Thursday, January 18, 2007

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Martinique ended their appearance in the Digicel Caribbean Cup on a high as they defeated Barbados in the Hasely Crawford stadium in Group Sedley Joseph.

After a disappointing start to the Digicel Caribbean Cup finals where they lost their opening two games, the French West Indies went out of the tournament in a positive note.

With 8 minutes on the clock Martinique opened their account when keeper Oliver Sylvestre’s long goal kick was missed by all and ran through to captain Patrick Percin who showed real calmness to run onto the ball in a one on one situation and stroke the ball past the advancing Chase.

The second goal was almost a carbon copy of the first when a long ball from the back saw Johan Clementia run through on a similar one on one with netminder Chase and he placed the ball in the same position as Percin had done 11 minutes earlier.

Barbados realized they had to strike fast before this game ran away from them and it took them only 8 minutes to do so when on 27 minutes Neil Harvey volleyed home a wonderful cross from the left wing by Gregory Goodridge.

Gael Germany restored Martinique’s two goal advantage on 32 minutes.

On this occasion Percin turned provider when his long cross field pass was dummied well by José Goron in the centre to allow the ball run onto left winger Johan Clementia.

Clementia pulled the ball back to midfielder Germany who showed a touch of class by finding the back of the Barbados net from the left corner edge of the box to make it 3-1.

Barbados were thrown a lifeline before half time when on 42 minutes Martinique keeper Eddie Heurlie was caught in possession with the ball outside the box by Louie Soares who knocked the ball into an empty net after dispossessing the embarrassed netminder.

The second half did not produce as many goals as the first but Louie Soares came close to getting his name on the score sheet for the second time when his effort from just outside the box on 72 minutes flew just the wrong side of the post.

Barbados and Martinique now go home after adding so much color and drama to this tournament since last September, but however they will be pleased with the thought of going home with points on the board.

Barbados: Adrian Chase, Jonathan Straker, Ramuel Miller, Rohan Hall (John Hawkesworth 64’), Gregory Goodridge, Louie Soares (Ryan Lucas 80’), Neil Harvey (Rushida Williams 64’), John Parris, Norman Forde, Sheridan Groversnor, Romelle Burgess

Martinique: Eddy Heurlie, Patrick Percin, Gael Germany (Charles Coridon 54’), Wilfried Thalien, José Goron (Sebastien Lugiery 84’), Daniel Herelle, Willy Padolly, Johan Clementia, Xavier Bullet, Franciano Etinof (Jean Victoire Lavril 63’), Audrick Linord

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