Spence sinks MBU with late goal
TUCKER, St James — Cavalier SC spoiled Montego Bay United’s (MBU) return to Wespow Park, clipping the former champions 1-0 with an added time goal from substitute Michael Spence in their second round Red Stripe Premier League game on Thursday.
It was Montego Bay United’s first game at the venue since last season, as they were forced to play all their previous home games at the Montego Bay Sports Complex as they awaited renovations at Wespow Park. Persistent heavy rains and flooding also added to the long delay to MBU returning ‘home’.
The start of the game was pushed back by 45 minutes as Cavalier SC, who improved one place up to fourth after the win and are on 27 points, arrived at the venue late due to massive traffic congestion in Montego Bay.
With Howard Cooke Boulevard shut down with police processing a crime scene after a double murder earlier in the day, traffic was diverted into the centre of the city forcing delays.
Montego Bay United, who played without at least five regular starters, stayed in seventh place on 20 points and were losing their eighth game of the season.
They ended the game with 10 players after late substitute Odane Nish lashed out at Chevone Marsh with a crude, high tackle and was given a straight red card by referee Okito Nicholson in time added on.
The extra-long commute and late arrival seem to affect Cavalier in the first half as they started slowly and allowed MBU more space and possession but the home team failed to take advantage.
National representative Ladale Richie was a defensive standout for MBU in the second half, making no fewer than three last-minute blocks on the line to save his team.
Cavalier SC’s David Mitchell was well placed in the 19th minute to block a free kick at the left post, while Ronaldo Rodney, who was playing in his first game for MBU this season, missed by mere inches wide of the far right post just before half-time.
Richie, who was part of the Reggae Boyz set-up in their run to a second CONCACAF Gold Cup final this past season, blocked a low hard shot from Chevon Marsh in the 57th minute after goalkeeper David Swaby left his line and was beaten by the skilful midfielder who opted for the tight angle rather than pass to a teammate on the penalty spot.
Two minutes later Nicholas Stewart blocked a shot from Kaheem Parris, who appeared to have a clear shot at the MBU goal from just inside the penalty area on the left side.
Cavalier SC had their first real scoring chance in the 77th minute when Swaby was left unprotected, but Marsh and Alex Marshall, their two best players, conspired to miss the wide open goal from the edge of the six-yard box and had to settle for a corner.
Jamoy Topey pulled off a brilliant save in the 80th minute, putting his body on the line to block a shot after MBU countered, Richie bullying his way into the Cavalier SC area from his own penalty area, passing the ball to Hietolah Gardner, who was on the field for about 12 minutes. His cross from the left corner flag beat goalkeeper Jeadine White, but Topey threw his body in the path of MBU’s Jefroy Leslie, heading the ball out for a corner.
After Richie made yet another goalline block in the 86th minute and the game appeared headed for a 0-0 draw, the MBU defence relaxed for only a brief moment, allowing Marsh to turn between two players on the edge of the box and Spence met the low cross with a diving header into the corner of the goal to snatch all three points.
Teams: Montego Bay United — David Swaby, Ladale Richie, Nicholas Amponsah, Nicholas Stewart, Orlando McBayne (Anthony Drummond 46th), Keniel Kirlew, Ronaldo Rodney (Odane Nish 72nd), Raeem Pringle (Hietolah Gardner 67th), Jefroy Leslie, Omar Brown, Anthony Marks
Subs not used: Jacomeno Barrett, Ranaldo Thompson, Javoy McLeod
Booked: Leslie (64th), Stewart (90th), Nish (ejected 90th+2)
Cavalier SC — Jeadine White, Chevone Marsh, Kamoy Simpson, Rushawn Plummer, Alex Marshall, Oshane Roberts, Jamoy Topey, Kaheem Parris (Michael Spence 75th), Dejanni Isaacs, David Mitchell (Valdano Moulton 79th), Omar Walcott
Subs not used: George Pinnock, Marlon Laing, Romaine Sampson
Booked: Walcott (39th), Isaacs (51st)
Referee: Okito Nicholson
Assistant referees: Oyinco McTaggart, Jermaine Yee-Singh
Fourth official: Graffique King
Match commissary: Tracey Reid