Jamalco clip Maverley to extend lead in Premier League play-offs
Jamalco FC extended their lead atop the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Charley’s JB Rum Premier League play-offs table, after clipping Maverley/Hughenden FC 1-0 at Marverley playing field yesterday.
The reliable Renoir Elliott got the all-important strike in the 81st minute, to push the South Central Confederation champions up to nine points.
By virtue of this their third consecutive victory, the Clarendon team has now tightened their grip on one of the two promotion places to next season’s Red Stripe Premier League.
Maverley/Hughenden, who were losing for the first time, were joined on four points by Eastern Confederation winners Brazil FC, who clipped Granville 2-1 in St James.
Winning Jamalco coach Rayan Johnson was elated with his team’s performance.
“We came out here knowing that Maverley will be coming at us to get the three points, but we fought hard to get these points and we are really happy for it,” he told journalists in a post-game interview.
His counterpart, Lij Simms was left grieving their missed chances.
“Indiscipline got the better of us and it cost us. Reaching this stage, the players have to understand that they have to want it, if not, then we can do so much and no more,” he said.
It was by no means an entertaining first half, but the anticipation was very evident on the faces of those in attendance occupying every available roof-top in and outside of the venue.
Both teams evenly shared possession, but went to the dressing room goalless.
Jamalco enjoyed the better of play on the resumption and dictated the pace of the game, despite failing to create any meaningful opportunities.
Maverley/Hughenden should have grabbed the ascendancy against the run of play in the 70th minute, but Rohan Williams fired a sitter onto the crossbar after the bounce eluded a defender and fell nicely into his path.
That missed chance would later leave a bitter taste in the mouth of the hosts, when Elliott headed a cross from Andrew Isaacs beyond the reach of custodian Damian Campbell, to put the game to bed.
