Humble Lion, Dunbeholden into JPL Play-offs
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Humble Lion and last season’s beaten finalists Dunbeholden FC completed the play-offs in the Jamaica Premier League after the regular season ended on Sunday afternoon.
Humble Lion’s 0-0 draw against Waterhouse was enough to see them take the fifth spot, while Dunbeholden came from behind to beat Mt Pleasant 3-1 and grab the sixth and final spot, with 41 points.
The teams joined Arnett Gardens, who topped the points tables with 55 points after ending the round with four straight wins, beating Tivoli Gardens 4-1; Cavalier who were second with 52 points after beating Montego Bay United 2-1; Mt Pleasant who are third on 46 points and defending champions Harbour View were fourth with 44 points after their 0-0 draw with Vere United.
Meanwhile, Neil Clarke ended his first season in the Premier League on a high after scoring all of Faulkland FC’s goals in their 4-4 draw against Chapleton Maroons in a match-up of relegated teams at Wespow Park in St James.
It was the first time that Faulkland FC had failed to beat Chapleton Maroons since they first met in the JFF Tier II competition last year and played in the final.
Clarke scored in the 21st and 22nd minutes as Faulkland FC took a 2-0 lead, but Alex Gayle, who scored a hat -trick for Chapleton Maroons pulled one back in the 28th minute, and Ray Campbell scored in the 38th minute, as the teams were tied 2-2 at half time.
Clarke scored two more goals, in the 58th and 69th minutes as Faulkland led 4-2, but Gayle scored in the 78th and 86th minutes to earn his team a point.
Arnett Gardens came from a goal down to beat neighbours Tivoli Gardens who were given the lead by Nickalia Fuller in the 23rd minute, Arnett hit back with goals from Ajuma Johnson in the 43rd minute, Rushike Kelson in the 52nd minute, Shai Smith in the 60th minute and Marlon Allen in the 85th minute.
Cavalier FC raced to a 2-0 lead over MBU who had two substitutes on the bench with Ronaldo Webster opening the scoring in the second minute and Brian Elshot adding a second in the 22nd minute.
Veteran midfielder Dwayne Ambusley who was pressed into service as most of the MBU players were unavailable, scored in the 43rd minute to half the deficit.
Dunbeholden, who needed to win to get into the play-offs, did their part as they came from a goal down to beat Mount Pleasant FA and avenged their first round loss.
Jourdaine Fletcher gave Mt Pleasant the lead in the 25th minute with his first goal of the season but Dunbeholden levelled the scores in the 37th minute through Stephen Barnett, while Dean Andre Thomas gave them the lead in the 67th minute and Stephen Williams added a third goal in the 71st minute.
In the other game played on Sunday, Chevaughn Walsh scored a hat- trick for Portmore United as they beat Molynes United 3-0. He netted in the 16th, 66th and 89th minutes.
– Paul A Reid