Jamaica’s under 20 reggae girls led by a triple strike from Marlee Fray put in a workmanlike performance to secure a come from behind 4-all draw with Guatemala.
This in their opening game at the Concacaf under 20 Women’s Championship in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic earlier this afternoon.
Following a sluggish start and trailing three nil at half time the reggae girls rebounded well in the second period, where they played much more purposeful to walk away with a point.
The little lioness Jody Brown was the first to roar, after cutting inside the box to slam the ball pass the Guatemalan goal keeper Ashley Avalos to make it 3-1 in the 50th minute, then 4 minutes later the one two combo from Neville Gayle Able and Gabrielle Gayle worked to good effect as Gayle’s square was picked up in the box by an onrushing striker Marlee Fray who made no mistake.
With the score at 3-2 and the Jamaicans having the advantage , the Central American’s now playing deep and committing fouls after fouls, Chantel Parker found space on the right channel, made a cut back before making a square in the box which was met with a neat header by Fray to make it 3-all in minute 67.
Then all hell broke loose in the second half as Guatemala found themselves in disarray, with shots coming from all directions. As the momentum swung in favour of the Jamaicans and pressure mounted on the Guatemalans, Fray restored order when she scored again to put Jamaica ahead 4-3 in the 76th minute, and with time running out the Jamaicans were caught sleeping at the back and Andrea Alvarez made good an goal keeping error to level the game at 4-all for Guatemala.
Coach Xavier Gilbert place the performance of the reggae girls in perspective.
Xavier Gilbert
In the day’s other game inf group C’ Canada turned back El-Salvador 2-nil.
The Jamaicans will next be in action on Monday where they will tackle El-Salvador.