Cavalier, Waterhouse closer to JPL play-offs
Published:Sunday | August 15, 2021 | 12:12 AMRobert Bailey - Sunday Gleaner Writer
Cavalier and Waterhouse moved closer to securing spots in the play-offs of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) after contrasting victories over Molynes United and Mount Pleasant Academy yesterday.
Collin Anderson netted a double to lead Cavalier to a 3-1 victory over Molynes United in the opening match of the double-header at the UWI/JFF Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence. Anderson scored his goals in the 49th and 69th minutes. Substitute Ronaldo Webster netted Cavalier’s third goal in the 90th minute.
Kemar Reid netted the consolation goal for Molynes United in the 75th minute.
The victory moved Cavalier up to third in the standings on 12 points while Molynes United remained ninth in the table on six points.
Cavalier Sporting Director Rudolph Speid said he is happy for the win because it has now put them in a good position to qualify for the play-offs.
“It was a good win and this has now put us in good stead for the play-offs,” Speid said. However, we still have a lot of work to do because we have three hard games to go.
“We have Vere United, Portmore United and Mount Pleasant, and those are the top three teams, so it is not over because we still have a lot of hard work to do.”
Molynes United assistant coach Andre Daley said he is disappointed with his team’s efforts because they did not play to instructions.
“We didn’t play to our game plan and it cost us because the players were very undisciplined throughout the match,” he said.
In the second match of the double-header, Waterhouse left it late in the second half to register a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Mount Pleasant Academy.
Kenroy Howell, in the 77th minute, and Andre Fletcher, in the 90th minute, gave Waterhouse the three points. They were recording their first victory over Mount Pleasant Academy in six matches. Mount Pleasant ended the match with 10 men after Cardel Benbow received a straight red card for violent conduct in the 88th minute.
The victory moved Waterhouse up from eighth to fifth in the standings with 10 points, while Mount Pleasant slipped to fourth on 11 points.
IMPORTANT VICTORY
Waterhouse head coach Marcel Gayle said the victory was a big one for his team in their quest to qualify for the play-offs.
“It is a very important victory, but it is a work in progress for us,” Gayle said. “Hats off to the guys because they worked their socks off, hence we came away with this victory.
“The points table is tightly bunched and I think a point or two points separate the top from the bottom, so if we keep on getting positive results, then we can challenge for the trophy.”
Mount Pleasant head coach Wally Downes said he was displeased with his team’s efforts in the last 20 minutes of the game.
“We were below par today,” he said. “They were a difficult team to play and for 70 minutes it was a good competition. Unfortunately, when our player got sent off, we had no chance to get back into the game.”