Three teams chasing lone remaining quarterfinal spot in JPL
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The qualification for the play-offs in the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL) will go down to the line with three teams in a dead heat for the sixth and final spot with three rounds of games still to be played.
Five teams, led by defending champions Mt Pleasant FA, have secured their places in the play-offs so far. Former winners Waterhouse FC and Montego Bay United, as well as Dunbeholden FC, are locked on 34 points, separated only by goal-difference.
Meanwhile, former winners Harbour View have secured their place in next season’s staging after a big 6-0 win over relegation bound Lime Hall Academy on Wednesday. Jahshaun Anglin and Tyrese Williams both scored braces for Harbour View while Demar Rose and Rohan Brown added the other goals.
Harbour View are on 22 points, the same as Humble Lion, while Treasure Beach and Lime Hall Academy’s relegation, after just one season, have been confirmed.
Waterhouse FC leads the trio with a goal-difference of 11 after a 4-2 win over Treasure Beach, thanks to a hat-trick from Andre Fletcher who scored in the 35th, 46th and 59th minutes. Leonardo Jibbison made it 4-0 for Waterhouse in the 65th minute before Treasure Beach scored two late goals to close the margin, Raffique Brown in the 77th minute and Romario Smith in the 85th minute.
Montego Bay United extended their unbeaten run to seven games after avenging their first round loss to Dunbeholden FC, winning 2-0 with goals from Jourdaine Fletcher in the 46th minute and Brian Brown in the 90th minute.
Mt Pleasant FA meanwhile stayed at the top despite a 0-0 draw against Vere United while the next four teams, all qualifiers, are tied on 45 points.
Tivoli Gardens are in second place with a goal-difference of 25 after their goal-filled 6-3 win over Molynes United. Tivoli Gardens’ Justin Dunn and Molynes United’s Jason Wright both got hat-tricks.
Dunn, who had two penalties, scored in the 16th, 18th and 89th minutes; Steve Clarke in the 67th minute, Odean Pennycooke in the 74th and Rodico Wellington in the 82nd. for Tivoli. Wright scored in the 41st minute, 54th and 72nd minutes for Molynes.
-Paul A Reid
