Grenada and Martinique played out to draw

Stade Municipal Rene Serge Nabajoth, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe: Group F favourites, Martinique, survived a scare from the spice islanders of Grenada; coming from behind twice, as the first match of Stage 2 in the Digicel Caribbean Championships played out to a tense 2-2 draw. Not so fresh from playing a tournament in France just a week prior to returning to the Digicel Caribbean Championships, Martinique looked a shadow of themselves in the opening exchanges of this fixture. In fact it was Grenada that were first to settle and began their attack straight from kickoff as Kithson Bain fired off a warning shot directly at Eddy Heurlie in Martinique's goal. From the offset it was clear that both teams had contrasting styles, as the fluid passing football of Martinique was cancelled out by the physicality and directness of Grenada's play. That directness paid off in minute 15 when Shane Rennie took advantage of a defensive lapse when he was allowed to run into the box unchallenged and slotted home coolly to the right of the keeper to open the scoring for the Spice Boyz. Martinique responded with their best chance of the half so far when a poor backward header from Joan Deluge almost sank his own keeper; as Eric Sabin stole in but couldn't find the net after lobbing it over the advancing Desmond. Martinique would have to wait until minute 32 before they could offer their first shot on goal, but fortunately for the French islanders it was a thing of beauty, as centre forward Eric Sabin powered home a splendid shot from just inside the 18yd box, that crashed off the underside of the bar and settled into the net, to level the score at one apiece and perhaps restore some belief to the Martinicans. That belief was on display when Noel Desmond was called upon with a dramatic dive to deny Martinique captain Patrick Percin's right-footed strike. That play introduced a wild finish to the half that saw two goal scoring opportunities denied, one at either end. Firstly a non call for a handball in the box by Marc Marshall of Grenada, and then a dubious offside flag as Shane Rennie found the net for a second time in the half. Rennie would not be denied however, and added a legitimate brace when he scored what is surely a nominee for goal of the tournament. After mayhem in the box, with Martinique unable to clear the danger, and the keeper stranded off his line, Rennie would rotate in midair to meet the cross with a bicycle kick that sizzled as it settled into the net from 10 yards out. The score: 2-1 in favour of Grenada at the break. The second half saw a marked improvement in Martinique, as they started the second 45 with gusto. A slick passing move involving four Martinicans along the flank, saw Percin's eventual shot cleared off the line. At the other end Rennie was holding up his end of the bargain, as he searched for his hatrick, and was unlucky to get it when his stellar shot, seemingly headed for the top corner, was matched by the keeper who pushed over the bar. In minute 53, Martinique's persistence paid off, as former Bordeaux standout Steeve Gustan's drive to the goal line and inch perfect cross was turned into the net by a well positioned Eric Sabin, for his second of the night and Martinique's as well. With the score now tied at two apiece, having come from behind twice, the pendulum of power had swung in favour of the French department. But despite their improved possession and increased opportunities on goal, especially from Martinique's hattrick hunter, who headed high no less than three more times, the score line simply wouldn't budge. On the balance though, neither team could feel too disappointed about the result, with Grenada's first half dominance and Martinique's strong finish; a draw seemed the fairest result. Not least of all to hosts Guadeloupe, who delighted in seeing their nearest neighbours drop points in the opening fixture of Group F in the Digicel Caribbean Championships' Stage 2. Grenada: 11. Anthony Modeste, 14. Marvin Frederick, 17. Nickson Baptiste, (18. Henson Cuffie - min 76), 10. Kithson Bain (27. Junior Paul - min 80), 6. Marc Marshall, 30. Desmond Noel, 25. Shane Rennie, 9. Ricky Charles, 4. Cassim Tangaigne, 13. Dwayne Leo, 23. Junior Williams Subs: 5. Devon Roberts, 3. Shanon Phillip, 19. Kimron Redhead,1. Peter Jules Martinique: 24. Eddie Heurlie, 6. Joan Deluge, 12. Stephane Suedile, 17. Yannick Ancarno, (15. March Henry Codasse - min 50), 4. Daniel Herelle, 5. Patrick Percin, 9. Eric Sabin, 13. Kevin Parsemain (11. Louis Augustin Saint - min 77) 8. Rodrique Audel, 7. Steeve Gustan, 18. Xavier Bullet Subs: 1. A Hughes Des Etages, 3. Miguel Smeralda, 20. Arnold Polomat, 14. Jean Michel Michaud, 10. Michael Chosrova Source: DIGICEL