‘I DON’T CARE’
Speid unfazed by Cavalier’s failure to secure JPL automatic semi-final spot
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — Montego Bay United edged defending champions Cavalier FC 1-0 in the Jamaica Premier League on Sunday to maintain their second position in the points table with one match day remaining in the regular season.
Jordain Fletcher’s second-half goal was the difference in the contest at the Montego Bay Sports Complex as the hosts improved to 75 points, 15 behind table toppers Mount Pleasant FA. Montego Bay are two points ahead of Arnett Gardens FC.
The defeat for Cavalier, who are on 66 points, means they have no chance of getting the second automatic semi-final spot and will have to work their way through the play-offs to reach the last four.
Rudolph Speid, Cavalier’s technical director, shrugged off any concern about facing that challenge.
“I don’t care about those things, to be honest,” he said when asked about any possible disadvantage. “I don’t try [to] play God. Whatever comes our way, we will work with it.”
He told the Jamaica Observer that a hectic schedule, littered with rescheduled games after their historic run in the Concacaf Club Championship, had taken a toll on his squad, which has been affected by injuries.
“We came here with 14 players and even some who played are carrying injuries. So my main focus is what we’re going to do from here on in, because right now we know we qualified [for the play-offs], and we are going to be fourth or maybe even fifth, so we know who our opponent is going to be. We know where we are going to be, so we have to plan accordingly,” Speid reasoned.
The winner on Sunday was Fletcher’s 10th goal of the season. He is the third Montego Bay player to reach double figures this season, joining Shaniel Thomas and Brian Brown.
Paul “Tegat” Davis, the Montego Bay United head coach, noted that he was also missing a few players, but said he had coverage because of the depth in the squad.
“This is what is good for the team. We have a deep squad, when players are out other players get a chance to play, so we just have to use those players and continue to work hard.”
Montego Bay and Cavalier ended 1-1 in their two previous meetings this season.
Davis said he was pleased with this Sunday’s performance.
“We played well, we came in with a game plan and the players executed it well. This is a very good team we played against, the defending champions, and they also played well,” he said.
Montego Bay went into the match after losing to Mount Pleasant last week and needed a win to stay in contention for the semi-final spot.
They got off to a fast start, with Brown just missing with an acrobatic effort in the opening minute.
Despite several good chances, Montego Bay United had to wait until the 56th minute to score.
The goal came when a Cavalier player gave up possession of the ball just outside the 18-yard box and Fletcher was on it in a flash, dribbling away to fire the ball low and hard into the corner of the goal.
SUNDAY’S RESULTS
Montego Bay 1, Cavalier 0
Waterhouse 0, Arnett Gardens 2
Mount Pleasant 3, Molynes 0
Dunbeholden 1, Portmore 0
Chapelton 2, Tivoli Gardens 2
Racing 2, Humble Lion 1
Harbour View 6, Vere Phoenix 0
SPEID… whatever comes our way, we will work with it
Cavalier FC goalkeeper Vino Barclett (left) prepares to block an attempt from Montego Bay United’s Brian Brown (right) as defender Richard King chases back during the Jamaica Premier League football match at Montego Bay Sports Complex in St James on Sunday. (Photo: Paul Reid)
