Young Walsall defender Cayden Bennett was an unused substitute as St. Kitts & Nevis took on San Marino in the first of two international friendlies.Bennett, who forms part of the Saddlers Under-18s side and qualifies for the Sugar Boyz through his grandmother, was something of a surprise call-up to the senior side, though was no doubt keen to impress on his first taste of such a level of the game.
SAN MARINO STARTING XI
A. Simoncini; D. Rossi, M. Palazzi, S. Franciosi, A. Tosi, A. D'Addario, L. Capicchioni, M. Mularoni, A. Golinucci, L. Lazzari and M. Vitaioli
ST. KITTS & NEVIS STARTING XI
J. Archibald; A. Burley, J. Ible, E. Nicholls, T. Shade, R. Sawyers, Y. Mitchum, R. Sommersall, O. Sterling-James, D. Edwards and H. Panayiotou
The match didn't get off to the greatest start for Cayden's side as SS Cosmos forward Filippo Berardi opened the scoring for San Marino after his side was awarded a spot kick by referee Deborah Bianchi.
Despite their setback, the Sugar Boyz refused to be beaten and went on to level the scores later in the first-half as St. Peters Strikers midfielder Tyquan Terrell dragged his side back into the contest.
St. Kitts & Nevis were soon in the lead as, assisted by former Walsall trialist Omari Sterling-James, Oxford City defender Andre Burley, who gave away the foul for the home side's opening goal, prodded the ball home, taking his side to the break in the lead.
The scoring didn't end there either as former Leicester City man Harry Panayiotou, who now plies his trade with Maltese side Sirens, added a third for St. Kitts & Nevis early in the second half, as they closed in on victory.
Although Cayden had to make do with a spot on the bench, he will have gained some unrivalled experience as he takes his first steps in the beautiful game. Congratulations, Cayden!
| BERARDI [P] (21') |
TERRELL (31') BURLEY (45') PANAYIOTOU (49') |
| AT | SAN MARINO STADIUM |