Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz closed out their two-match series, against the Trinidad and Tobago Soca Warriors with a 1-1 draw at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Sunday, February 9. 

An own goal scored by Trinidad and Tobago defender Josiah Trimmingham in the fourth minute of added time at the end of the match spared the blushes of hosts Jamaica who were on the verge of losing the game which would have seen the series end 1-1. 

Trimmingham had given T&T a 29th-minute lead and it appeared to be the match-winner until he steered the ball into his own net in the 94^th minute.

Jamaica had won the first match of the series played in Montego Bay 1-0 last Thursday and were looking for a second win while T&T were looking to level the series at 1-1 Sunday Night. The two-match series was sponsored by Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum. 

Playing in front of an expectant crowd, the Reggae Boyz started slowly, allowing the Soca Warriors time and space on the ball which caused the visitors to grow into the game and dominate possession early. 

T&T took advantage of the opportunity to play their game when Trimmingham opened the scoring with a back post header from a corner kick just shy of the half-hour mark. 

Jamaica went on the front foot shortly after conceding and should have been level when the ball fell kindly to debutant and Jamaica Premier League leading goal scorer, Jalmaro Calvin, but the Cavalier FC striker spurned the opportunity when he mis-kicked from the edge of the six-yard box. 

There were also half chances for Daniel Green in the half, but the Mount Pleasant FA winger failed to hit the target on both occasions as T&T led 1-0 at the break.

Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McLaren rang the changes in the second half, and it would eventually pay dividends.

The introduction of the Arnett Gardens pair of Warner Brown and Kimani Arbouine along with the young Tivoli Gardens striker Nickalia Fuller provided urgency up front for Jamaica as they harried and harassed the previously comfortable T&T defenders. 

The Jamaican players fed off the energy of the crowd that was now fully engrossed in the game but were unable to get the ball into the back of the net despite hitting the frame of the goal. 

Some members of the crowd had begun to file out of the venue when Jamaica eventually drew level through the persistence of Arbouine whose goal-bound effort was inadvertently turned into his own net Trimmingham one minute before the final whistle was due to be blown. 

It was a cruel blow for the T&T team but no more than the Jamaicans deserved based on their second-half display.