Arnett, Cavalier in fight for top places
Published:Sunday | January 7, 2024 | 12:13 AMLivingston Scott - Gleaner Writer
ARNETT GARDENS have a great opportunity to go back to second in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) standings when they take on the improving Cavalier at Sabina Park at 5 p.m. in one of only two games on today.
In the other game, Treasure Beach take on Harbour View at St Elizabeth Technical High School at 3 p.m.
Arnett were sitting second up to two match days ago but defeat to direct rivals Portmore the following week saw them slipping to fourth behind Portmore and Tivoli.
However, Arnett are just three points adrift of second and tied with third-place Tivoli on 24 points, meaning a win today will put them level with Portmore on 27.
Despite their defeat to Portmore two rounds ago, the Xavier Gilbert-coached team has won six of their last eight and after rebounding against Treasure Beach on Thursday will be in a better mental state to face a Cavalier team that is improving each match.
The return of Fabian Reid, who cut his contract in India short to come back home, is also a massive boost.
Reid has been the team’s top scorer for a number of seasons, and with the departure of leading scorer Kimani Arbouine to Africa, having the veteran marksman in the ranks will certainly give them added confidence.
After their stuttered start to the season, Cavalier appear to have stabilised after three successive victories.
One of the main reasons for the team’s consistent run of results in recent matches is their improved solidity at the back.
After conceding eight goals in the first eight matches, the Rudolph Speid-coached team have tightened up around the back and have not let in a goal in their last three games.
Their 3-0 win over Molynes was also the third time they scored three in a match this season. However, it was the first they held a clean sheet in one of those wins.
If Cavalier win this match and get full points from their other outstanding fixtures, they could climb up to second.
Meanwhile, Harbour View are hoping to kick-start their season after just one win in 11 matches, which sees them languishing in 11th place on nine points.
Treasure Beach have fared much better than their more illustrious opponents in the win column, with two victories to their name.
Nevertheless, Harbour View are two points and two places higher up the table in 11th.
A win for Harbour View would be welcome but would not impact the standings.
However, a win for Treasure Beach could push them two places in the table to 10th.