Photo Credit: Don Streete / Mordy Brown

Reggae Boyz Whips St. Vincent and the Grenadines 5-1
June 3, 2008
Technical director Rene Simoes seems to have found a good combination and formation for the Reggae Boyz as they defeated St Vincent and the Grenadines 5-1 in an international friendly here today at the National Stadium in Jamaica.

Jamaica’s 3-5-2 lineup, included Donovan Ricketts in goal, Simon Ford , Adrian Reid and Ian Goodison defending, Ricardo Gardner, Demar Phillips, Evon Taylor, Rudolph Austin and Andy Williams in midfield and Marlon King along with  Ricardo Fuller in the striker roles

Playing in front of approximately 15,000 spectators, Jamaica went ahead at the 17 minute mark with a nice pass from Marlon King to Demar Phillips who scored from a left footed strike. The Boyz kept up the attack playing with pace and determination that earned them 5 corners in the first 25 minutes.  

The second goal came by way of Andy Williams laying off a nice ball to Gardner who was brought down in the penalty box. Penalty taker Marlon King stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 2-0, 27 minutes into the game. St Vincent tried to get their attack going by playing the long ball but they were easily picked off by Ford, Reid and Goodison who defended well.

The Boyz continued to dominate, maintaining about 65% of the ball possession and were rewarded on the 40th minute as King struck again scoring a beautiful volley from inside the penalty area from a well-weighted cross from Austin. The half ended with Jamaica leading 3-0.

St Vincent and the Grenadines seemed more determined in the second half and were rewarded in the 56th minute when Marlon James rose above the defense to head home and pulled one back making it 3-1

Simoes made a few changes to his lineup throughout the second half., with Luton Shelton replacing Fuller, Deon Burton coming for King, Jamal Campbell-Ryce for Austin, Keneil Moodie for Ford, Richard Langley for Evan Taylor and Jermaine Taylor for Adrian Reid. The Reggae Boyz continued to dominate to the final whistle as Deon Burton in 73rd minute and then Ricardo Gardener in the 87th minute closed out the scoring for Jamaica to make it 5-1.

Jamaica will now depart for Trinidad for their friendly rivalry on Saturday followed by a game against Grenada on June 10, before returning home for the first of two CONCACAF World Cup qualifying dates with The Bahamas on June 15 and 18 at the National Stadium and the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium, respectively.

Teams:
Jamaica - Donovan Ricketts, Ian Goodison, Adrian Reid (Jermaine Taylor 69th), Simon Ford (Keneil Moodie 76th), Evon Taylor (Richard Langley 82nd), Ricardo Gardner, Andy Williams, Demar Phillips, Rudolph Austin (Jamal Campbell-Ryce 65th), Ricardo Fuller (Luton Shelton 70th), Marlon King (Deon Burton 72nd).
Subs not used: Shawn Sawyers, Obrian Woodbine, Jermaine Johnson, Omar Daley. Booked: Reid (66th), Fuller (70th). Read more in the Forum .