SWINDON Town forward Tyrese Shade won his first senior international cap for Saint Kitts and Nevis on Thursday after starting the Sugar Boyz’ 3-1 CONCACAF Nations League victory against Saint Martin.

Shade featured at right-back in the Group B fixture in League C before being substituted midway through the second half while Saint Kitts were leading 2-1.

The Town forward came on as a substitute late in the second fixture on Monday night as the Sugar Boyz gained promotion to CONCACAF Nations League B – while earning a spot in the 2023 Gold Cup qualifiers – courtesy of a 2-0 win against Aruba.

On Thursday, the 22-year-old’s country enjoyed a strong start at the Raymond E. Guishard Stadium in Anguilla but were forced to wait until the 26th minute before they finally broke the deadlock.

Tiquanny Williams reacted quickest to turn home the initial effort which had cannoned off the post.

But five minutes after taking the lead, Saint Kitts were pegged back after Pierre-Bertrand Arne reached the end of a right-side cross to poke into the net.

Cardiff City forward Romaine Sawyers re-established the Kittitians’ advantage four minutes later, though, after another initially-saved attempt was followed up successfully.

Early in the second half, Arne almost equalised for the second time after splitting two defenders with a neat piece of skill, but his shot left plenty to be desired as he dragged wide when one-on-one.

With Shade now watching on from the bench, Saint Kitts and Nevis made the game safe shortly before added time. Aldershot Town’s Harry Panayiotou slammed into the net once Saint Martin goalkeeper Lenny Foy – who was luckless on the day – had parried a shot out to him.

The Sugar Boyz followed up their first win with another at Warner Park in Basseterre, Saint Kitts on Monday night.

Shade’s men dominated with 12 shots in the opening period but were not rewarded for their good play until the dying moments of the half. Keithroy Freeman chipped Aruba ‘keeper Eric Abdul in the 46th minute after running down a long ball over the top.

Although another brilliant Abdul stop kept Aruba in the game, the stopper was powerless to prevent a second from Freeman on the counter-attack in the 80th minute.

Town's winger was sent on for the final 10 minutes to help Saint Kitts see out the rest of the contest.

Shade and the Sugar Boyz will return to League B for the next Nations League cycle, and will travel to the Gold Cup qualifiers in June. If Saint Kitts can top a group with Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, and a third unconfirmed side, they will qualify for their first ever CONCACAF Gold Cup.