Sports

Extracted From the South London Press & Mercury BY RICHARD CAWLEYrichard@slpmedia.co.uk There could be one good thing to come out of Lyle Taylor’s knee injury – that he’ll be able to spend more time on the fundraising trail this month. The 29-year-old Charlton talisman is sidelined after sustaining ligament damage while on international duty with Montserrat. Taylor has once again dyed his hair pink for October to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Last year he raised more than £16,000. The South Londoner had scored five goals in six Championship matches before his injury setback. “If I’m completely honest it will allow me to push the message a little bit harder than last year in terms of appearances and interviews,” said Greenwich-born Taylor, who has had a number of family members affected by the disease. “Last year I had games to focus on. Now I should be able to do everything and anything thrown at me, within reason. “That will be good in terms of pushing the message out there. “I haven’t set any targets. No-one expected us to get to what we did last time. If we can beat that it would be nice but it’s more important getting more people involved and fundraising. It’s not how much money Lyle Taylor raises or how nice Lyle Taylor is – it is about spreading the message. “I’ve got a platform to do that and push something which is important to me and my family. In the grander scheme of things it is important to society in general.” It took four hours for Taylor to get his hair dyed on Sunday to a shade that he describes as “neon pink”. Taylor visited lifelong Addicks fan Betty Hutchins before she passed away in June. “It is horrible – I don’t want to see people in pain and dying,” he said. “But it is the right thing for me to do and the right thing to do as a human being.  If I could make Betty smile for 10 minutes of her life then I’ve done something good, that’s important to me. “It is always hard, especially Christmas when we go to see the kids in hospital, but again we as footballers can give them something to smile about.” Taylor is expected to be missing from Charlton action for around two months. It is the first significant injury he has suffered in his career. “It’s frustrating,” said Taylor. “When it eventually came out [that he was injured] a lot was said about how I had done this playing for Montserrat – but it had nothing to do with playing for Montserrat; I passed the ball and my knee went. “I heard it go pop but I didn’t think anything – I wasn’t in pain. Then overnight it stiffened up and I couldn’t walk. “The next day, Sunday, the MFA [Monserrat Football Association] flew me home. I had a scan in London and was in a knee brace by Monday evening – the process was just as quick as if it had happened here at The Valley. “The MFA didn’t do anything wrong. They couldn’t control it. “I’ve been in a knee brace for three weeks and I have got three more weeks before I am hopefully out of it and then it is a case of getting fit,  back in the squad and team. “But I can’t even walk yet, I’m still on crutches for another week. “Other than a rolled ankle when I was 21 this is my first big injury – at 29. I’ve had little things that might mean I was missing for a week or a few days. “Am I a quick healer? God alone knows. I hope so and we’ll find out soon.” Only seven players have scored more league goals in England’s top four divisons than Taylor since he joined AFC Wimbledon in 2015. Taylor is the Dons’ record scorer in the Football League – 55 in all competitions. The former Millwall youngster has 70 league goals in that period, netting 30 times in 51 matches for Charlton. “Neal Ardley [AFC Wimbledon manager] gave me free range to go and win games of football,” said Taylor. “He realised my talent. Now Lee Bowyer signed me and he has done the same thing. He has realised where my talents lie, realised the areas of the pitch I need to be in to score goals. “For me to be up there, even to be known as someone who has scored a good amount of goals in that period, is vindication in itself. I’ve done something very right and I’m proud of that. I hope I can continue that, when I’m back.” I caught up with Taylor before Wednesday night’s match with Swansea City. So far Charlton have proved the doubters wrong since winning promotion to the Championship. It was felt that Roland Duchatelet’s tight lid on spending – effectively keeping wages at League One level – would cause them major issues competing. But they have cracked on with the challenge set them. “It’s unbelievable,” said Taylor. “If you had offered us in the changing room the chance to be on 17 points after nine games then we’d have snapped your hand off. “The only thing we can say is we are going over and above what we expect. The manager, on the other hand, he said he knew this was going to be the case. And he said the same last year. “He obviously knows what he has got, he’s watched a lot of football at this level and he knows how good we can be on our day. “It’s about us performing to those levels and hopefully exceeding expectations – seeing where we go. “Who knows? It could go anywhere. We could tail off and at the very worst, in my hope, is that we finish mid table. But why not dare to dream and see where we can go?”

Captain of the Lyle Taylor is overjoyed with Montserrat’s first win the CONCACAF Nations League last weekend. The Emerald Boys blanked Belize 1-0 on Sunday before an enthusiastic crowd at the Blakes Football Stadium Taylor says the team displayed a dominant performance over their rivals. Captain of the Montserrat Football team Lyle Taylor Meanwhile, Belize Captain Woodrow West is disappointed with his team’s performance. He says they did not stick to the game plan. Belize Captain Woodrow West Montserrat’s next match is against Aruba in November.

A Montserratian Professional Footballer is calling on people with influence to use their platforms to raise awareness about Cancer. Striker for the Charlton Athletics Football Club in the UK Lyle Taylor says there need to be a conversation on the impact of cancer on the community. Taylor in an interview with ZJB News announced that he has started a Campaign to raise money for Cancer Research in the UK. Lyle Taylor Taylor is a member of the Montserrat National Football Team “Emerald Boys” who take on Belize on Sunday in the CONCAFAC Nations League.

Individual Awards: The Auckland Hector Best Wicket-Keeper – Mr. Jaison Peters (Montserrat) The Robert Jeffers Most Discipline Team – Team St. Kitts The Haycene Ryan Batsman with the Highest Individual Score – Mr. Rahkeem Cornwall (Antigua & Barbuda 118 not out vs Montserrat.) The Austin White Bowler with the Most Wickets – Mr. Deno Baker (Montserrat) &Mr. Daniel Doram (Smarten) 10 wickets each. The Keith Arthurton Best Fielding Team- Team St. Kitts The Davon Williams Batsman with the Most Runs- Mr. Rahkeem Cornwall (278 runs Antigua & Barbuda). The Lesroy Weekes Bowler with the Best Bowling Figures Mr. Deno Baker (Montserrat 6/23 vs St Maarten.) The Bertrand Osborne Batsman who scored A Century in the Tournament-Mr. Rahkeem Cornwall (Antigua & Barbuda 118 not out.)Mr. Chesney Hughes (Anguilla 104) The Jim Allen Most Valuable Player of the Leeward Islands Men’s 50 Overs Championship 2018- Mr. Rahkeem Cornwall (Antigua & Barbuda) Batsman with the Most Runs for Each Country: Anguilla – Mr. Chesney Hughes (190 runs) Antigua & Barbuda- Mr. Rahkeem Cornwall (278 runs) St Maarten- Mr. Akeem Charles (75 runs) Nevis – Mr. Adelvin Phillip (193 runs) St Kitts – Mr. Akeem Saunders (176 runs) Montserrat – Mr. Jaison Peters (213 runs) Bowler with the Most Wickets for Each Country: Anguilla – Mr. Chesney Hughes/ Mr. Yannick Leonard (7 wickets each) Antigua & Barbuda – Mr. Karima Gore (7 wickets) St Maarten Mr. Daniel Doram (10 wickets) Nevis – Mr. Nelson Bolan (7 wickets) St Kitts – Mr. Jeremiah Louis (9 wickets) Montserrat – Mr. Deno Baker (10 wickets) Most Valuable Player for Each Country 2018: The Lanville Harrigan M.V.P for Anguilla- Mr. Chesney Hughes The Sylvester Joseph M.V.P for Antigua & Barbuda- Mr. Rahkeem Cornwall The Imran Mc Sood M.V.P for St. Maarten- Mr. Daniel Doram The Stuart Williams M.V.P for Nevis- Mr. Adelvin Phillip The Shane Jeffers M.V.P for St Kitts- Mr. Terrance Warde The Bennette Roach M.V.P for Montserrat- Mr. Jaison Peters Final Country Standings for the Leeward Islands 2018 Men’s Championship: Champions – Team St KittsSecond Place- Team Antigua & BarbudaThird Place- Team Anguilla

Montserrat and St Kitts both secured wins on day one of the 2018 LICB Men’s 50 Over Tournament on Tuesday. Montserrat scored 133 for 5 off 26 overs replying to St Maarten’s 132 all out in 36.2 overs at Salem Park. Shawn Tuitt top scored with 39, followed by Jousha Grant 32 and Deno Baker 26 not out. Akeem Charles top scored for St Maarten with 34 as the Montserrat bowlers dominated, led by Deno baker 6 for 25 off 10 overs and Damion Williams 2 for 11 from 5.2 overs. Daniel Doram was the pick of the St Maarten bowlers with 3 for 55 from 10 overs Meantime Defending Champions St Kitts defeated Anguilla by 8 wickets at the Little Bay Park. Anguilla were dismissed for a meager 85 runs from 32 Overs. Kaecy Carty top scored for his team with 23 runs. St Kitts in return, scored 86 for 2 from 22 overs with Larry Audain 38 and Akeem Saunders 33 top scoring.

Montserrat failed to build on the momentum of their first goal conceding to El Salvador 2-1 in the first leg of the CONCACAF Nations League Qualifiers Saturday night. The Emerald Boys got supporters on their feet after 38 minutes of the game as Defender Joseph Taylor found the back of the net, making the score 1-0. Montserrat defended their one goal, until Oscar Ceren stepped up to the plate for his team tying the score 1-1 in the 62nd minute. The El Salvadoran Midfielder bagged a brace, after finding the back of the net once again with a header in the 4th minute of the second half stoppage time. Member of the El Salvador Squad, Dustin Corea told ZJB News that keeping their composure and maintaining ball handling was what gave his team the edge as the game wounded down to the finals minutes. Dustin Corea Photo Credit: Montserrat Football Association Facebook Page Despite the results, Head Coach of the Emerald Boys William Donachie said he was pleased with the performance of his players. Head Coach William Donachie Photo Credit: Montserrat Football Association Facebook Page And Captain Michael Williams said he too was delighted with his team’s performance. Captain Michael Williams Montserrat’s next game will be against Belize on Sunday October 14th at the Blakes Football Field starting at 6 PM. The Emerald boys will also face Aruba and the Cayman Islands away.  

Emerald Boys warming up for a practice match against another local team Photo Credit: Montserrat Football Association Inc – Facebook Page The Montserrat Football Association on Thursday announced the roster for Montserrat’s national team’s participation in the CONCACAF Nations League. The 19man squad – Emerald Boys – will be led by defensive midfielder Michael Williams. Other members of the team are Alex Dyer, Dean Mason, Joseph Taylor, Solomon Henry, Craig Braham, Bradley Woods-Garness, Adrian Clifton, Corrin Brookes-Meade, Micah Hilton, Terrell Miller, Brandon and James Comley, Spencer Daley, Dejour Buffonge and Marvin Farrell. The team also exposes 3 new footballers to the international competition, Ahijah Daley, Doron Cassell and Mark Rogers. The squad is being Managed by Dennision Daley and Coached by William Donachie. George Dublin is the Assistant Coach.

Batting all rounder Shernyl Burns will lead Montserrat in the Leeward Island Senior Men’s 50 over Cricket Tournament.  The Montserrat Cricket Association announced the squad for the championship which starts on Friday September 14 in Montserrat. Burns will have as his deputy, experienced fast bowler Damion Williams. The squad includes speedsters Quinton Boatswain, Jemuel Cabey, Travis Harrison and Aiden Livan, stylish wicketkeeper batsman Jaison Peters and his protégé Joshua Gant, and promising alrounder Zawandi White. White, Cabey and Grant are fresh from creditable performances in the Cricket West Indies Under 19 tournament in St. Vincent. The squad also sees the return of batsman Shawn Tuitt who now lives and plays in the UK. Other key players are Kriston Murrain, Theodore Frye, Dalston Tuitt, and Deno Baker. The Montserrat team is also bolstered by the inclusion of Leeward Islands Hurricanes Francshise player Damion Jacobs who will give support in the spin department . McPherson Meade is player/coach, while Kenton Weekes Jr. is the therapist. Montserrat plays its first game on Friday September 14 against a combined St Maarten/USVI team at Salem Park. Other participating islands are defending champions st kitts , Anguilla, Nevis and Antigua Barbuda 

US based Sprinter Lavon Allen wants to put Montserrat back on the map. Allen represented Montserrat at the recently held CAC Championships in Toronto. He ran 10.95 in the qualification of the men’s 100m and 11.00 in the semifinals. He had a best leap of 7.43m in the men’s long jump.

Safe Spaces for Youth was the theme designated for International Youth Day observed on Sunday August 12, 2018.  This year the day promoted the use of safe spaces where youth can come together, and engage in activities related to their diverse needs and interests. Parliamentary Secretary responsible for youth Gregory Willock used the day to outline the ways in which his administration has accommodated the needs of young people. He highlighted the provision of scholarships for youth in the area of sports as one of the opportunities being created for young people to contribute more meaningfully to the islands development. Former Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Jermaine Wade added this perspective to the theme.