BROOKLYN, New York—Last season’s New York Digicel Caribbean Football Cup runners up St Vincent and the Grenadines failed to make this season’s play-offs when they suffered an embarrassing 2-1 defeat to St Kitts and Nevis on Sunday. The Vincentians, who needed to win in order to qualify for next month’s play-offs, muffed numerous scoring opportunities particularly in the first half, despite St. Kitts and Nevis being without their regular goalkeeper for most of the duel at the at the Jefferson High School Stadium.

Though dominating most of the match, the Vincentians could not find the nets, even after the departure of St Kitts starting goalie Akil Byron, who was given his marching orders in the 33rd minute for handling the ball outside the penalty box. On the other hand, St Kitts made better use of paltry scoring opportunities, converting in the 21st and 65th minutes off the boots of Javeim Blanchette and Devaughn Elliott, respectively. Grayson Alexander gave the Vincentians some hope in the 35th minute, with the equaliser, when he stunned St Kitts substitute goalkeeper Jeffrey Hewlett with a thunderous free kick five yards outside the penalty box.

But Elliott returned in the second half to put St. Kitts and Nevis ahead and seal the match for the underdogs. Earlier, the Vincentians missed at least three scoring opportunities in the first 20 minutes, as they lacked penetration inside the area. The victory put St Kitts in the lead in the Western Zone on nine points from four matches. Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda are currently tied for the second spot after four matches each. The top three teams in each zone qualify for the play-offs. (CMC)