Howard Walker, Staff Reporter

Jamaica's Joel Grant turns away from his marker during their Under-20 CONCACAF Final Round play-off game at the Harbour View Mini-Stadium yesterday. Grant scored twice as Jamaica registered a 2-0 first-leg victory. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

A double strike by Joel Grant propelled Jamaica to a 2-0 first-leg win over Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) in their CONCACAF Under-20 Final Round play-off at the Harbour View Mini-Stadium yesterday.

Grant, who plays for English Premier League outfit Watford, netted in the 32nd and 75th minutes to give Jamaica a two- goal cushion for the return leg in the twin-island republic on Wednesday, December 6.

In a game that saw T&T missing two early chances, Grant opened the scoring after latching on to a through pass and calmly placed his shot wide of the advancing goalkeeper Adrian Foncette.

He then doubled Jamaica's lead and eased the nerves of the fidgeting Jamaica Football Federation President, Crenston Boxhill, with a beautiful strike.

Good volley

Grant, sitting at the top of the box, volleyed home an attempted clearance from an Eric Vernon corner kick in the 75th minute.

Dr. Dean Weatherly, coach of the young Reggae Boyz, although not altogether pleased noted that his team will have to make the best of the two-goal cushion.

Said Weatherly: "It (2-0) has to serve right now. We would have been happy with three or four and I saw where we created the chances, which is good. But I would be definitely happier with three or four goals."

Losing coach Brian Williams thought his team played poorly in defence and has a lot of work to do for the return leg.

"We could have played a much better game defensively, especially playing away from home. We have to go back to Trinidad and do our work. At any level to take away a two-goal deficit is a really tough job," said Williams.

He added: "Jamaica are really playing well but we have to play the game according to the situation. We have to try and get the goals and work as hard as possible. We have to get more offensive players in the game and go for the goals."

SCOREBOARD

Jamaica - 2

(Joel Grant 32nd, 75th)

Trinidad & Tobago - 0