DESPITE coming from behind to keep the tie level, Mount Pleasant Head Coach Theodore “Tappa” Whitmore says his attackers need to be more efficient following their 1-1 draw with Waterhouse FC on Monday at Sabina Park, in their first-leg, semi-final clash of the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League play-offs.

The defending+ champions played their first match since April 7 due to their automatic bye into the last four for finishing top of the league.

Shaquiel Bradford, Daniel Green, Kimoni Bailey and Devonte Campbell combined for 24 of Mount Pleasant’s 37 goals this season but were unable to add to their tally throughout the 90 minutes. Oquassa Chong, who has contributed seven goals this season, came off the bench in the final few minutes of the match.

After having a goal ruled out for offside in the opening five minutes, Mount Pleasant found themselves behind shortly after the half-time break when the league’s leading goalscorer, Javane Byran, netted his 17th goal of the season to give Waterhouse the advantage.

Mount Pleasant made some tactical changes, including bringing on national midfielder Demario Phillips, and it paid dividends. In the 73rd minute Phillips’s cross eventually found Captain Sue-Lae McCalla who headed home to make it 1-1.

While grateful for McCalla’s equaliser, Whitmore says his offensive stars needed to step up in such a crucial match.

“I thought the team did some good stuff in terms of keeping possession but at times we moved the ball around a bit slow, but my disappointment would be the final action in the final third,” he said. “I think we created numerous goalscoring opportunities but we didn’t make use of them. It’s been the story of the season in terms of goalscoring: If you look on the players that score for us, most of the times it’s unusual players like Sue-Lae McCalla when you expect a Devonte Campbell, Bradford, Green to pop up — but tonight it was Sue-Lae.”

Whitmore was satisfied with the result in the end and praised Captain McCalla who registered his seventh league goal this season.

“Waterhouse are coming off back-to-back games so they are game-ready, we are not,” Whitmore said. “We expected a tough game so to leave the tie with a 1-1 draw, it’s pleasing for us.

“[Sue-Lae] is very important. He’s a leader — both on and off the field. At any given time you can expect [him] to pop up, like what happened.”

Mount Pleasant have been tipped as the overwhelming favourite to win the title. Whitmore, though, says his team isn’t under much pressure but admits making the final is their priority.

“Every game is a must-win game and if you’re in the semi-final, who doesn’t want to win?” he said. “I don’t see it as a pressure; I think the team and the staff know the objective we set out from August for this task and we’re here now. If at this stage you get nervous then it doesn’t even make sense. What you do as a coach or a technical staff would reflect on the players so there’s no sign of nervousness.

The second leg will take place on Sunday at 5:00 pm at Sabina Park, with the winner securing their spot in the final on May 19 at the National Stadium.