AFTER a week of issues surrounding the club, Vere Phoenix United Head Coach Lenworth “Teacha” Hyde says they were more motivated as they beat Molynes United 3-1 in the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League at Sabina Park on Sunday .

Goals from Roshawn Oldfield, Denzel McKenzie and Romarion Thomas gave the Clarendon-based club, under new co-owner and Technical Director Craig Butler, their first win of the season, after suffering an opening day defeat to Montego Bay United.

Controversy has surrounded the club since the start of the campaign as a number of Vere Phoenix players had registration issues with the Jamaica Football Federation’s competitions committee not granting approval, due to paperwork issues. News also emerged that Hyde and Butler, who were instructing the team from the sidelines in the first game, would receive fines going forward from the JFF as they didn’t meet the Concacaf ‘B’ coaching licence requirement as stipulated by the league.

However, with some of the challenges sorted out, Hyde says the team showed their class. “Coming off a loss, we were hell-bent on trying to get on points standing — and we did that today. We worked pretty well this week in training. We had players who played in the Manning Cup — so there were cramps and [we] had to take out some of them — but they did what was asked of them and we deserved this victory,” Hyde said.

“[The win] is very very important. We haven’t gotten in everybody as yet — we’re still waiting on a couple of players — but the ones we got in today did excellently out there so the team is going to get better and play better.”

Hyde is also confident he’ll be allowed to remain in the technical area going forward, after resolving his registration.

“The JFF knows what’s going on; they’re the ones coaching and teaching us. I did my final exam on Thursday; I did well, the money was paid up and everything, so we’re just waiting on the B licence, now,” he said.

He’s also hoping that Butler will also be allowed as the Jamaica Observer understands that he doesn’t hold a Concacaf coaching licence but a UEFA coaching licence.

“[Craig] a di general; we need him amongst us. We worked excellently together so the more, the merrier. When we have everyone on board Kyle is there helping out also so it’s a good unit, and we’re looking forward to challenge this season in the premier league,” Hyde said.

Molynes Head Coach Jermaine Thomas believes his team’s lack of offensive efficiency cost them the game.

“I thought we were very poor in front of goal. I thought we rushed things in the first half — we were on the back foot, we were late a couple of times, hence we were not pressing as we ought to. But we were [also] careless in front of goal, very careless, he said.

However, Thomas says he’s remaining patient knowing it’s their first game of the season. “We ran literally for 90 minutes. I think we were the stronger team as it relates to finishing the game but we’ll be working, still. It is for us now to go back, re-evaluate, look at the weakness, watch back the tape, and see the areas we can fix,” he said.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS

•Vere Phoenix 3, Molynes 1

•Racing United 1, Dunbeholden 0

•Humble Lion 0, Tivoli Gardens 0

•Cavalier 2, Portmore 1

Vere Phoenix United goalscorer Roshawn Oldfield (left) prepares to kick the ball as Molynes United’s Jaheim Harris looks on during the Jamaica Premier League match at Sabina Park on Sunday. (Photo: 876stream/JPL)

HYDE…the ones we got in today did excellently out there (Photo: Observer file)

THOMAS… we were on the back foot, we were late a couple of times, hence we were not pressing as we ought to (Photo: Karl Mclarty)