Reggae Boy Omar Cumming about to turn on his markers in a crucial world Cup Qualifier between Jamaica and Honduras at the National Stadium

GEORGETOWN, Cayman Islands - The Reggae Boyz yesterday recorded their second successive victory on the Cayman Islands on Sunday with a 2-0 win over a combative Cayman Islands national team.

Yesterday’s win followed a 6-1 whipping of a Cayman Islands All-Stars team on Wednesday. Powering the Reggae boys to victory were strikes by Omar Cummings, his first for Jamaica in the 42nd minute and substitute Roland Dean in the 58th.

The visitors had a much tougher time on Sunday than they did on Wednesday as they came up on a very organized Cayman Islands team. Head coach Carl Brown crowded the midfield and restricted the mobility of the Reggae Boyz who got very little space with and time on the ball. The visitors were also greeted with some physical play with midfielder Rodolph Austin and Denzil Watson in particular coming in for some rough treatment.

Despite the close attention paid to them, the Boyz managed to shrug off the stranglehold from time to time. Their first real effort at goal came in the fourth minute when Austin burst through the midfield and drove a solid right-footer just wide of the mark. Four minutes later Austin was at it again when Jermaine Hue was cut down just outside the 18-yard box. Austin’s drive at goal was blocked.

Omar Cummings showed his predatory nature two minute later when he stole in behind the defense and lobbed goalkeeper Jermaine Brown only to see the ball strike the right upright and rebound into play for the defense to clear. Jamaica continued to push forward when could work from the little right wingback Eric Vernan crossed inside the 18-yard box for Hue. With then ball coming more to his right foot, Hue delayed before back-heeling for Ricardo Cousins who muffed his shot.

The Caymanians continued to defend stoutly as they used strong challenges with Horace Nelson in particular, to keep the Jamaicans at bay. Lance Laing, who minutes earlier was felled by Nelson, escaped his attention and crossed for Watson who stooped to head on goal. His effort just shaved the crossbar.

Cousins who took his time get into the game started coming to life and had a solid strike save by goalkeeper Brown. That was just a taste of what was to come later.

Jermaine Taylor, casting aside his defensive responsibilities, showing good ball skills ventured down the left flank and crossed inside for Cousins who acrobatically volleyed just high. That gave the largely Jamaican crowd much pleasure.

The voices of the Jamaican supporters would drown out all others soon after as Cummings opened the scoring. The goal resulted from a lovely move deep inside the Jamaican half with central defender Taylor feeding Austin who had drifted into defense. Austin in turn found Cousins in the centre of midfield. Cousins raking pass down the right found Vernan who bolted forward and crossed perfectly for Cummings to head home.

Hue could have added a second before half time but goalkeeper Brown did well to beat away a well-struck free-kick from the right of the 18-yard box at his near post.

The second half saw both teams ringing the changes without much success until Dean received a defense-splitting pass and managed to clinically finish.

The complexion of the game could have changed had Calvin Jefford had an opportunity to equalize within the first five minutes of the resumption but was unable to take it.

JAMAICA - 13 Shawn Sawyers, 4 Jermaine Taylor, 6 Keniel Moodie, 8 Eric Vernan (Desmond Breakenridge), 5 Lance Laing, 21 Rodolph Austin, 12 Ricardo Cousins, 9 Nicholy Finlayson (Evan Taylor), 10 Jermaine Hue (Andre Campbell), 2 Omar Cummings and 11 Denzil Watson (Roland Dean).

Subs- 1 Dawyne Miller, 19 Adrian Reid, 20 Desmond Breakenridge, 3 Andre Darby, 14 Andre Darby, 16 Roland Dean, 15 Marcekino Blackburn, 18 Jermaine Anderson and 7 Evan Taylor.