Reggae Boys Antonio, Holness on target

LONDON, CMC:

Reggae Boy Michail Antonio marked his return from a bout of COVID-19 with his eighth goal of the season after coming on as a substitute but could not prevent West Ham United tumbling to a 3-2 English Premier League defeat against Southampton yesterday.

Jan Bednarek’s second goal in three games helped Southampton come out on top in a thriller at the London Stadium, making it now five games without a win for the Hammers, who came from behind twice to level, only for Saints to grab a first victory in seven league matches.

Antonio, 31, who came on at the start of the second half, took only four minutes to cancel out Mohamed Elyounoussi’s eighth-minute opener, being alert to head in from close range.

Without Antonio, who had gone 10 games without a goal himself, the Hammers had looked toothless in the first 45 minutes, while Southampton’s counter-attacking approach worked well.

After the Jamaica international’s introduction, the Hammers were more threatening. But they could not stay level for long enough on both occasions after they equalised, constantly shooting themselves in the foot on a frenetic Boxing Day afternoon.

Following Antonio’s equaliser, James Ward-Prowse put Saints back in front with a penalty after Craig Dawson brought down Armando Broja. Said Benrahma swept the Hammers level again only for Bednarek to nod in a Ward-Prowse free-kick and leave the hosts empty-handed.

“I didn’t think it was anything like us. I’m hoping I can make it an off-day for us. It was not the West Ham I’ve been with in the last two years,” West Ham manager David Moyes said.

Easy 4-1 winners

Another Reggae Boy on the mark was 27-year-old midfielder Omar Holness, who helped 10-man Bath City run out easy 4-1 winners with a 57th-minute goal at neighbours Chippenham Town in the sixth-tier National League South.

Jamaica-born Simeon Jackson, 34, who later made 49 appearances for Canada, set National League South outfit Chelmsford City on the way to an easy 3-0 home win over Braintree Town with a brace on the 14th and 28th minute.

Jordon Garrick, 23, another Jamaican-born player who moved to England as a child, ensured that Plymouth Argyle maintained their League One promotion push by scoring in the 75th minute – his fourth of the campaign – after Panutche Camara’s opener in a 2-0 win at Cheltenham Town.

London-born Myles Hippolyte, 27, who is eligible to play for St Lucia or Grenada, scored in the 77th minute for Scunthorpe United, whose substitute, Ryan Loft, scored twice as his side came from behind to defeat League Two relegation rivals Oldham Athletic 3-1.

Jordan Bowery, 30, whose footballing father Bert was born in St Kitts and Nevis, scored on 62 minutes as depleted Mansfield Town made it 10 wins in 11 games after fighting back from 2-0 down to beat League Two opponents Hartlepool United 3-2 with three goals in 11 second-half minutes.

Bowery headed home a far-post cross from Elliott Hewitt for his second goal of the season.