Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

St Vincent and the Grenadines in surprise win over unbeaten Guyana
01-15-2007

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: The fourth game of the Digicel Caribbean Cup Finals between Guyana and St Vincent and the Grenadines opened at a tremendous pace, with a first recorded loss for Guyana and a good victory for SVG.

With a good vocal support the pre-match favourites and the only side with a 100 percent record in this year’s Digicel Caribbean Cup, Guyana started fantastically and looked like they would score within moments.

However, dark horses of this year’s competition, SVG, had other ideas and showed why they came through a group that eliminated defending champions Jamaica, when they broke from another Guyanese attack taking the lead in the fourth minute.

A hard shot from Greg Myers proved too hot for Guyana keeper Jason Lloyd to handle and, when the ball spilled out of the keeper's grasp, Shandel Samuel didn’t need to be asked twice to take advantage and put St Vincent and the Grenadines into an early one-nil lead.

The former West Indies captain and cricket legend, Clive Lloyd’s son, was almost beaten for a second time when three minutes later SVG broke quickly and yet again found room and space down the right flank of the Guyana defense. When Kendall Velox’s well placed cross left Benford Joseph with only Lloyd in the Guyanese net to beat, the SVG winger blazed his effort over the bar.

This seemed to wake up the Guyana side, who in fairness to coach Shabazz, had started well but simply failed to contend with the quick breakouts of the SVG attacks.

On 16 minutes Guyana should have been level when Nigel Coddrington dribbled past the entire SVG defense and when it seemed he may have lost the race to save the ball from going out over the touch line, managed to pull the ball across the face of goal where Randolph Jerome somehow managed not to connect from 3 yards out of an open net.

Guyana kept the pressure on however and on 28 minutes it was Coddrington again who worked his magic and drove at the heart of the SVG defense. When he was finally met by centre half Wesley Charles, the Guyanese striker let a tremendous drive leave his talented right foot which was so close to bringing Guyana back into this ferociously paced game.

Melvin Andrews in the SVG goal needed to be in fine form and he proved his worth in goal when he pulled off two magical saves in a row. First was from another Coddrington effort when he again dribbled through the SVG defense, with the second coming moments later from a long range effort from Kayode McKinnon.

Guyana kept pressing and right on the stroke of 45 minutes were so unlucky not to gain parity. Dexter Walker of Guyana maneuvered his way into the box dribbling past 3 static defenders before unleashing a thunderous shot toward the roof of the SVG net. However, as with the preceding 45 minutes, despite getting past the other 10 players, Guyana could find no way through Melvin Andrews who pulled off another dramatic save to keep SVG with a slender lead heading into the dressing rooms at the break.

The second half was dominated by Guyana but SVG held their game plan, sitting deep in defence and looking to catch their opponents on the break. Efforts from Coddrington McKinnon, Beveny Jerome and Richardson could simply not get past the stalwart Andrews in the SVG goal.

SVG showed why they need to be watched, when they again broke clear and, when they were left with a 3 on 2 situation, Kendall Velox pulled the ball back for Ezra Hendrickson who, despite lunging at the ball, was inches away from getting the slightest of touches, which would have directed the ball into the empty Guyana net from 3 yards out.

Guyana coach Shabazz wondered what he had to do to find some way past Digicel Man of the Match Andrews in the SVG net as he made all substitutions and reshaped his side to try to maximize advantage over a well organised defensive side.

With 6 minutes to play Guyana had their greatest chance when ironically it was they who broke quickly from a rare SVG corner. Anthony Abrams took advantage of a mistimed tackle and, when he skipped past the poor challenge on the right, his run and cross found fellow substitute Collie Hercules who somehow managed to miss his header from under the cross bar.

That was to be Guyana’s last chance as 2 minutes later in the 86th minute, SVG substitute Sean Glynn used his pace to skip around Guyana captain Charles Pollard and showed calmness beyond his years when he coolly placed the ball inside the left hand post of Lloyd's goal to make it 2-0 to St Vincent and the Grenadines.

This defeat ensured that the only two unbeaten teams from the opening rounds of the Digicel Caribbean Cup both started their opening games with their first recorded loss.

Guyana: Jason Lloyd, Howard Lowe, John Rodrigues, Walter Moore, Leslie Hooligan, Gregory Richardson (Collie Hercules 68’), Charles Pollard, Shawn Beveny (Carey Harris 63’), Kayode McKinnon, Nigel Coddrington, Randolph Jerome (Anthony Abrams 74’)

St Vincent and the Grenadines: Melvin Andrews, Wesley John, Ezra Henrdrickson, Wesley Charles, Benford Joseph (Dexter Browne 90), Shandel Samuel (Sean Glynn 78’), Kendall Velox, Andrew Douglas (Darren Francis 65’), Greg Myers, Dexter Walker, Collingham Delves