‘Bigga’ Thompson celebrates Maroons’ triumphant JPL return
ONEIL “Bigga” Thompson, head coach of Chapelton Maroons, is expressing delight after his team made a triumphant return to the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League competition on Monday.
The Maroons, who were demoted two seasons ago, recorded a hard-fought 2-1 victory over former premier league champions Harbour View FC in the opening match of double-header at Anthony Spauldings Sports Complex.
Javel Ellis, in the 12th minute, and Nathaniel Howe in the 63rd were the goalscorers for Chapelton.
Substitute Andre Fagan scored for Harbour View in the 60th minute.
Thompson, a former national player, said he was happy for the victory because it will breathe a lot of confidence into his players.
“Every team in the premier league prepares to win their first game but sometimes it goes with you and sometimes it goes against you. I am feeling extremely pleased to start off the season with three points,” he said. “However, we can be more consistent in terms of our execution and our progression — and that is something that we have to work on going forward in this league — but so far I am satisfied with the performance of the team.”
The Maroons got off to a dream start when the fleet-footed Ellis pounced inside the 18-yard box to fire past Harbour View’s goalkeeper Romario Palma.
The Maroons, who dominated most of the first period, created several scoring opportunities but faulty shooting from their attackers let them down.
Diego McKenzie received Harbour View’s best scoring chance in the first half, but his powerful shot from 12 yards went wide of the target as the Maroons held a 1-0 at half-time.
Fagan, who came on to the field at the start of the second period, got the equaliser for Harbour View when he headed home a well-measured cross from Tahair Lawrence.
Howe restored Chapelton’s lead three minutes later with a well-taken volley against the run of play from 18 yards.
Harbour View’s defender Romaine Brackenridge was disappointed with his team’s efforts.
“We are a young unit and, despite the result, the guys came out and tried their best and we just have to take the positives and build going forward.
“It is a long season and there are a lot more games ahead, and we still have players that will come into the team, and so you can expect better things — going forward — from us,” he said.
