Vernan ... scored Jamaica's opening goal. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Western Bureau:

Jamaica inched closer to securing a place in the semi-finals of the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Championships last night,when they trounced Grenada 4-0 in the top-of-the-table clash and feature game of a Group A double-header at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay.

Eric Vernan, Luton Shelton, Andy Williams and Demar Phillips were on target for the Jamaica team, which are now sole leaders of the group with maximum six points from their two games.

In the first game of the afternoon's double-header, Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) put their semi-final aspirations back on track with a come-from-behind 2-1 win against Barbados.

The Barbadians took a 12th-minute lead through Gregory Goodridge, but the Trinidadians stormed back to snatch victory through a double strike by Errol McFarlane, who converted twice from the penalty spot.

With just one round of games to decide the two semi-finalists from Group 'A', the standings read as follows: Jamaica six points, T&T three, Grenada three and Barbados now out of contention without a point.

Dominant throughout

"This is the kind of result we came here hoping for this afternoon, so we are naturally pleased with this result," said assistant coach of the Jamaican team, Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore. "It is always nice to please the fans with a good performance."

The Jamaicans, who were quite dominant throughout the game, started their impressive march to victory in the eighth minute when Vernan pounced on a rebound before the woodwork and fired in his first goal for the senior Reggae Boyz.

Eight minutes after Vernan's strike, Shelton made it 2-0 when he latched on to a corner from Phillips and nodded powerfully into the goal, making the half-time score 2-0.

Seven minutes into the second half, Jamaica struck again. Williams won possession inside the penalty area and his cracking shot flew between the legs of goalkeeper James Raeburn, making the score 3-0.

With time running out in the game, Jamaica completed their impressive showing when substitute Roland Dean dribbled through the heart of the Grenada defence and dropped a pass at the feet of Phillips, who easily slotted home, making the final score 4-0.

Looking ominous

In the first game, Barbados started off looking ominous and took the lead in the 12th minute when Goodridge took a neat pass from Riviere Williams and slotted into the goal, making the score 1-0.

Trinidad finally came good in the 41st minute when referee Javier Jauregui ruled penalty after a rash tackle on McFarlane. McFarlane made no mistake from the spot, making the half-time score 1-1.

The Trinidadians were to benefit from another penalty call by the referee in the 70th minute, after goalkeeper Alvin Rouse was penalised for a challenge on Anthony Wolfe. The goalkeeper complained and was subsequently red-carded. McFarlane converted from the spot, making the final score 2-1.