St. Kitts and Nevis draw first blood in CFU Women’s Challenge Series

St. Kitts and Nevis started off the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women’s Challenge Series on a high note with a 1-0 win versus Dominica on Wednesday night. The Federation is hosting Group A of the Challenge Series comprising Dominica, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and Grenadines. Scoring the lone goal for the home side was Britney Lawrence in the 68th minute. The home fans seemed pleased with the attractive and free flowing attacking football from the Sugar Girls who were constantly pressing the Dominicans, adding pressure to their defense. Whenever Dominica were on the attack, the St. Kitts Nevis defenders snuffed out the threats and their defensive pace kept the visiting forwards in check. Earl Jones, coach of the women’s team said his team won because of their game plan, which was to play attacking football. He also remarked that the girls wanted to impress the home fans, as this was the first time the women’s team was playing in front of a home crowd at the Warner Park.
“We stuck to our game plan. Nothing else could happen but a win. Dominica came out in the first half but they really couldn’t stop the fire power,” Coach Jones said. “This is the first time that the national senior players are playing at home and they said to me earlier, ‘coach, we are going to wow the crowd,’” he added.
Dominica’s Coach Rajesh Latchoo commended his team’s efforts and lauded the St. Kitts and Nevis team as the better side. “I think we played a better team; that’s basically how it was. We basically started to train 33 days ago after Hurricane Maria. The girls gave everything that they have. I am pleased with the efforts of the girls, but we knew coming into the tournament, the girls were not 90 minutes fit…credit to the St. Kitts team,” Coach Latchoo said.
Prior to the home side’s win, St. Vincent and the Grenadines went down to St. Lucia 1-0. Ellaise Marquis scored the winning goal just after halftime in the 48th minute for St. Lucia. The Group A CFU Women’s Challenge Series continue on Friday night at the Warner Park.