KINGSTON, Jamaica – Former champions Montego Bay United defeated 10-man Vere Phoenix United 4-1 at the Wembley Centre of Excellence as the Jamaica Premier League kicked off on Sunday.

It was the first opening game win for Montego Bay United since they entered the island’s top club competition in 2011.

Mt Peasant FA and Arnett Gardens also made winning starts Sunday, beating Portmore United and Dunbeholden United respectively.

Mt Pleasant beat Portmore United 2-0 while a first half double from Warner Brown carried Arnett Gardens to a 3-0 win over Dunbeholden in the late game.

At Wembley, recent additions Jordan Britto and Shaniel Thomas got on the score sheet for Montego Bay United in their spanking of Vere Phoenix which ended the game with 10 players after goalkeeper Mikhail Harrison was sent off in the 84th minute for a second yellow card.

Britto gave MBU the lead after only six minutes when he headed home a curling free kick but Damion Thomas equalized for Vere Phoenix in the 10th minute as they went to the half time break locked at 1-1.

However, it was all MBU in the second half as they scored three times in 15 minutes. Brian Brown restored their lead in the 71st minute, captain Owayne Gordon made the score 3-1 in the 77th minute and substitute Thomas added the fourth in the 86th minute.

Coach Theodore Whitmore started his second stint at Mt Pleasant FA on a winning note with goals from Sue-Lae McCalla in the 26th minute and Daniel Green in time added at the end of the first half.

In the third game, Brown grabbed two quick goals, in the eighth and ninth minutes, while Kimani Arbouine added a third in the 54th minute to secure all three points for Arnett Gardens.
-Paul A Reid