Anguilla battle back for draw with Dominica in thriller

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Dominica and Anguilla played to their second consecutive draw
following a 1-1 affair at Warner Park on Sunday afternoon in Group C of League C.

After a scoreless draw a few days ago in Anguilla, it didn’t take long for Dominica to strike in the rematch.

Julian Wade got behind the Anguilla defense and calmly slotted the ball past Anguilla
goalkeeper Danniell Bailey in the fourth minute.

Down a goal early, the Anguillans were forced to abandon the pragmatic game plan that served
them well in their first match.

But they didn’t overextend themselves, either, or settled into the game as the half went on.

Anguilla’s Jonathan Guishard got on the end of a Varian Carty ball over the top in the 39th minute and nearly had the equalizer on a nice turn-around finish, but his effort missed just wide of the near post, and the score remained 1-0 at the break.

The second half began at a breakneck pace. Darryl Longdon nearly doubled the lead in the 52nd minute, but Bailey made a strong save. Mere minutes later, another strike from Longdon’s
left foot missed just inches wide of the post.

At the other end, Kieron Lake had a good rip from long range in the 53rd minute, but it was
punched away by Dominica GK Glenson Prince. Lake then got his own rebound and had another crack but put it high.

It was Guishard who finally found the equalizing goal in the 56th minute, blasting a right-footed effort past Prince from 12 yards out.

Dominica pushed hard for a winner, but the Anguillan defense held firm to earn a second consecutive draw.

The two sides remain deadlocked in the group with two points each.