HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC:
BERMUDA RALLIED to beat the Jamaica Under-23 side 2-1 in a hot-tempered international friendly at the National Sports Centre yesterday.
Jamaica led soon after the opening whistle, but Bermuda struck twice in the second half to hand the young Reggae Boyz their first defeat on the three-match tour.
Bermuda's winner came from captain Meshach Wade, who pumped in a disputed penalty in the 79th minute, and an angry clash between players ensued minutes later.
The Jamaicans, who beat North Village 2-1 and drew 3-3 with the Devonshire Colts when they met top club opposition in their previous games, had their usual strong start and went ahead after only two minutes. Forward Leon Strickland evaded two defenders in a clever move down the right and crossed low for the onrushing Roland Dean to convert from close range.
The young Jamaicans, preparing for this year's Pan American Games and Olympic qualifying series, maintained control of the game but failed to widen the lead due to their own faulty shooting, and fine work in goal by Bermuda's Dwayne Adams.
The home side resisted more pressure early in the second half but secured an equaliser when Clevon Hill bravely headed in a Stephen Astwood cross as the Jamaican goalkeeper Alien Whittaker lunged forward to collect. FIFA referee Lynden Raynor awarded a penalty to the home side 11 minutes before the end when forward Jared Peniston was sandwiched in the box and fell under the challenge by the Jamaican defenders. Wade then struck the spot kick firmly to Whittaker's left for the go-ahead goal.
Tempers flared in the 82nd minute and players from both teams had to be separated when Bermuda substitute Johnny Ball recklessly fouled Dean. He was shown the yellow card but play was halted for several minutes as officials from both teams tried to restore calm.
Strickland and Dean would rue several missed chances in the game, while the usually menacing Wolry Wolfe, who had scored in both earlier games, was stifled in Bermuda's clear plan to limit his impact on the game. Jamaican coach Peter Cargill, upset about the decision to award the penalty, and complained after the game that his team was "robbed".
Teams:
Jamaica - Alien Whittaker, Wayne Ellis, Tyrone Sawyers, Shane Stevens, Omar Daley, Kevon Harris, Wolry Wolfe, Damion Williams, Fabian Dawkins, Leon Strickland (Khari Stephenson-81st), Roland Dean (Christopher Nicholas-82nd). Bermuda - Dwayne Adams, Shannon Deshield, Torry Davis, Meshach Wade, Damon Edwards, Chris Moulder (Johnny Ball-77th), Clevon Hill, Jahnai Raynor (Kaiwon Dill-62nd), Jared Peniston, Stephen Astwood, Rohhan Simons.
