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Reggae Boyz whip St Vincent in impressive display PREMIDICTOR June 03rd, 2008 |
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The Reggae Boyz turned in an impressive performance whipping St Vincent and the Grenadines 5-1 at the National Stadium last night and avenged their 1-2 defeat in 2006.
Wigan striker Marlon King grabbed a brace in the 27th and 42nd minutes after Demar Phillips opened the scoring in the 17th minute.
Substitute Deon Burton and captain Ricardo Gardner sealed the win in the 73rd and 87th minutes respectively.
Marlon James was the lone scorer for St Vincent in the 56th minutes reducing the score to 3-1 after the interval.
It was a good World Cup preparation for the Reggae Boyz which gave debuts to Simon Ford, 26, of Scottish club Kilmarnock and 19-year-old Evan Taylor of local outfit Reno FC.
Technical director Rene Simoes employed the 3-5-2 formation with Donovan Ricketts in goal, Ford sweeping behind defenders Adrian Reid and 35-year-old Ian "Pepe" Goodison with a five man midfield including Gardner, Phillips, Taylor, Rudolph Austin and the recalled Andy Williams.
The prolific King started upfront with Stoke City striker Ricardo Fuller.
In front of an approximately 15,000 fans, which was good for a weekday match, the Reggae Boyz dominated early and it was no surprise when the energetic Phillips gave the lead.
He collected a ball just on top of the box and fired a well-placed leftfooter past a diving Andrew Melvin in goal in the 17th minute.
St Vincent with the lively and skilful Velox Kendal, Sean Glynn, Emerald George and Marlon James tried to match the Jamaicans, but fell further behind.
Gardner latched onto a beautiful chipped pass from Williams and just when he was about to pull the trigger he was fouled and Caymanian referee Alfredo Whittaker pointed to the spot.
King, calmly slotted home, sending the goalkeeper in the wrong direction in the 27th minute.
The third goal was probably the best involving at least three players as Man-of-the-Match, Phillips picked out Austin down the right flank and he whipped in a well-weighted cross for King to spectacularly volleyed home from well inside the box in the 42nd minute.
King could have completed his hattrick but watch as his sliding effort went agonisingly wide a minute later. The half ended 3-0 with the home team well in control.
On the resumption St Vincent silenced the partisan home fans as James rose above the defence to head home in the 56th minute to reduced the deficit bring the score to 3-1.
Simoes began ringing the changes with Luton Shelton coming in for Fuller, Deon Burton for King, Jamal Campbell-Ryce for Austin, Keneil Moodie for Ford, Richard Langley for Evan Taylor and Jermaine Taylor for Adrian Reid throughout the second half.
A sharp looking Burton — with his first touch— saw his goal-bound volley parried from close range but was very fortunate to scored from the resulting corner kick in the 73rd minute.
Goodison's downward header somehow brushed Burton's chest on its way in, then Burton turned provider, to tee up Gardener for an easy tap in the 87th minute.
It was a good display from the Boyz as they head to Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday for their friendly on June 7 full of confidence.
Jamaica: Donovan Ricketts, Ian Goodison, Adrian Reid (Jermaine Taylor 69th), Simon Ford (Keneil Moodie 76th), Evan Taylor (Richard Langley 82nd), Ricardo Gardner, Andy Williams, Demar Phillips, Rudolph Austin (Jamal Campbell-Ryce 65th), Ricardo Fuller (Luton Shelton 70th), Marlon King (Deon Burton 72nd).
Subs not used: Shawn Sawyers, Obrian Woodbine, Jermaine Johnson, Omar Daley.
Cautions: Reid (66th), Fuller (70th).
St Vincent & the Grenadines : Melvin Andrew, Roy Richards, Oscar Nero, Kendal Velox, Sean Glynn (Shandell Samuel 68th), Cornelius Huggins, Millon Prescott (Troy Jeffers 46th), Theon Gordon ( Randolph Williams 46th), Emerald George (Dorren Hamlet 88th), Darren Francis (Cornelius Stewart 65th), Marlon James.
Subs not used: Benford Joseph, Richard Hayde, Alwyn Guy, Winslow McDonald.
Cautions: Williams (60th), Nero (87th).
Referee: Alfredo Whittaker (Cayman)
Assistant Referees: Garnett Page (Jamaica) & Triston Tulloch (Jamaica) Fourth Official: Kevin Morrison (Jamaica) Match Commissary: Anthony Cooke (Jamaica)