Antigua Barracuda News Release -- www.antiguabarracudafc.com
Saturday, April 22, 2011
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – A relieved Antigua Barracuda FC team recorded its first victory in USL PRO in front of a jubilant home crowd at the Sticky Wicket Stadium on Saturday night, defeating Sevilla FC Puerto Rico 3-2.
Strikes by debutant Stefan Smith in the 19th and 21st minutes gave the ‘Cudas the lead going into halftime after a goalkeeping error by the Barracuda FC custodian resulted in Sevilla FC taking an unexpected lead in the 15th minute through Eli Gordley.
A second-half strike by substitute Gayson Gregory in the 84th minute seemingly put the tie beyond doubt, but not before another substitute provided some unwanted discomfort for the Barracuda FC as Sevilla’s Alain Gustave pounced on a loose ball in the 88th minute to reduce his side’s deficit to one.
The game started with the home team making two important changes to its lineup. Starting for the first time was the 19-year-old Smith alongside Peter Byers as the two strikers up front. St. Kitts International Orlando Mitchum, after an impressive cameo against the same opposition two nights ago, was given the opportunity to start in preference to Gayson Gregory.
Those changes proved to be inspired as both players proved to provide tremendous impact on the overall play of the team.
No-one could have envisioned, though, the error that Molvin James was about to unravel on the team and the fans. A simple back pass that required clearing downfield was dramatically turned into a lesson in what not to do as the last line of defence. It resulted in an embarrassing moment for the player as the crowd let him know exactly how they felt.
But Antigua’s response was swift and decisive. The pace, power and combination of Byers and Smith was too much for the Sevilla FC defence and in quick succession succumbed to first a looping header from Smith quickly followed by a strike from 12 yards out. Finally the Barracuda was living up to the fight expected of it.
The second half saw Sevilla demonstrating more desire in search of an equalizer. Play did settle down with a number of chances going to the home team. It was Byers’ ability to hold off and run past defenders with decisive twists and turns that led to the winner, eventually scored by Gregory, whose timely arrival perhaps saved Byers some blushes, as he forced the ball into the back of the net.
Sevilla FC has shown throughout their ability to score out of nothing and a poor pass, the first indiscretion of note by the Barracuda FC defence resulted in the Sevilla response.
Despite the late lapse, Antigua coach Tom Curtis was quite pleased with the victory.
“We deserved it,” Curtis said. “The players really worked hard and I am so proud of their efforts.”
Sevilla captain Erik Hort was disappointed not to take something away from the second game between the two teams in three days, but was focused on his side’s next opponent.
“It’s tough playing these consecutive games,” Hort said, “we are a tired bunch but we go home to face PR United, we will be ready for that.”
Antigua Barracuda FC now faces a three-game road trip with their confidence high to take on tough opposition in Puerto Rico and Los Angeles.