Fans at Drax Hall Sports Complex were treated to the first-ever St Ann derby in the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League as defending champions Mount Pleasant Academy thrashed Lime Hall Academy 4-1 on Wednesday.

The two teams have shared home ground this season but it’s one of the only similarities they share as the sides sit at different ends of the spectrum. Mount Pleasant were looking to maintain their position at the top of the table while Lime Hall had yet to win a game all season and sat bottom of the league.

Lime Hall, the designated hosts on the day, started well and took the lead in the 15th minute through striker Ronaldo Brown.

However, the lead was short-lived as Daniel Green’s comfortable finish inside the box pulled Mount Pleasant Level in the 18th minute. Nine minutes later, the champions went ahead thanks to Demari Deacon’s left-footed strike.

Mount Pleasant would lead heading into the break and could have rounded off the contest minutes after the restart when they were awarded a penalty but defender Jamoi Topey could only find the woodwork.

Lime Hall held on for the majority of the second half but Mount Pleasant would strike twice in stoppage time to make the points safe. Ramone Howell found the back of the net in the second minute of added time and substitute Oquassa Chung made it four in minute 94.

Mount Pleasant Assistant Coach Davion Ferguson credited the team’s performance but believes the margin should have been wider.

“On the balance of things, we should have scored a lot more goals. We totally dominated the game. We gave up a really soft goal, contentious goal in my mind. But I think what we did afterwards in terms of our reaction was good. We missed countless chances and this is something we have to definitely get right but it’s always good when you win and start the new year right in terms of getting three points,” he said.

Lime Hall Head Coach Vanie Clarke says the result didn’t reflect the team’s effort.

“We were very good in what we wanted to do all the way through to the 90th minute and losing 2-1, especially the way the game was going, there was an opportunity to equalise and we wanted to be in the game as long as we possibly could and in the 90th minute, the lads that took the field weren’t up to the pace of the game and rather than turning it around, we conceded those two,” he said.

“That really made the game look a little bit worse than it should have, a little bit more quality in the final third and we have absolutely come out with a different result. Pleased with the effort but obviously not pleased with the result, it’s another loss. You can’t continue making excuses, we have to start picking up three points sooner than later,” Clarke added.

The victory keeps Mount Pleasant on top on 28 points while winless Lime Hall remain 14th on four points.

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS

Lime Hall 1, Mount Pleasant 4

Tivoli Gardens 1, Montego Bay 2

Humble Lion 1, Portmore 4

Vere 1, Dunbeholden 2

Harbour View 1, Waterhouse 2