Desperate MBU seek to rebound
CATHERINE HALL, St James – Two-time champions Montego Bay United (MBU), who are languishing in the lower half of the table in the Red Stripe Premier League will be desperate to rebound when they host FC Reno in a western derby at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Monday, after suffering their worst ever loss last weekend, beaten 5-1 by Portmore United.
MBU, who were losing back-to-back games, are struggling through one of their worst ever seasons, after winning twice in three seasons and making it to at least the semi-finals four consecutive times.
Previous to this, MBU’s worst margin of loss in the RSPL were two 0-3 losses – to Waterhouse in the 2014/15 season and Boys Town the following year.
MBU had only allowed four goals in a game once – last season against Rivoli FC.
They are now rooted in the lower half of the table in eighth place on 15 points from 13 games, and face a FC Reno team that are in fifth place on 20 points.
One of MBU’s four wins in the first round was against FC Reno at Frome, ending their then five games unbeaten run, and they will hope to be able to rebound with a win, in a game that will be on national television.
The scoring of goals is among the biggest problems for MBU this season. They have scored only 10 goals in the 13 games played, among the worst in the league with only two other teams, Harbour View and Sandals South Coast, finding the back of the net on lesser occasions.
On Monday, they should welcome back goalkeeper Jacomeno Barrett, who served a four -game ban handed down after their game against Arnett Gardens in mid- November.
There are also hopes that experienced goal scorer Dino Williams will be fit to play, after he hobbled off the field with a groin injury, just 12 minutes against Tivoli Gardens, and did not feature in the last two games.
FC Reno, meanwhile, have been holding their own in the league and are in good form, losing just once in their last five games, and will be led by the prolific Craig Foster, with striker Fancy-Hue Stewart, who played daCosta Cup football for Paul Bogle last season, also making his mark in the league.
On Sunday, Sandals South Coast, who looks to be in danger of not escaping the relegation zone, and are in 11th place, will host second- placed Portmore United at Frome, starting at 3:00 pm.
