Late Bailey penalty earns draw for ReggaeBoyz against St Vincent in Gold Cup qualifer
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Leon Bailey scored a penalty with the last kick of the game, deep in time added, to rescue a 1-1 draw for Jamaica in the first game of their Concacaf Gold Cup qualifying game against St Vincent and the Grenadines at Arnos Vale on Friday.
The return round game will be played on Tuesday at Sabina Park in Kingston.
Minnows St Vincent and the Grenadines appeared well on their way to a historic win over the second- ranked ReggaeBoyz before Tristan Marshall hacked down Warner Brown from behind inside the penalty area.
Oalex Anderson had the Vincentians hoping for a massive upset after he gave them the lead in the 65th minute, dribbling the entire length of the Jamaican half after a turn over to beat goalkeeper Andre Blake from close range.
Jamaica wasted a handful of chances in the first half and thought they had taken the lead mid- way the second half when Dexter Lembikisa beat goal keeper Lemus Christopher with a shot from outside the area, but it was ruled out as Bailey had blocked the custodian.
Christopher had an outstanding game for the home team, making a series of outstanding saves that kept them in the game.
– Paul Reid