A 90th-minute error from Antigua Barracuda FC goalkeeper Molvin James gifted the visiting Rochester Rhinos a point and denied the home team a victory to end a three-game losing streak with Sunday night’s game at the Sticky Wicket Stadium ending in a 2-2 draw. Rhinos goalkeeper Neal Kitson got credit for the goal, which slipped through the unchallenged grasp of James and gifted a point to the visitors.
A decisive header in the second minute by Jamaican international Christopher Harvey set the stage for what appeared to be a good night for the home team. Antigua carried its 1-0 lead to halftime, and there was little indication that the visiting Rhinos would respond the way they did after the interval.
The Rhinos tied the game in the 63rd minute when Tony Donatelli headed home unmarked at the far post. The dominance of the Rochester Rhinos continued for much of the second half with the home team restricted to fast breaks and long balls in to the box which were successfully handled by the Rhinos defence.
It was a breakaway goal in the 71st minute that brought raptures of joy for the home supporters after Ranjae Christian’s intelligent run and cross found Randolph Burton who calmly slotted home for the go-ahead goal. The goal was Burton’s second goal in as many matches.
But it was the colossal error of custodian Molvin James that most will remember. A long hopeful ball in the dying seconds of the game by Rhinos Goalkeeper Neal Kitson found its way past James and into the back of the net to allow the Rhinos to take four points from their two games against the Barracuda.
“We recovered well after our disappointing first half display on Friday night and we deserved more from the game tonight,” Barracuda coach Tom Curtis said. “When mistakes are made at this level you get punished and we made too many. We will take the positives from this experience, remember we are a young team playing against teams that have been professional for a number of years, but we’ve got to pick up the pieces and keep fighting.”
Goal keeper Neal Kitson was pleased to come out of the road trip with four of the possible six points.
“We were a little fortunate tonight but we will take that on the road,” Kitson said. “I was really just hoping to get the ball in a good area to give the strikers a chance but things went a little better than that. I am happy I could help the team.”
The ’Cudas will next face Orlando City on Friday night at the Florida Citrus Bowl at 7:35 p.m.
Reggae Boyz kick-off Gold Cup against Grenada tonight at 8pm:
Dicoy Williams at Central Defense and Winger, Luton Shelton are HVFC former players to start in Gold Cup tonight, as Defensive Midfielder and current Captain, Richard Edwards along with Goalkeeper, Dwayne Miller are on the bench as Substitutes.
HVFC U21 Striker Ranique Muir departs:
Ranique Muir departs for Kraze FC, Orlando at 4:05pm but his connecting flight is delayed until 6:25am tomorrow morning as the airline takes full responsibility for Hotel, Meals and Transportation in Fort Lauderdale.