MIAMI. - Tiquanny Williams shined with a hat-trick to deliver a victory for Saint Kitts and Nevis, as the 2023–24 Concacaf Nations League resumed with two Group A matches in League B on Thursday.
Saint Lucia edged Guadeloupe as the top two teams in the group faced off. After three games, Saint Lucia maintains the pole position for promotion with Guadeloupe, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Sint Maarten rounding out the group in that order.
Sint Maarten vs. Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis won 3-2 against Sint Maarten at the Raymond E. Guishard Stadium in The Valley, Anguilla.
Tiquanny Williams opened the scoring in the 16’ with a difficult strike off the edge of the left post.
Gerwin Lake responded for the hosts with a thunderous strike inside the box in the 19’. Center back Sergio Hughes found Lake on the right flank with an accurate long ball and the striker did the rest.
Williams retook the lead for the visitors, 2-1, in the 48’ after pouncing on a rebounding ball off the crossbar to hit a left-foot strike into the net.
Sint Maarten nearly equalized in the 67’ but was denied on a goal-line clearance followed by a Chovanie Amatkarijo attempt bouncing off the right post.
Williams completed his hat-trick in the 68’ as Saint Kitts and Nevis used a quick counter attack to extend its lead.
Imar Kort took one back for Sint Maarten in the 79’ after GK Julani Archibald could not contain a potent shot from and Amatkarijo free kick.
The visitors withstood the late Sint Maarten rally to gain its first victory of the campaign. The two will meet again in three days as Saint Kitts and Nevis will look to repeat the result on its home turf.
Saint Lucia vs. Guadeloupe
Saint Lucia kept their perfect record with a 2-1 win over Guadeloupe at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia.
Jerome Roussillon put the visitors in the lead in the 29’ after connecting on a long pass from Andreaw Gravillon. Roussillon brought the ball down inside the box with his left before striking with his right.
Caniggia Elva tied the encounter 1-1 in the 45’ as Saint Lucia pushed for the equalizer prior to halftime. Janoi Donacien propelled the play forward before passing to Elva inside the box.
Gregson President was denied on a breakaway in the 55’ as Davy Royard was there to block as the last line of defense. Rouyard had another save just one minute later to keep the score level.
Jevick Mac Farlane put the home side in front 2-1 in the 58’ with right-footed shot into goal. Elva provided the through ball as Saint Lucia completed an attack through the left flank.
Second half substitutes Kilian Bevis and Vikash Tille nearly connected for the tying goal in the 89’, but GK Vino Barclett provided the safe hands to intercept Tille’s header.
