STRIKER Collin Anderson continued his rich vein of form as Cavalier blanked Portmore United 2-0 and consolidated top spot on a day when Chapelton Maroons were relegated from the Jamaica Premier League.

Anderson, who enjoys playing at Ashenhiem Stadium, scored his league-leading 16th goal of the season by latching onto a ball over the top by Đwayne Anderson, and expertly lobbed advancing goalkeeper Benjamin Williams in the 12th minute.

Talented youngster Christopher Ainsworth made the game safe for Cavalier, collecting a pass from Ronaldo Webster before turning goalkeeper Williams inside out and slotting home in minute 73.

Anderson holds a two-goal advantage over Mount Pleasant’s Trivante Stewart (14 goals) in the race for the Golden Boot. Arnett Gardens’ Fabian Reid has 13 goals.

“Every time I come out I try to give it my all. I did expect this, as I set a target at the beginning of the season of 22 goals and I am going for it as I work really hard,” Anderson told the Jamaica Observer.

This was a statement win for Cavalier as they ended the hot, unbeaten, seven-game run of Portmore United and also consolidated their position atop the league on 46 points.

The Rudolph Speid-coached team also moved closer to securing a top two spot that would secure a place straight into the semi-finals.

However, it was a major setback for Portmore United in their push for a top six play-off spot despite remaining in sixth spot on 35 points, which could change on Monday when Waterhouse (34) and Dunbeholden (32) play Tivoli Gardens and Arnett Gardens, respectively.

Clarendon-based Chapelton Maroons were relegated after crashing 0-4 to Humble Lions at the Effortville Community Centre.

Gregory Lewis (48th), Andrew Vanzie (71st), Mark Rodney (74th), and Rico Edwards (81st) all scored for Humble Lions as they consolidated their play-off spot by staying in fifth on 39 points.

Chapelton Maroons, who made their Premier League debut this season, lost for the 14th time in 23 games, winning only three times — which was not sufficient enough to stay in top flight football.

They were docked six points for failing to honour a fixture in January and fined $200,000, and later replaced Head Coach Lenny Hyde with Brazilian Clovis de Oliviera.

At the Wembley Centre of Excellence the visiting Mount Pleasant whipped Vere United 5-0 and consolidated third spot on 42 points. Dwight Merrick grabbed a brace in the sixth and 20th minutes as an own goal in the 47th and two late goals by Atapharoy Bygrave (80th) and Donovan Segree (88th) completed the rout.

Vere stayed in 11th spot on 19 points, eight above the relegation zone with three sets of games remaining. They need just a point to be safe.

Faulkland FC slipped closer to relegation as they lost 1-2 to Montego Bay United to be in 13th spot on 11 points. They need to win their last three games and hope that both Tivoli Gardens and Vere United lose all their games. It’s a steep task and they are heavily fancied to join Chapelton in being relegated.

Courtney Allen (second minute) and Allan Ottey (seventh) scored for Montego Bay as they stayed in 10th spot on 26 points. Tavane Kerr responded for Faulkland in minute 73.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS

Cavalier 2, Portmore 0

Humble Lions 4, Chapelton 0

Vere 0, Mount Pleasant 5

Montego Bay 2, Faulkland 1

Harbour View 1, Molynes 1