MBU host Cavalier as JPL first round comes to an end
CATHERINE HALL, St James — The first round of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) comes to an end tonight after Montego Bay United (MBU) host defending champions Cavalier FC at the Montego Bay Sports Complex, in a contest that is set to start at 7:30pm.
Two points separate the teams, with MBU in fourth place on 24 points and Cavalier FC in fifth place on 22 points with a win today pushing either team into the top three.
Mt Pleasant FA lead the table with 28 points and cannot be passed today. They sit one point ahead of Arnett Gardens, who are on 27 points with Waterhouse FC in third place on 25 points, all from 13 games played.
MBU will be the more rested of the two teams today after playing their last game — a 4-2 away win over Tivoli Gardens on December 7, while Cavalier have played three times in that period, losing 3-1 to then last-placed Chapelton Maroons at Sabina Park on Sunday.
MBU will hope home field advantage will be in their favour after they have won three of their five games played at the Montego Bay Sports Complex so far, drawing one and losing the other.
Despite beating Tivoli Gardens in their previous game, MBU played without two of their starting midfielders, Lucas Lima and Demario Phillips, as both were out with injuries and the coaching staff will hope at least one will return today.
Cavalier FC meanwhile have won two of their six away games played and were also on the losing end on their last trip to Montego Bay, last season when MBU played home games at WesPow Park.
Brian Brown is the leading scorer for the MBU team with six goals and has scored in their last two games and he is expected to lead the team again today as they seek to stay closer to the leaders.
Shaniel Thomas was part of the Cavalier FC team that went to the final of the Concacaf Caribbean Cup and then won the JPL but has since switched to MBU and no doubt he will be seeking to make his mark as well and add to the five goals he has scored already.
Jalmaro Calvin has been consistent in front of the goal for Cavalier FC and leads the team with seven strikes so far. He is expected to get help from Shaquille Stein and Dwayne Atkinson.
