JAMAICA’S Under-17 footballers delivered a spirited performance as they defeated St Lucia 3-1 in their opening match in Group H of the Concacaf Men’s U17 Championship at Cementos Progreso Stadium in Guatemala on Monday.

Seymore Reid opened the scoring in the 12th minute while second-half substitutes Dario White (50th minute) and Jamari Nolan (55th minute) added to the tally for the Altimont Butler-coached team. Chevaughn Bryon pulled one back for St Lucia in the 73rd minute.

Jamaica dominated the early exchanges and were rewarded when the fleet-footed Reid fired home past the St Lucian goalkeeper from close range. The Jamaicans, who outplayed their opponents for most of the first half, created several other scoring opportunities but poor finishing from their attackers left them with just a 1-0 lead at half-time.

However, Butler introduced White — a member of Portland Timber Academy in the USA — and Nolan at the start of the second half. The move quickly paid off as White increased Jamaica’s lead with a powerful volley which rocketed past the St Lucian custodian.

Nolan made it 3-0 for Jamaica five minutes later when he collected a pass at the top of the 18-yard box, turned away from his marker, and unleashed a powerful, right-footed strike that went straight through the goalkeeper.

However, Bryon pulled one back for St Lucia in the 73rd minute, lobbing the ball over advancing Jamaican goalkeeper Justin Murray. Bryon, who tormented Jamaica’s defence with his quick dribbling skills and pace, nearly added a second goal in the 80th minute but his point-blank effort was saved by Murray. Reid came close to scoring his second goal of the game and Jamaica’s fourth of the match in the 90th minute but his strike from 20 yards hit the post.

Jamaica will now look to build on this performance when they take on the Cayman Islands in their second match of the tournament on Wednesday at 5:00 pm, Jamaica time.