Barracuda Down Eagles

Details

Football

Saturday, 28 April 2012 02:30

By Ian Magic Hughes

Antigua St John's - Antigua Barracuda FC held off a strong challenge from the Charlotte Eagles to win 3-2 in the United Soccer League (USL) at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Thursday.

National Golden Boot champion Stephan “Tommy” Smith of Lime Old Road showed why he is still the best shooter in the nation with two goals to lead the 'Cudas.

Peter “Big Pete” Byers put the 'Cudas up in the 12th minute, a header flicked on from a pass from the left side of the goal.

The Eagles responded with some serious pressure which paid dividends nine minutes from intermission.

Jorge Herrera slapped one home past keeper Molvin James from the spot from about 25 yards on the left side, a fantastic spot kick that bent around the post into the left side net.

Both teams came out hunting goals in the second half and had it not being for multiple misses from both teams, this would have been a high scoring affair.

It was an exciting encounter before an appreciative home crowd, despite misses by substitutes Ranjae Christian and Tamarley “Ziggy” Thomas.

Both had great opportunities to place the game out of reach, but failed to convert. 

But Smith showed why he is good at what he does, scoring goals with two strikes five minutes apart in the first 10 minutes after intermission.

Byers beat a defender, ran with the ball for a few yards, drew two more defenders and passed to Smith, who beat keeper Eric Reid from the edge of the 18.

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Both Byers and Smith hooked up five minute later when they caught the Eagles' defence napping following a throw in on the left side outside the box.

Byers threw the ball to Smith in the midst of a sleeping defence, and the man with the Golden Boots did the rest, hitting past Reid to give the 'Cudas a 3-1 lead.

The Eagles did not play dead, but rather looked for an equalizer, which they came very close to getting after Luke Williams pulled a goal back 12 minutes from time.

The visitors should have equalized at the end, but a bad miss left them stranded and the home team with its second win in three encounters.

Coach Tom Curtis was pleased with the team’s performance despite the fact that they missed a number of open chances.

“I think the guys played well,” he said. “Not just us, but the Eagles played some exciting football, and we were fortunate to come out with a victory.”

The coach said the team is improving, and while there is a tough schedule ahead, he believes they are ready for the challenge.

“We have a lot of games to play, including the Caribbean Champions League, but I am pleased with the team progress,” Curtis said.

The 'Cudas take on the Eagles again on Saturday at the same venue before travelling to Legion Stadium in Wilmington North Carolina to play the Hammerheads.

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