PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI — Jamaica senior Reggae Girlz registered win number two on the trot when they defeated Martinique 3-0 in their CONCACAF Caribbean Women’s Group B Qualifying contest here at Stade Sylvio Cator yesterday.

The Jamaicans made heavy weather of the contest before second-half goals from Chinyelu Asher (60th), Trudi Carter (73rd) and the prolific Khadija Shaw (75th), eventually saw them wrapping up proceedings.

With the win the Jamaicans maintained their stay atop the four-team standings on maximum six points, same as Haiti who mauled Guadeloupe 11-0 in the late contest. The Jamaicans lead the table by virtue of goal difference having totalled 16 goals for and none against, as opposed to Haiti’s 3 goals for and none against.

The group leaders meet in the feature game on Sunday, but only the group winner will progress to the final round of qualifiers scheduled for August 25 to September 2.

It was a less than convincing start from the Reggae Girlz, who despite having a few good looks at goal in the early exchanges, seemed indecisive and unsettled for the most parts.

Despite limited amount of pressure from the opponents the Jamaicans easily gave up possession and lacked conviction in the attacking third.

It was not until the half-hour mark that the Jamaicans gradually started to show signs of life in the final third when Shaw disposed of two defenders, but the follow-up shot just shaved the crossbar.

Martinique’s lone chance of the half came through scrappy defending from the Jamaicans who were fortunate that the final effort in front of goal was muffed by Johanne Guillou.

The Reggae Girlz came out more spirited on the resumption and the opening goal belatedly came on the hour mark when Asher fired into the roof of the net after custodian Celine Guacide spilled a free kick from Marlo Sweatman.

That may have been the proverbial shot in the arm the Reggae Girlz required as they proceeded to open up their opponents’ defence and should have extended the lead 11 minutes later.

Substitute Carter had time and space to slot home in the 71st minute but was hesitant in pulling the trigger and was eventually charged down by a recovering defender.

However, the Florida-based striker made amends a minute later with a well-taken left-footed drive from an angle to put the Jamaicans 2-0 up.

Two minutes later Dominique Bond-Flasza released a stinging right-footed effort from the top of the 18-yard box which had the goaltender beaten, but rocketed into the woodwork and Asher fumbled on the rebound in front of goal.

It was left to Shaw to then complete the victory when she literally walked the ball into the net after substitute Kevena Reid broke down the right channel and rolled in a cross ahead of a defender and the advancing Guacide.

Teams: Jamaica — Yazmeen Jamieson, Lauren Silver, Konya Plummer, Chinyelu Asher, Ashleigh Shim (Kevena Reid 74th), Marlo Sweatman, Shantell Thompson (Trudi Carter 46th), Khadija Shaw (Jadyn Matthews 82nd), Dominique Bond-Flasza, Allyson Swaby, Giselle Washington

Subs not used: Chris-Ann Chambers, Keona Simmonds, Natasha Douglas, Lotoya Duhaney, Deneisha Blackwood, Chantelle Swaby

Booked: None

Martinique — Celine Guacide, Clemence Gelebart (Vanessa Carra 46th), Johanne Guillou, Loriane Martial (Emeline Fontaine 73rd), Adeline Privat (Naomie Lapointe-Bellance 62nd) Aurelie Rouge, Julianne Laurent, Prisca Carin, Catherine Noel, Laurence Meslien, Nathaela Paulin

Subs not used: Benedicte Hubbel, Chantal-Marie Etienne, Anayancy Cafe, Solene Honore, Davina Lagier

Booked: None

Referee: Maurees Skeete (GUY)

Assistant Referees: Carissa Douglas-Jacob (TRI); Anne-Marie Joseph (HAI)

Fourth Official: Vilma Montes (SLV)

Match Commissary: Norris Ferguson (TRI)