Unbeaten 11 game streak comes to an end as Orlando lose to Antigua
A crowd of 5,934 saw Orlando’s unbeaten 11 game streak come to an end as opponents Antigua punished Orlando for not taking their chances. The 2-1 scoreline somewhat flattered the visitors as Orlando had 19 goal attempts to Antigua’s 9 but it’s goals that matter and after an unexciting first half, things really came to the boil in the second.
The first half saw Orlando make 7 attempts on goal while Antigua relied on catching their opponents on the break with their 4 attempts all coming from loose possession and mistakes from Orlando players. The main culprit for Orlando was forward Max Griffin who wasted 3 first half attempts (not to mention 2 more in the second period), the most stunning of all, a one on one with the keeper when he stumbled over the ball.
The second half started well for Antigua though, as they took the lead on the 48th minute as a Quinton Griffith free kick was turned home by Barracuda striker Stefan Smith. Worse was to follow for City as on the 54 minute mark, Antigua striker Randolph Burton found himself in the clear and he found the net with a cool finish past Orlando’s helpless keeper Miguel Gallardo to make it 2-0.
Orlando responded and began to play better being rewarded on 59th minute as Griffin finally found the net with a tap in to make the score 1-2. Orlando then had the better of the play and went close as both Lewis Neal and Jamie Watson blazed over the bar when a calmer finish was needed.
The 70th minute saw the game explode as both sets of players ended up in a huge melee as City defender Roa Valentino was hacked down from behind by Lawson Robinson. Valentino didn’t take too kindly to that and pushed Robinson who promptly threw a punch back. Both sets of players then rushed in to scrap it out with each other with the end result being red cards to Antigua’s Lawson Robinson (pictured above left) and substitute Akeem Thomas who inexplicably raced onto the pitch to join in the fun. Orlando’s Valentino (pictured above right) also saw red and that effectively made the game a 10 player a side affair.
Orlando then pushed for an equaliser and again squandered numerous chances and despite over six minutes of extra time at the end of the second period, they just couldn’t find a way through the Antigua defence. Overall, City can only blame themselves for losing this game. They were undoubtedly the better team but you simply can’t afford to waste chances at this or any other level. There’s much for Coach Adrian Heath to ponder on after this defeat but he can take heart from the fact that Orlando did create numerous chances.
More pictures here: Orlando v Antigua
Here’s some video:
