AC Port of Spain settle for 1-1 draw vs Grenades FC

A WASTEFUL AC Port of Spain could only muster a 1-1 draw against Antiguan club Grenades FC in the 2024 Concacaf Caribbean Cup match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on September 17.

AC created chances throughout the contest but did not capitalise.

The TT Premier League club are still without a victory after drawing and losing their previous two matches. AC are now in danger of not advancing to the knockout phase. Shackiel Henry’s first-half goal for AC was not enough, as Sean Tomlinson equalised in second-half stoppage time.

AC started on the front foot and came inches away from taking the lead in the tenth minute. John-Paul Rochford first played a no-look pass to Jameel Neptune.

Neptune controlled the ball and dribbled past a defender before passing to Sedale Mc Lean, whose effort struck the post.

Mc Lean was at the heart of many attacks by AC. In the 15th minute, he forced a top save from Grenades goalkeeper Zaieem Scott.

In the 21st minute, AC were rewarded. Mc Lean and Scott got to the ball at the same time, before the ball fell kindly to Henry who scored into the open net.

As the match approached the 30th-minute mark, Grenades had a strong spell of possession.

Against the run of play though, Mc Lean had another

golden opportunity to score his first goal. After receiving a through ball he beat two defenders, but Scott made the save to keep the score 1-0.

It was constant pressure by AC on the Grenades’ goal.

Grenades did not have chances. They came close to scoring with a free kick in the 40th minute, but the score remained 1-0 at half-time.

In the 53rd minute, Grenades captain Quinton Griffith missed a penalty as AC goalie Marvin Phillip made the save to his right as the Port of Spain club stayed in front.

Scott continued to pull off spectacular saves to prevent AC from going further in front.

Just as Phillip did minutes earlier, Scott also saved a penalty as he denied AC skipper Duane Muckette from converting a spot kick in the 60th.

The second half was a similar script to the first half as AC controlled the passage of play with no reward. The passes were slick, but the finishing was nothing to write home about as with 15 minutes left it was still 1-0.

In the 85th minute, substitute Tomlinson had a chance to equalise, but a brave Phillip charged off his line to make the save. Phillip injured himself which led to a lengthy stoppage.

In stoppage time, Tomlinson headed home to equalise for Grenades and leave AC still without a win.