PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Jan 16, CMC – Nigel Codrington hit a hattrick to spur Guyana to a 4-3 win over Guadeloupe and put them on the brink of a semifinal spot in the Digicel Caribbean Cup last night.
Playing at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Codrington scored his first in the opening half and added two more in the second half, as Guyana recovered from their surprise loss to St Vincent & the Grenadines earlier in the tournament. Howard Lowe was the other goal-scorer for Guyana.
For Guadeloupe, Wilfred Loiseau, Jean-Luc Lambourde and Fabian Raddas found the back of the nets.
Codrington put Guyana ahead from the penalty spot in the 24th minute after a right wing cross by Gregory Richardson was controlled on the chest by Randoloh Jerome only for Guadeloupe defender David Sommeil to bundle him to the ground in an awkward challenge from the back.
Guadeloupe were unlucky not to be level in the 31st minute when Guyana keeper Reynolds had to be at his best to deny Gerald Gavarin but Loiseau then levelled for the French on the brink of halftime.
On resumption, Guadeloupe took the lead in the 54th minute when Lambourde scored after Dominique Mocka’s shot was partially blocked.
Guyana were back on even terms when Codrington fired in his second from the spot in the 60th minute. Gregory Richardson picked up the ball 20 yards out and ran at the French side and the resulting shot was tipped around the post by keeper Grandel.
From the corner, the ball was worked short to Codrington who was brought down by Guadeloupe skipper Alain Vertot.
Guyana, who played unbeaten throughout the preliminary rounds of the competition last year, then grabbed a crucial 3-2 lead six minutes later when Lowe was on target.
Codrington fired in a corner on the right and full back Lowe found himself unmarked in front of goal and made no mistake from five yards out.
Codington virtually put the seal on the game nine minutes from time when he completed his hat-trick with a superb goal. Released by Anthony Abrams, he dribbled through the French defence before unleashing a fabulous shot past the diving goalkeeper.
A tense finish was ensured when Raddas added Guadeloupe’s third from the penalty spot in the 87th minute after being hauled to the ground by Leslie Holligan, but Guyana held on to collect full points.
