Philip strikes late for Antigua & Barbuda winner vs Barbados

CITY GROS, Islet. - A stoppage-time goal from Shavorn Philip lifted Antigua and Barbuda to a 1-0 victory over Barbados on Thursday night at Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia in the first game of League B of Group A of the Concacaf Nations League.

While the game was scoreless for 90 minutes, it was hardly devoid of scoring opportunities for both teams.

While neither team was able to break the deadlock, both certainly had plenty of chances in a flowing game that saw good attacks on both ends. Antigua and Barbuda GK Nick Townsend ended the night with four saves, while Barbados counterpart Kishmar Primus was credited with the same number.

One of Primus’ biggest stops came when Antigua and Barbuda FW Junior Benjamin was in on goal in the 42nd minute but saw his right-footed shot saved by Primus, who got down and made a stop with his legs.

In the second half, chances continued to come, with Barbados FW Tajio James missing a chance near the hour mark, shooting wide, while Townsend had work to do as well in the 83rd minute, stopping a point-blank effort from Niall Reid-Stephen.

That was quickly followed in the 86th minute when Townsend had to lay out to stop DF Andre Applewhaite from finding a winner as the fullback dashed through.

In the 89th minute, it once again was Primus’ turn to save a chance, as Antigua and Barbuda MF Thomas James Bramble had a header on goal, but the sliding goalkeeper used his feet to send the ball out of danger.

The winning score came when substitute Ashley Nathaniel George ran onto a ball that had been flicked forward by a teammate and looked to find someone in the box. His cross was deflected, but Philip finished it off to change what looked like a scoreless draw into a win for the Benna Boys.

The teams return to action June 5, with Barbados traveling to Cuba and Antigua and Barbuda hosting Guadeloupe.