Mount Pleasant move up to third in JPL
Published:Tuesday | May 31, 2022 | 1:13 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Mount Pleasant Football Academy continued their return to form in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) with a 1-0 win over Arnett Gardens at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday, a result which lifted them above their opponents to third in the table.
It was the fourth win in five games for the St Ann-based club. They are now on 37 points, one more than Arnett Gardens and five adrift of leaders Dunbeholden.
With three games to go, Mount Pleasant coach Nick Eaden said his team is still fighting for a top two spot in the regular season and that yesterday’s result left them in a good place
“It was quite a battle. We knew it was going to be a tough game as there was quite a lot at stake,” he said.
He noted also that their turn around in form is a result of adjustment to the team strategy.
“At times this season, we have been caught when we have tried to squeeze up and I think this (style) suits the players more. And this win puts us into third position,” he stated.
Both teams created good openings in the first half with Ronaldo Cephas missing a simple header early on and Shandee James dragging a shot wide for Arnett.
Mount Pleasant’s Trivante Stewart kicked straight to goalkeeper Eric Edwards from five yards and his teammate Ricardo Morris’ powerful shot was well saved.
However, six minutes into the second half, Stewart found the winner. He held off Ezran Simpson and hit past Edwards for the game’s only goal.
Arnett came close and almost got a point at the death but Shaven Sean Paul turned Fabian Reid’s low drive across the face of the goal and just out of the reach of an onrushing Arnett player.
Arnett coach Paul Davis said poor finishing was their downfall.
“We are convinced this team can go far. We just need to take our chances. When you make mistakes and other teams take their chances, it will cost you the game.
“So I thought we had Mount Pleasant on the back foot and even a point we should have come out of the game with,” he said.