Antigua Barracuda FC News Release -- www.antiguabarracudafc.com
Friday, July 8, 2011
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua -- A 69th-minute goal from Wilmington Hammerheads midfielder Luke Mulholland stretched Antigua Barracuda FC’s losing streak to five games at the Sticky Wicket Stadium on Friday night in Antigua as the Hammerheads took a 1-0 victory. It was another poor display by the home team who seem to have lost their rhythm and rhyme at a time when most needed, as they seek to push on for a place in the USL PRO playoffs.
The Hammerheads, although not the most potent of attacking force, possessed the efficiency to hold firm in defense and just do enough in other areas of the field, to stave off any threat by the home team. Goalie Kyle Polak led from the front with a number of important saves.
The first half was a lacklustre affair with both teams finding it difficult to pass consistently well over the lush green surface, opting instead to take the aerial route with little or no effect. The home team seemed to adapt a more aggressive stance in playing a higher line of defense but lacked the creativity to force open the Hammerheads back line.
The best chance of the half fell to Randolph Burton who was gifted a one-on-one chance when defender Gareth Evans failed to control effectively. Burton, with three goals in his last seven appearances, raced in on goal only to finish poorly, allowing Polak to save low to his left.
Both teams stuck with the same line-ups at the start of the second half and although the home team seemed more determined to offer a better showing, their performance lacked the cutting edge required, particularly in the final third of the field, to cause the visitors any undue worry.
On the other hand, the visitors, with a shallow bench and an unwillingness to really force the issue, prepared for that important moment and took their opportunity as the static Antigua defense watched helplessly as a low ball was allowed to run right across the box and for Mulholland to drive home.
The home team huffed and puffed for the remainder of the game to little effect, but the Hammerheads defended in numbers and closed the door shut on any possible comeback.
Barracuda FC now face the possibility of losing six straight as they sink deeper in the red zone, bruised, battered and bewildered as they seek to stop this slide in fortune and form to the wrong end of the table. Sunday’s return match against this same Hammerheads side, who jumped over Antigua with their victory, for sure will be do or die.