Pinnock strike headlines Reggae Boyz’ form in leagues
LONDON, United Kingdom (CMC) — Centre back Ethan Pinnock got on the scoresheet as Brentford crushed Luton Town 5-1 in the Premier League, to be one of three Reggae Boyz on target in the English leagues on Saturday.
Seasoned forward Garath McCleary rolled back the years with a double for Wycombe Wanderers in League One.
The 36-year-old, who played the last of his 24 internationals for the Caribbean powerhouses eight years ago, struck twice in the 15th and 75th minutes as the visitors thrashed relegated Carlisle 3-1.
In the Championship, Jamal Lowe was on target for Swansea City as they cruised to a 4-0 hammering of Huddersfield Town.
Guyana international Reiss Greenidge also had a goalscoring presence with a single strike as Maidstone United turned over Hampton and Richmond 5-1.
Pinnock made his mark in the top flight, helping Brentford to go 10 points clear of the drop zone.
The 30-year-old, making his first start in two months, headed in a 62nd-minute goal off Sergio Reguilon’s corner to put the visitors 3-0 up at Kenilworth Road in the east, after a double from Democratic Republic of the Congo international Yoane Wissa had given them a comfortable 2-0 lead at the break.
Keane Lewis-Potter (64th) and substitute Kevin Schade (86th) added the remaining goals while Luke Berry got the consolation for the hosts in injury time.
Pinnock’s goal was his second of the season, following his opener against Chelsea in a 2-0 win last October.
McCleary, who scored three times for Reggae Boyz and was a member of the side that reached the final of the 2015 Concacaf Gold Cup, opened the scoring at Brunton Park in the north-west when he poked home a loose ball following Luke Leahy’s corner.
Alfie McCalmont levelled nearing the half-hour mark, burying a firm drive from just inside the 18-yard box after being set up by fluid work down the left by Georgie Kelly and Jon Mellish. But 20-year-old Richard Kone put the visitors ahead again from close range.
McCleary settled the affair when he arrived in the box to nod home Leahy’s pinpoint cross, notching his sixth goal of the campaign.
At Kirklees Stadium in West Yorkshire the 29-year-old Lowe scored his ninth of the season and fourth of the year to put Huddersfield Town closer to relegation.
Following a goalless first half Lowe’s low drive in the 73rd minute opened the floodgates, and Brazilian Ronald added the second in the 85th before Liam Walsh and Jerry Yates netted in injury time.
Huddersfield lie in the bottom three while Swansea are mid table in 14th.
In the south-east at Gallagher Stadium, 28-year-old centre back Greenidge opened the scoring after only two minutes, paving the way for the home side’s domination as Sam Corne, Matt Rush and Matthew Bentley all got on the scoresheet.