Antigua Barracuda FC News Release -- www.antiguabarracudafc.com
Sunday, June 26, 2011
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – A dominant first half performance by the visiting Orlando City Lions was enough to secure a 2-1 victory and condemn Antigua Barracuda FC to its second defeat of the doubleheader weekend at the Sticky Wicket Stadium Sunday evening.
An impressive brace from Lions striker Devorn Jorsling in the 13th and 24th minutes put paid to any serious attempt Barracuda FC harbored to overturn their earlier defeat on Friday at the same venue, but a through ball by Roy Gregory to Ranja Christian converted in the 51st minute past goalie Sean Kelley brought some respectability to the game and the score line.
Under clear skies the home team started convincingly and repeatedly had the visitor’s goal under siege. But just before the quarter hour mark, and against the run of play, Jorsling was allowed to twist and turn in the box and slam a low hard shot pass Barracuda goalkeeper Keita DeCastro. It was clear that the local boys had not learnt their lessons from the previous meeting.
In the 24th minute, Jorsling pounced again to volley home and stun the small crowd. Both goals would cause Head Coach Tom Curtis serious concerns as he looks ahead to tough road trips next week.
“Our first half display was by far our worse of the season,” Curtis said. “Defensively we made some errors that we will work hard to correct in the coming days. We came out and followed the plan from the start, and had good opportunities to take the lead, but we must learn from this experience.”
For the ‘Cudas, Akeeem Thomas replaced Kimorley McDonald in the centre of defense but the frailties of the backline were again exposed leading to the team going into the half with bowed heads and bruised egos.
It was no surprise the approach of adapted by the home team to attempt a rescue act in front of their supporters. The measured attacking stance by the home team provided the first real opportunity of the half, as Gregory slotted a through-ball that split the Lions defense, and allowed Christian to beat the offside trap and slot home past Kelley. This brought some renewed optimism to the local support but credit must be given to the Lions defense as they stood firm to hold off every attack.
“Our second half was much better and caused them enough problems for us to take something away from this game,” Curtis said. “It was really a game of two halves, they took the first and we clearly were the better team in the second half.”
Christian’s goal was his first of the season and he was quite pleased with his own performance although saddened to be on the losing side.
“I was happy to get the nod from Coach Curtis to start tonight, he said, I felt good out there and I was happy to score in front of our fans. I think we played really well in the second half, but this game is over ninety minutes and we must find the consistency to play better over that period,” Christian said.
The Lions extend their lead of USL PRO’s American Division to 10 points, while Barracuda FC will look to rebound on the road next week in New York and Pittsburgh and climb the ladder to secure their playoff position.