Perennial rivals headline JPL round four

Perennial rivals Cavalier and Mount Pleasant Football Academy will renew their growing rivalry in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) today when they meet in the feature match of a double-header at Sabina Park, starting at 7 p.m.

In the opening game, Molynes United face Racing United at 5 p.m.

Elsewhere, Montego Bay United will take on Dunbeholden at Jarrett Park, Treasure Beach face Humble Lion at STETHS, and Tru-Juice host Tivoli Gardens at the Bramwell Clarke Sports Complex. All matches kick off at 3:30 p.m.

Mount Pleasant have already got the better of Cavalier this year, edging them 1-0 in a recent Concacaf Caribbean Cup group-stage encounter.

However, the St Ann outfit’s domestic form has been disappointing. Theodore Whitmore’s team lost its first two matches of the season and has managed just one win from three outings.

Cavalier, meanwhile, exited the regional competition at the group stage but have made a strong start to their JPL campaign with two wins from two matches.

With the Caribbean Cup semi-finals on the horizon, Mount Pleasant may not yet be fully focused on domestic duties.

Nevertheless, the teams, who have contested three of the last four JPL finals, rarely need additional motivation when facing each other. Mount Pleasant are expected to be fully tuned in for the contest, with their supporters demanding all three points.

Following his team’s first win of the season against Dunbeholden last Sunday, Whitmore said the result felt especially significant.

“We scored two goals and didn’t concede. So it is something we can build on. When you look at the table and see Mount Pleasant at the foot, nobody expects that. It wasn’t pleasing for the fans that travelled with us. We look forward to the next one. It (win) now gives us a momentum going into the next game.”

Year after year, Cavalier have lost key attacking players, and after the departure of leading scorer Kimarley Scott following last season, the black-and-whites have once again shown an ability to adapt.

This season, the former champions have been getting goals from several areas of the field, making them a less predictable attacking unit.

Of the five goals they have scored so far, three have come from midfielders and one from a defender, while the other was an own goal.

Although Christopher Ainsworth is yet to get on the scoresheet, he remains Cavalier’s primary attacking threat.

Assistant coach Everdean Scarlett said the camp is now growing in confidence after finding the net regularly in the JPL following their scoreless Caribbean Cup campaign.

Meanwhile, newcomers and league leaders Tru-Juice will look to extend their unbeaten run to four matches when they host Tivoli Gardens.

The Damion Gordon-coached team have scored five goals in three matches and are yet to concede.

Assistant coach Craig Richards insists the team is not getting carried away by its early-season form.

“It’s just three games and we are pleased with our performance in our first three games. We just continue to work hard and see where that leaves us at the end of the 39 games,” he said.

Tivoli have also made a solid start under new coach Andrew Price. They remain unbeaten with one win and two draws and should provide a stern test.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Today’s Games

Montego Bay United vs Dunbeholden, Jarrett Park (3:30 p.m.)

Treasure Beach vs Humble Lion, STETHS (3:30 p.m.)

Tru-Juice vs Tivoli Gardens, Bramwell Clarke Sports Complex (3:30 p.m.)

Molynes United vs Racing United, Sabina Park (5 p.m.)

Mount Pleasant FA vs Cavalier, Sabina Park (7 p.m.)

Monday’s Games

Chapelton vs Waterhouse, 5:30 p.m. (Venue TBA)

Arnett Gardens vs Portmore United, 8 p.m. (Venue TBA)