbuda defeated SV Real Rincon of Bonaire 2-1 in the Round of 16 in 2024 CFU Club Shield action on Sunday at Stadion Rignaal Jean Francisca. The win was the second for Grenades and set up a quarterfinal match against defending champions SV Robinhood from Suriname.

Grenades started the game by pressing the Bonaire Premier League six-time champions. They also enjoyed most of the possession in the early stages of the match but couldn’t materialize much on the attack. SV Real Rincon looked menacing on the counter-attacks, forcing Grenades to be defensively disciplined.

Malcolm Stewart was the Grenades’ best player on the day in the center-forward position, operating mainly down the left-hand side. He was menacing to the Rincon defense, squaring a cross to Luis Labrada whose effort on goal went wide of Rishison Frans in goal for SV Real Rincon. Stewart’s pressuring run forced a defensive blunder, and he found himself one-on-one with Frans, but he sent his effort inches wide of the target in the 25’. Rincon tried to mount some pressure on Grenades with some combination play on the left-hand side, resulting in a shot that only found the side netting of Zaieem Scott’s goal.

Frans came up with a big save in the 36’ when Grenades captain Quinton Griffith saw his long-range effort blocked but picked up by Sherman Augustine. Augustine cleverly passed to Keanu Barrett in the penalty area, but Frans’ outstretched leg saved the shot.

Grenades got the break minutes before the half-time whistle through Sherman Augustine. A Griffith free-kick found Augustine on the back post to head home from close range in the 43’ to end the half 1-0. It was his second goal of the tournament.

The game restarted with Grenades hunting for the go-ahead goal, with Barrington Blake trying to test the goalkeeper from a distance. Stewart tried to link with Luis Labrada inside the box, but misguided his pass.

Labrada extended his team’s lead in the 64’ after a Keanu Barrett cross found him unmarked in the box. His first-time shot went flying into the net, and Frans had no chance in goal.

SV Real Rincon tried to mount a comeback in the 78’. Bonaire’s leading all-time scorer captain Ayrton Cicilia sent keeper Scott flying to his left to no avail as the ball nestled in the top left-hand corner of Grenades’ goal, making it 2-1.

Grenades saw out the mounting, ending the game 2-1 and advancing to the Quarterfinals on July 30. They will face stern competition from SV Robinhood, who won the Shield in 2019 and again in 2023. Robinhood also won the 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Cup.

The second installment of the Parham Super League, hosted by the Parham Football Club and East Boys Promotion is set to kick off on the 10th of August, 2024.

The league, in its second year, is a highly anticipated pre-season tournament that clubs use as preparation for their respective seasons. Last year’s champions, Pigotts SC, will defend their title against fresh competition and new faces.

Other teams participating in the league are Premier League clubs Garden Strars FC, Parham FC, Willikies FC, Greenbay Hoppers, John Hughes, Old Road, and newly promoted Attacking Saints and Potters FC. First division teams, Freemans Village ( 2nd Division champions ), FC Master Ballers (newly promoted), and Sap FC.

The twelve teams will be divided into two groups of six. Attacking Saints, Garden Stars, Parham, Pigotts, Willikies, and Freeman’s Village will contest Group A. 

Greenbay Hoppers, Sap, John Hughes, Old Road, Potters, and, FC Master Ballers will contest group B. The games will be played over six weeks on Saturdays and Sundays. Four teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals. The league’s grand prize is set at EC $5000.00.

The Denfield “Tody” Thomas Memorial League 2024, popularly known as the New Village League, concluded on a high note last evening, seeing the young Germans crowned Champions of the “Small Goal World Cup “.

The third-place match between Italy and Argentina kicked off the action-packed night. Italy had the upper hand on Argentina after they started a few short. Reinforcements would arrive after some minutes of action but that didn’t stop Italy from drawing first blood with a strike from youngster Jamarni Jarvis. 

Argentina didn’t take the blow lightly and equalized within minutes of the restart, courtesy of their leading marksman, Oshane Blackwood. The game continued with some close calls but neither team did enough to get the winner in regular time and it came down to penalties to decide the third-place winner. Nerves weren’t an issue for Argentina as they calmly slotted home 4 of their five penalties while Italy could only convert three.

Germany and Morocco took center stage for the main event for the chance to be crowned champions of the Small Goal World Cup. The game started slow but heated up in a matter of time, with both teams playing in the finals of the tournament’s history. Fresh & Easy Supermarket Germany ( In Time To Come ), managed by Senior Benna Girls manager Esther Anthony and coached by Benna Girls U14 coach Lorraine Charles and Morocco ( New Generation ) a product of the Garden Stars Football Club’s academy were full of young talent and fully deserving of playing in the finals.

Shemar Anthony silenced the crowd at The Garden after his strike opened the scoring for his team and went well into half-time leading 1-0 with Morocco unable to find an answer. Play resumed with Germany pulling out the delayed tactics to slow the game down and take some time off of the clock, being well organized in defense and as good going forward.

A few attacks with some good movement Morocco got the equalizer from Jevuaghn Jarvis that was greeted with high celebrations from the home crowd. The chance now again presented itself for anyone to be crown champions. The go-ahead goal in regular time was out of reach for both teams and for the second time of the evening, penalty kicks would decide the winner.

Germany had gotten to the finals by way of two penalty shoot-outs and backed themselves to get the job done when it mattered most, and that they did. Showing no nerves, Germany outscored Morocco in the shootout 4-3 to be crowned the champions of the Denfield “Tody” Thomas Memorial League 2024. The Small Goal World Cup Champions.

Wilton Rhodes from Germany was judged the Most Valuable Player of the league, receiving prizes from sponsors Tradewinds Hotel and Limits Backhoe Services. Best Young Player award was captured by Tyrique Lothian of Morocco and he received prizes from 4K Sports Accessories plus. Football Profile 268 sponsored prizes for two young emerging talents and those were awarded to Tiquan Anthony and Asanti Warner from Morocco. The Golden Boot award was captured by Malique Martin from Brazil.

The champion team received $3000.00, the second place received $1500.00, and the third place received $500.00. Each team also received an additional $200.00 for every advancement from the group stage. Prize monies were sponsored by WTP We The People media network and the Hon. E P Chet Greene.