Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
JAMAICA'S REGGAE Girlz registered the biggest win of Caribbean Group C women's Gold Cup qualification with a massive 10-0 win over Antigua and Barbuda at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on wednesday night.
The team all but wrapped up top spot in the group, moving to the maximum six points with a massive goal difference of 15 for and none against.
Only something out of the ordinary can prevent Jamaica from topping the group and advancing to the next round.
In the curtainraiser, St. Lucia edged St. Kitts and Nevis 3-2 to be on three points, the same as their opponents with one round remaining.
Shanique Mitchell, who banged in three goals, scored the fastest goal of the tournament, slotting home after only 38 seconds on the clock.
Mitchell completed her first half three-timer in the 21st and 38th minutes. She led four other scorers in the 10-0 mauling of Antigua and Barbuda.
Captain Venecia 'String Bean' Reid also notched a three-timer in the fifth, 82nd and 90th minutes but on another day, she could have scored at least 10 after a series of unfortunate misses.
Midfielder general Kimmia Parker, 26th, Omolyn Davis, 60th, and a brace by substitute Skakira Duncan in the 71st and 90th sealed the deal.
So dominant was Jamaica's performance that it took 44 minutes before goalkeeper Patria Campbell had to use her hands to make a save.
Winning coach Vin Blaine said he was using each game to analyse where the team was at this stage in preparation for the Gold Cup.
"I used this game to gauge where they are. They started off well and, for most part of the game, we kept our shape. We moved the ball around and pulled them out and was able to score goals," said Blaine.
A depressed-looking Chelsey Browne, coach of Antigua and Barbuda, said his team was simply outclassed.
"I think we were outplayed by a far more superior team. There is no excuse for the way we lost. Our girls didn't play like we wanted them to play, but Jamaica is a far superior team and you have to take your hat off to Jamaica," said Browne.
The qualifiers continue today with St. Lucia playing Antigua and Barbuda at 4: 00 p.m. before Jamaica tackle St Kitts and Nevis at 6:00 p.m. at the same venue.
GOALSHEET
Jamaica 10
(Shanique Mitchell 1st, 21st, 38th; Venecia Reid 5th, 82nd, 90th; Kimmia Parker 26th, Omolyn Davis 60th, Skakira Duncan 71st and 90th)
Antigua and Barbuda 0
St Lucia 3
(Beverley Francis 45th, 51st, Keva Joseph 64th)
St Kitts & Nevis 2
(Isis Richards 62nd, Shamekah Isaacs 90th)
Taken from The Daily Gleaner, May 10, 2006
