SALEM, Montserrat (Interstat) — Montserrat scored four goals and defeated Turks and Caicos Islands 4-1 on Tuesday in a competitive football match at Blakes Estate Stadium. Billy Forbes scored for the visitors in the 81st minute, but Montserrat answered through Tyrone Baker in the 82nd and Ashley Boatswain in the 90th. Lyle Taylor recorded a brace for Montserrat, and Lenni Cirino provided an assist. The result gave Montserrat a winning start in the competition and handed Turks and Caicos Islands its first loss of the season.

Turks and Caicos Islands entered the match after a 3-0 home win over British Virgin Islands in its previous outing. That victory gave the visitors some momentum, but the match grew difficult after several disciplinary decisions. Cadet was shown a yellow card in the 16th minute, and Montserrat’s Comley was booked in the 24th. Dyer received a yellow card for Montserrat in the 36th. In first-half stoppage time, Sessegnon was cautioned for Turks and Caicos Islands, and Cadet was sent off with a red card moments later. The red card left the visitors a player short before halftime.

The visitors were reduced further in the 71st minute when Louisy was sent off with a red card. Paul was booked for Turks and Caicos Islands in the 76th minute, and Sessegnon received a yellow card in the 84th. Montserrat had already begun to make adjustments. Barzey entered as a substitution in the 46th minute, and Dyer was involved in a Montserrat substitution in the 70th minute. Turks and Caicos Islands made substitutions involving Stewart in the 41st minute and Selver in the 46th minute before making two more changes in the 79th minute. Montserrat also substituted Gordon and Townsend-West in the 79th minute. Both sides made substitutions as the match moved into its final stages.

Forbes scored for Turks and Caicos Islands in the 81st minute, giving the visitors a late goal. Montserrat responded one minute later when Baker scored. Boatswain then added another goal in the 90th minute. Taylor finished with two goals for Montserrat, while Cirino’s assist was among the game’s key contributions. Montserrat scored again in the 90th minute, and Turks and Caicos Islands could not answer. Baker’s goal came in the 82nd minute, and Boatswain’s strike completed the scoring for the home side. The final whistle followed shortly after Boatswain’s goal, sealing the home victory.

With the victory, Montserrat moved to 1-0 in the competition and 1-0 across all competitions. Turks and Caicos Islands fell to 1-1 in the competition and 1-1 across all competitions. The visitors had won their season opener but could not duplicate that result on the road. Montserrat, meanwhile, protected its home field and took advantage of its chances after a contest that included multiple cards and substitutions. The win kept Montserrat unbeaten in its young season.

Montserrat made additional substitutions in the 86th minute, with Meade entering the match. Turks and Caicos Islands also made a substitution in the 86th minute, with Park coming on. Earlier, Hutchinson entered for Turks and Caicos Islands in the 79th minute. The match produced six yellow cards and two red cards. Cadet, Comley, Dyer, Sessegnon, Paul and Sessegnon again received yellow cards. Cadet and Louisy were sent off. Forbes’ goal was the only score for Turks and Caicos Islands, while Montserrat got goals from Taylor, Baker and Boatswain.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Montserrat 1, Turks and Caicos Islands 0. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Montserrat with a 63.1 percent probability to win.