Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
Jamaica's Shanique Mitchell (left) fires a shot past St. Lucia's goalkeeper Umilta Flavius, which missed the target, while defender Vincentia Reid (right) looks on during their Caribbean zone Group C Gold Cup qualifier at the National Stadium last night. Jamaica won 5-0. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
JAMAICA AND St. Kitts/Nevis scored important wins as the first set of games in Group C of the Caribbean Women's Gold Cup qualification ended yesterday at the National Stadium.
The Reggae Girlz registered an easy 5-0 drubbing over St. Lucia, while St. Kitts/Nevis defeated Antigua/Barbuda 3-2.
Goals by Venecia Reid in the fourth minute and Omolyn Davis in the 45th minute gave Jamaica a 2-0 half-time lead.
This advantage was rein-forced with goals in the second half by Kimmia Parker in the 64th minute, Shakira Duncan the 70th, and Nordia Reid rounded off the conversion at the 89th minute.
Jamaica's coach Vin Blaine said: "We took a little time to settle down after we got the first goal and got a little complacent.
"In the second half we corrected some things that we were doing wrong and it paid dividends."
St. Lucia's coach, Trevor Anderson, said: "I wasn't really disappointed because Jamaica is a much better team. Their understanding, their passing, their awareness was evident."
In the curtain-raiser, two goals by Shermel Johnson led St. Kitts/Nevis to a 3-2 win over Antigua. They also join Jamaica on three points but Jamaica head the group on goal difference.
Johnson struck in the 21st and 56th minutes but it was left to Caroline Willock to find the winner in the 70th minute.
Whitney Jacobs and Odeal Simon had twice equalised for Antigua in the 52nd and 62nd minutes, respectively.
Jamaica and St. Kitts now head the challenge for the lone qualifying spot from the group, but the Girlz lead with a superior goal difference.
Action resumes with a double-header at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex, with St. Lucia tackling St. Kitts/Nevis at 5:00 p.m. before Jamaica take on Antigua/Barbuda at 7:00 p.m.
