ST. JOHN’S, Antigua — A decisive header from Jamaican international Christopher Harvey in the 60th minute and a close range strike from Stefan Smith in the 77th minute was enough to secure a 2-0 victory and the three points for Antigua Barracuda FC against River Plate Puerto Rico on Friday, consolidating their position as leaders of the USL PRO International Division and giving the side its fifth consecutive victory.

“I am happy with my performance tonight,” Harvey said. “I still believe I can do better so you can look forward to much more from me.”
The game started under cloudless skies and for large periods of the first half, the home team pressed and hurried the visitors preventing their usual smooth silky passes and any time to negotiate and exploit any weaknesses in the ‘Cudas defense.

As the game continued though the influence of Peter Villegas, captain and engineer of almost every attack initiated by River Plate PR, became more influential. On the other hand, the power and pace of Peter Byers and Smith, along with the individual skill of Tamarley Thomas and Orlando Mitchum, provided their share of concerns for the visitor’s defence.

The first real opportunity for the visitors fell to Villegas who should have done better when he beat the offside trap only for goalkeeper Keita DeCastro to make an important save.

Minutes later, Byers was put through and much to the dismay of the home crowd kicked wide to maintain his scoreless record at home.
The second half saw the visitors adapt a more direct approach that presented some problems for the Barracuda defence but the discipline of the team prevailed.

“We worked really hard out there tonight,” Antigua coach Tom Curtis said. “They are a good team but we wore them down tonight and we had two good goals from Chris (Harvey) and Tommy (Smith).”

Smith recorded his fourth goal for the ‘Cudas and his second in as many matches was happy to put the game away and secure his team’s position at the top of the table.

“After our long road trip it’s really nice to secure this victory in front of our fans,” Smith said. “They deserve it and we hope to make it six straight on Sunday night.”

With another game scheduled for Sunday night and the bench of the visitors extremely short they must be carrying a few concerns going into the next few days. Meanwhile a rampant and buoyant Barracuda FC can look forward to further enhance their stock as front leaders as they carry the fight for club and country.

TWO LATE GOALS DEFEAT SYRIAC WITH DWAYNE MILLER

KALMAR – Daniel Mendes and Ricardo Santos scored late goals to give Kalmar the win over Syriac FC in round 6th
The Kalmar striker Mendes scored in the 83rd minute, with the newly substitute Santos Adding his team’s second on the stroke of full-time to leave the Suryoye stunned.

Kalmar first chance came into the ninth minute, when Henry Rydström volleyed went straight at Dwayne Miller In The Syriac FC goal.
In the 35 minute Daniel Mendes was served free and was all alone with Miller but the custodians craft won him the ball as a penalty appeal was turned down.

Syriac FC suffered a set-back with seven minutes remaining when in the 83rd and 90th minutes two deflected shots defeated Miller and Syrianska FC.

KAVIN BRYAN SCORES TO HELP SLNA WIN 2-1 IN HONG KONG!

Ten man SLNA FC defeated TSW Pegasus of Hong Kong 3-2.

SLNA went behind after the TSW striker was brought down in the penalty box, he then converted from the spot. Andre Fagan was play through by a splitting pass from his defender Fagan was brought down by the keeper in the box.

Nhu Thuat Phan then converted from the spot, which brought the score leveled at half time.

Kavin Bryan replaced Fagan in the 65 minute, only to see his team go behind 2-1.

Bryan in the 83rd min collected a ball on the right side outside the box, turned his marker inside out 3 times, then curled beautifully, a left footed shot to the far post which beat a fully outstretched goalkeeper and drew the game leveled.

In time added on SLNA got the winner from an overhead pass which ended up with a TSW player, Bryan won possession on the top of the 18 yard box, played a one-two with Trong Hoang, who was brought down on the edge of the box..

Hoang Thinh Ngo scored the freekick which sealed the victory for SLNA.

*TONIGHT IN TORONTO FC, Dicoy Williams faces off against Lovel Palmer as TFC plays Houston Dynamo.