Mount Pleasant target MBU for third straight win in RSPL
CATHERINE HALL, St James — Newly promoted Mt Pleasant Football Academy, fresh from back-to-back wins in the Red Stripe Premier League season are set and ready to make their first appearance at this level in Montego Bay when they take on former champions Montego Bay United (MBU) at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Monday, starting at 8:30 pm.
Backed by their multimillionaire owner Peter Gould, Mt Pleasant have set the local football landscape on fire with their bold and aggressive style, have got off to a good start with wins over the two teams that appeared in the finals last season, and have now set their radar on three points from the former two-time champions.
The St Ann-based team is tied for the lead with Cavalier FC and Tivoli Gardens, all on six points.
After losing their opening game at home to Tivoli Gardens two weeks ago, MBU made amends on Sunday, edging Dunbeholden United, another newcomer, 1-0, at the Prison Oval, to sit in mid-table in seventh place.
Despite failing to win their opening game for the eighth- straight time, MBU are already better off than they were last year when they had to wait until the fifth round to get their first win against the then promoted Sandals South Coast.
MBU’s only goal of this season has come from the penalty spot, scored by Orlando McBayne, one of two changes to the starting team from the first game, and so far, the attacking force of Allan Ottey, Jermaine Woozencroft and Jordaine Fletcher has failed to produce.
Coach Vassell Reynolds has kept faith with his young core of players and Giovanni Reid, who came on as a second -half substitute against Tivoli Gardens, earned a start against Dunbeholden, could again be in the starting line-up on Monday, alongside Nevaun Turner and Nazime Matalie-Grant in midfield.
Of added interest to Mt Pleasant’s visit will be the inclusion of two former MBU players: national centre half Ladale Richie, and attacking midfielder Reynaldo Rodney.
Richie and Rodney were among the first players signed by Mt Pleasant, and they are expected to be part of the starting team on a surface they will be very familiar.
