FOOTBALL-LEAD T&T nails late win; St Lucia, Saint Martin post big wins

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago left it late before edging Curaçao, while St Lucia and Saint Martin produced thumping victories in the CONCACAF Nations League on Thursday.

Playing at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain in Group A of League A, teenaged debutant Nathaniel George scored in the 87th minute as T&T rode their luck in the first half before improving in the second half to come away with the win.

Goalkeeper Denzil Smith was called into action to preserve the lead just moments later, denying a one-on-one attempt from Jearl Margaritha.

In League B, St Lucia smashed Sint Maarten 5-1 thanks to a hat-trick from in-form England-based forward Dominic Poleon.

Playing in Group A at the Stadion Rignaal “Jean” Francisca in Willemstad, the 30-year-old scored in the 45th, 48th, and 89th minutes as the visitors completed a comfortable romp.

Poleon, who had already scored seven goals from the first five matches of the National League, opened the scoring just before the break when he converted Gregson President’s cross to give St Lucia a 1-0 lead at the break.

He added a second three minutes following the resumption before Sweden-based Chovanie Amatkarijo pulled one back for the hosts with a brilliant free-kick, giving goalkeeper Vino Barclett little chance.

From there on, it was all St Lucia; however, Lincoln City winger Reeco Hackett-Fairchild added a third in the 57th, Ridel Stanislas stretching the lead with a 75th and Poleon completing his hat-trick near the end after being set up by Leaus Henville.

In The Valley, Saint Martin put hosts Anguilla to the sword with a dominant 6-0 victory, thanks to Axel Raga, who banged in four goals in a superb display at the Raymond E. Guishard Technical Centre.

The 26-year-old scored in the sixth, 32nd, 38th, and 40th, as Saint Martin raced to a 5-0 lead at the break in the Group A contest of League C.

In Group B of League C, the US Virgin Island drew with the Cayman Islands 2-2, while in Group A of League B, St Kitts and Nevis went down 2-1 to Guadeloupe at home in Basseterre.