Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 03, 2011 Sports
A 25th minute goal off the boot of Shawn Beveney supported by a similar effort in the 75th minute by Charles ‘Lilly’ Pollard earned the Golden Jaguars a hard fought 2-0 victory over Barbados in their FIFA World Cup Group ‘B’ qualifiers at the National Stadium Providence last evening.
Both teams started cautiously with the Bajans looking more composed during the opening minutes. The Guyanese ball-weavers eventually switched gears and demonstrated skill and dexterity mixed with robust interventions that had the Bajans working hard for ball possession. Amidst it all, the lads from the land of the flying fish attacked venomously to stave off the sustained pressure of the Guyanese strikers.
The local side attacked and counterattacked and were eventually rewarded when Beveney latched onto a pin point offering from Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson from the right wing, dribbled past the Bajan custodian and tapped in for the first success for the ‘Golden Jaguars.’
Buoyed by their early success, the Guyanese ball weavers upped the ante with several spirited attacks. During that period both Richardson and Beveney were guilty of tardy play, failing to convert manageable chances. Jake Newton also came tantalizingly close to registering a goal but his left foot shot skimmed the cross bar to the groans of the supporters but obvious relief to the Barbadians.
They retaliated with a cross from the right flank that eluded both Pollard and Newton and landed on the head of striker, Renaldo Marques but Ronson Williams stationed between the uprights was equal to the task, denying the Bajans. Despite spirited attacks by both sides the two teams went in at half time with Guyana enjoying a 1-0 lead.
The battle for honours continued into the second period with the Bajans attacking relentlessly for the equalizer. However, stout defending by the Guyanese ball weavers denied them. The margin of victory should have been wider but for the tardiness of the Guyanese strikers none more glaring that Shawn Beveney who early in the second stanza, with the goalie alone to contend with, struck a sure chance down the left side. Unperturbed, Richardson latched on to a bit of tardy work by the Bajan ‘keeper less than five minutes later when Jason Boxill failed to hold onto a stinging strike from the right wing. He parried the ball back into play where an alert Richardson tucked it into the back of the net only to have the referee rule off side much to the dismay of teammates and fans.
The Guyanese might just rue those missed opportunities should goal difference become a necessity to qualify. That apart, both teams must be commended for their high level of physical fitness as they entered the second half with renewed energy.
The ‘Jaguars’ continued their robust style of attack but several raids were rendered ineffective as the Bajans thwarted their efforts with counterstrikes.
Both sides continued to attack with the Guyanese rotating the ball dangerously close to the opposition’s goal. Despite a few close calls, the Barbados defence line up held a firm ground to keep score at one nil.
It was around that time that Charles ‘Lilly’ Pollard struck with a powerful header off a free kick just off the 25 yards box that left the Bajan goalie stranded as it settled in the network. It should have been 3-0 ten minutes later but the Guyanese failed to capitalize on tardy defensive work by the Bajans who eventually managed to clear the ball.
When the final whistle sounded both sides were still battling furiously for ball possession but with the Guyanese comfortably ahead, the Bajan’s efforts were eventually rendered inconsequential. The Guyanese go on to play Bermuda in their second qualifier on Tuesday.
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