Sport
Cayman draws with
Arnett Garden
Frederick Wilks andGarfield Rennicks contest the ball
Photo by Tara Bush
Two players vie forpossession during the match on Sunday
Cayman 1
Arnett Gardens 1
Marcio Maximo: A.Whittaker; Thomas (70th Fisher); Lindo; F. Wilks; Watler (85thRidley); M. Wilks; Anderson (60th L. Ebanks); Johnson; L. Whittaker(75th Person); Ramoon; Brown (72nd Douglas)
Jerome White:Collins (46th McLeish); Barnes; McDonalds; Chin-Sue; Benjamin(79th D. Smith); Niel; Smith (62nd Lopez); Sheddon (60th Mickle);Richardson (73rd Earl); Collins; Rennicks (80th Wilson); Reid
Referee: Bowen
Asst Referee: Pearson;Oliver
A goal in the dying minutes of Sunday'sgame by Chris Douglas resulted in a 1-all draw for the CaymanNational squad in the Arnett Gardens match, as the team preparesfor the Copa Carib Cup in April.
After losing to Arnett Gardens of Jamaica2-0 on Saturday, the Cayman team managed to hold the tourist toa draw. In fact, it appeared as if it was going to be an easywalk through for the Arnett team when they scored in the secondminute. Garfield Rennick moved into Cayman's back third at acrackling pace, beating the opposing defense on the right flanks.He crossed the ball over Cayman's keeper, Alfredo Whittaker'shead to the left where Kwame Richardson shook lose Frederick Wilksand Romeo Thomas. Richardson knocked the ball into the back ofthe net.
Cayman rallied back with Garth "CaymanianFlash" Anderson making flight from Cayman's third to Jamaicanthird in a millie second. Anderson felt the crunch of Arnett Gardens'defense and made a timely pass to Michael Wilks, who took theball more to the right of the pitch. Wilks released the ball goalward.However, the angle was too far off to make a serious attempt onthe goal, which resulted in an easy save for Arnett Gardens' keeper,Selvin Collin.
Minutes later, Lee Ramoon fired a blisteringgrounder from 35 yard out testing Collins again which seemed tobe the wake up call that Arnett Gardens needed, as they felt thepinch of Cayman's battering. The tourists mounted several excellentcampaigns that nearly resulted in a second goal had it not beenfor Whittaker's diving save. Then Cayman appeared to take up amore defensive posture that made for a drop in pace. In fact,the home team seemed to be reactive rather than proactive untilthe beginning of the second half.
As the second half began, Cayman openedwith a blistering pace, bombarding Arnett Gardens from every turn.Whittaker broke through the tourist defense line after he receiveda through ball. He was in the 18-yard box unchallenged and lined-upthe ball to launch the ball goalward. Doing the two-step, however,he waited just long enough for Garden's Sebeko Reid to pounce,foiling the attempt.
Minutes later Wilks and Ramoon zoomed intothe opposing back third and were on the verge of blasting theball goalward, but the Garden men mowed them down, tripping Ramoonand Wilks before they could release the ball.
National Football Technical Director, MaricoMaximo a substitute, seemed to solidified the team. The freshlegs allowed Cayman to take the game to a higher level. With playcoming to a close, it appeared as if Arnett Gardens was goingto walk away with a win. But Cayman scored in the 89th minutewhen Michael Ridley brought the ball down the line. He crossedto Dominique Pearson, inside the six-yard box. Pearson touchedthe ball off to Chris Douglas who placed it neatly into the backof the net for the equaliser.
National Football Technical Director, MaricoMaximo said: "I am happy with the result. The team is lookinggood. We need more games with strong opponents."