Martin grabs a beaver-trick as T&T Red Angels thump Dominica 5-0

The T&T Red Angels, ostensibly the Trinidad and Tobaog Women’s National Under-17 Team, set down a marker in the Jewels of the Caribbean Under-20 tournament this afternoon with a 5-0 win over Dominica at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar.

And playmaker Orielle Martin, used at centre forward, shone brightest on the day with a four-goal burst in 27 minutes that settled the one-sided affair.

Earlier in the day, the Jamaica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines under-20 teams played to a 1-1 draw at the same venue. And the visiting outfits might be forgiven for thinking: if this is what the Trinidad and Tobago under-17s can dish out; what are their under-20s like?!

The answer to that silent question would not be so straightforward though.

For starters, Dominica are the lowest ranked team in the competition and the hosts would meet sterner opposition from the other two visiting islands.

Second, Martin, midfielder Cherina Steele, attacker Rasheeda Archer and full back Kanika Rodriguez all have senior international caps for Trinidad and Tobago.

Attacker Nikita Gosine and defender Jasmine McNish will surely join that quartet into the Women Soca Warriors line-up by 2025.

In short, the Red Angels are no ordinary under-17 squad. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

In truth, Jamaica were unlucky to leave the Larry Gomes Stadium field with just one point today. The Reggae Girlz pinned Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in their own half for long periods, with left winger Andrene Smith irrepressible in attack.

But Vincentian custodian G-Reisa Joseph saved a second half penalty from Jamaica midfielder Destiny Powell and, somehow, “Vincey Heat” held on for a share of the spoils.

Joseph’s luck was not to be Dominica’s luck. And, from Martin’s opening item today in the 14th minute, the result already looked beyond doubt.

There was a lot besides the score summary to interest spectators at the Larry Gomes Stadium, though.

There was certainly buzz around Pleasantville Secondary wonder-kid Nikita Gosine, who turned 15 last week and was making her international debut. Could she steal the spotlight from the team’s other prodigy, Martin?

There was also the matter of five overseas-based players in the squad, with four set to wear red, black and white for the first time.

It didn’t take long to realise that any attempt to compare Gosine and Martin would be slightly absurd.

The fact that Martin’s four-goal haul settled the match, partially answered the question. But it goes deeper than that.

Gosine is blessed with quick feet and mobility, can spot a pass, and unload a spanking shot before the average goalkeeper can twitch. Deployed on the right flank, it would be an understatement to say she got the better of opposing defender, Kenya John—Gosine devoured her!

Yet Martin’s innate game awareness, her understanding of what every scenario required, was on a different level to the majority of her teammates.

To use a cricketing analogy, Martin knew how to construct an innings—whether it was by taking a single, or tickling the ball down the leg side, while waiting for the right delivery to hit over the fence.

Martin is still a developing player with plenty to learn herself. But let’s just say there is much to admire in her current range of abilities.

The first 10 minutes belonged to Gosine. In the fifth minute, the attacker released midfielder Rori Gittens with a clever, measured flick that carved open the opposition—only for Gittens to spank her effort off the inside of the post.

A minute later, right back Daniella Paul sent Gosine free down the right flank and, with Martin waiting inside the box, the flanker seemed to splice her cross, which drifted over the bar.

It was the second time that an unmarked Martin waited in vain for a cross from Gosine and she let the recruit know that she was not happy about it.

But there was affection behind the admonishment, as the more experienced Martin went out of her way to encourage and applaud Gosine during the contest.

In the 14th minute, the relationship bore fruit for the first time.

Gosine collected the ball from Steele and worked a one-two with Martin before tearing down the flank and hooking the ball back, deliberately, to Martin.

And Martin’s firm left footed effort squirmed under Dominica goalkeeper Dymond Daniel for Trinidad and Tobago’s opening goal.

The number 10 doubled the hosts’ lead in the 34th minute with a tidy finish, after a ball over the top, as Trinidad and Tobago took a two-goal lead into the interval.

Credit two fine saves from Daniel, off flanker Rasheda Archer and Martin, for ensuring a manageable scoreline at that stage, which still offered the visitors a glimmer of hope.

But Dominica could not play the ball safely past the first wave of Trinidad and Tobago pressure, nor punt it further than the midfield pairing of Gittens and Zyesha Potts.

And even on the rare occasion that the Dominicans got the ball to their very useful centre forward, Le-Myah Forde, she was too isolated to be effective—trapped between a solid defensive pairing of McNish and Hackeemar Goodridge.

Two minutes into the second half (tournament rules mandated 35-minute halves rather than the expected 45 minutes), Martin firmly closed the door to any comeback dreams, as she won a penalty off substitute defender Kellis Shillingford. And then got up to convert it herself for Trinidad and Tobago’s third item—and her hattrick!

Her fourth goal was the best of the lot, as she ghosted past an opponent with a dip of the shoulder before rifling in an attempt that went in off the underside of the bar.

Easy as Sunday afternoon.

Russell had seen enough and withdrew Martin, to preserve her energy for future engagements.

The T&T Red Angels face the T&T White Angels (the Women’s National Under-20 team) next from 4pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium on Tuesday 17 August.

Attacker Allysa Singh, who hails from South Carolina in the United States, replaced Martin and went on to hit the bar twice. Flanker Nilla-Rae Smith, a product of San Antonio, Texas, looked useful on the right flank, while Britain-based goalkeeper Zaira Amey had a clean sheet on debut.

It was two home-grown substitutes who combined for Trinidad and Tobago’s fifth item, though, as pint-sized flanker Jayda Herbert crossed for midfielder T’kayai Dennis, who planted an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net.

Dennis’ strike capped off a pleasing evening for the young women and their supporters in Malabar.

Tomorrow, the T&T White Angels will hope to produce an encore when they face Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from 7pm in the second game of a double header at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

Teams

T&T Red Angels (4-2-3-1): 1.Zaira Aimey (GK) (18.Kenisha Taylor GK 67); 2.Daniella Paul, 4.Hackeemar Goodridge, 3.Jasmine McNish, 15.Kanika Rodriguez (captain); 11.Rori Gittens (16.Madison Campbell 57), 17.Zyesha Potts (8.T’kayai Dennis 36); 9.Nikita Gosine (20.Nilla-Rae Smith 57), 6.Cherina Steele, 7.Rasheda Archer (19.Jayda Herbert 36); 10.Orielle Martin (5.Alyssa Singh 50).

Unused substitute: 13.Taya Williams.

Standbys: 21.Alexia Dolland (GK), 2.Jessica Nesbitt, 12.Natalia Gosine, 14.Cherine Steele, Mikaela Yearwood.

Head coach: Ayana Russell

Dominica (4-3-3): 1.Dymond Daniel (GK) (captain) (12.Zaheer Langford GK 71); 7.Tyesha Lockhart (4.Kellis Shillingford 23), 5.Sherquanna St Rose, 3.Adaiyah Esprit, 2.Kenya John (19.Sarahie Stedman 71); 6.Annik Francis (14.Keean George 62), 11.Eden Lander, 10.Zarieah Pascal (8.Kiamara Felix 62); 15.Timecia Pierre Louis (17.Jazmine Francis 62), 9.Le-Myah Forde, 16.Kiyanna Phillip.

Unused substitute: 22.Amiscia Henry.

Head coach: Rosilia Registe

Referee: Cecile Hinds

Jewels of the Caribbean

(Sunday 15 December)

Jamaica 1 (Alyssa Stephenson 6), St Vincent and the Grenadines 1 (Nasheeka Prescod 35+1) at Larry Gomes Stadium;

T&T Red Angels 5 (Orielle Martin 14, 34, 37 pen, 41, T’kayai Dennis 65), Dominica 0 at Larry Gomes Stadium.

Upcoming fixtures

(Monday 16 December)

Dominica vs Jamaica, 5pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;

T&T White Angels vs St Vincent and the Grenadines, 7pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;

(Tuesday 17 December)

Dominica vs St Vincent and the Grenadines, 2pm, Larry Gomes Stadium;

T&T Red Angels vs T&T White Angels, 4pm, Larry Gomes Stadium;

(Wednesday 18 December)

T&T Red Angels vs St Vincent and the Grenadines, 5pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;

T&T White Angels vs Jamaica, 7pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;

(Thursday 19 December)

Dominica vs T&T White Angels, 2pm, Larry Gomes Stadium;

T&T Red Angels vs Jamaica, 4pm, Larry Gomes Stadium;

(Friday 20 December)

Third place playoff, 3pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;

Championship match, 5pm, Ato Boldon Stadium.