Posted on August 13, 2012
It hasn’t been a memorable USL PRO season for Antigua Barracuda FC, but the Caribbean team did make life tough for the Los Angeles Blues this past week.
Antigua (4-17-1, 13 points) recorded a 2-1 victory over their foes on Thursday before dropping a 1-0 decision in Los Angeles on Saturday.
In Thursday’s encounter Orlando Mitchum and Kerry Skepple scored second-half goals to give Antigua its first win since July 1 against the Charleston Battery.
The Blues (9-11-2, 29) had the better of the first half, with Matt Fondy going close to giving his side the lead as he broke into the right side of the penalty area, but his was saved by goalkeeper Molvin James. Los Angeles broke through in the 34th minute, however, as a quick move down the right side released former Cuban international Maykel Galindo. Galindo’s low cross was finished at close range by Max Griffin for his third goal since joining LA.
Griffin almost added to the lead in the 55th minute as a sweeping cross from the left by Josh Suggs curled toward the top of the six-yard area, but the on-loan Orlando City striker was unable to put a shot on target. Two minutes later, Antigua capitalized on some good fortune as an attempted clearance by the Blues deflected off the referee and to Antigua’s Lawson Robinson, who fed Mitchum in on the right side of the penalty area to rifle a low shot into the left corner of the net.
Los Angeles pushed forward to try and regain its lead, but it was the Barracudas who scored in the 85th minute as a cross by Mitchum was bundled into the back of the net by Skepple from close range. Tamarley Thomas had a chance to ice the game for Antigua in the 89th minute, but shot wide on a counterattack.
On Saturday, Griffin’s first-half goal lifted the Blues to victory, keeping their hopes alive for the playoffs. It was Griffin’s fourth since he joined the Blues on loan from Orlando City.
The Blues looked to use Galindo down the left side for much of the first half as Antigua was content to sit back defensively and try to hit on the counterattack. The Barracudas frustrated the Blues well defensively with their numbers in the penalty area, but Los Angeles took the lead late in first-half stoppage time as Griffin flicked home Galindo’s cross.
Los Angeles looked to add to its lead in the second half, but Antigua got the best chance to score as it was awarded a penalty kick after Allan Russel brought down Tamarley Thomas in the area. Quinton Griffith took the shot, but goalkeeper Jose Miranda saved well to his right, turning Griffith’s shot away for a corner kick.
The Barracudas return home to close out their season as the Richmond Kickers visit Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Friday and Sunday nights.
Categories: Antigua and Barbuda, Caribbean, Cuba
Tags: Allan Russel, Antigua Barracuda FC, Jose Miranda, Kerry Skepple, Los Angeles Blues, Max Griffin, Maykel Galindo, Molvin James, Orlando City, Orlando Mitchum, Tamarley Thomas, USL PRO
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