Antigua Barracuda FC News Release -- www.antiguabarracudafc.com
Friday, June 3, 2011
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua -- Defensive errors in the 20th and 33rd minutes gifted the visiting Rochester Rhinos three valuable points as they stunned the Antigua Barracuda FC’s support into a silence at the Sticky Wicket Stadium with a 2-1 victory on Friday night. The ’Cudas responded in the 55th minute of play but it was all too late and the small crowd left disappointed.
Under clear conditions in front of a small but expectant crowd, the Barracuda FC went into this game determined to exact revenge on the visiting Rhinos who defeated the ’Cudas in their previous encounter.
Both teams were quite content to feel each other out and employed the use of long balls into the box with pressure to force errors. In the 20th minute, a long ball over the top found the Barracuda defense wanting and the physical presence of Andrew Hoxie was enough to steal the ball from Karanja Mack and slip the ball through the legs of advancing Barracuda FC goalkeeper Molvin James.
The predatory instincts of Hoxie were again evident 13 minutes later when he pounced on a uncharacteristic error by Barracuda FC captain George Dublin, who completely miskicked and allowed the impressive Rhino to complete his brace.
For the Barracuda FC the end of the first half could not come fast enough. But the Rhinos came out in the second seemingly determined to sit back and absorb the pressure of the local team. Barracuda FC accepted the challenge and responded with an impressive array of passing and moving that eventually led to the breakthrough in the 55th minute after Randolph Burton dribbled his way pass a static Rhino defence to stab home.
A series of attacks followed as the tired legs of the visitors, clearly struggling to maintain their physical presence, wilted in the tropical conditions. To the credit of the Rhinos, they held on for dear life and to the all-important three points to secure the victory.
“We will be disappointed with our first half display and the soft goals we gave away, but the team we saw in the second half was the Barracuda FC that we have accustomed too," Antigua coach Tom Curtis said. "We will take that into our game on Sunday, and I can tell you we are confident we can overturn this result.”
But Hoxie was glad his side was able to earn all three points on the road.
“I am happy we were able to hold on to this win," Hoxie said. "Antigua is a good team and we were getting really tired out there. We are not quite accustomed to the weather but we are happy to get all the points.”