Cavalier thrash Arnett 4-0 in JWPL semi-final first leg
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Cavalier’s Women turned in arguably their best performance of the season on Saturday, thrashing Arnett Gardens 4-0 in the first leg of their Jamaica Women’s Premier League semi-final at the Constant Spring field in St Andrew.
Just like the first encounter where Frazsiers Whip all but booked their spot in next Saturday’s final, beating Los Perfectos 5-0, Cavalier shocked Arnett with four unanswered goals.
The wily Shaneil Spence netted two goals in two minutes in the 49th and 51st, propelling Cavalier to their first win over the ‘Junglists’ this season and well on their way to reaching the final. Kersha Thomas had opened the scoring in the fifth minute while Tatyana Polack all but sewed up the two-legged tie when she added another in the 84th minute.
Shadie Shirley caught the Arnett backline flat-footed with a lovely ball over the top for captain Thomas to latch onto and fire past the advancing goalkeeper, Carole Kelly, to open the scoring.
Then Player of the Match Spence scored the first of her two goals, surging through the backline and powering home a left footer. Moments later, she latched onto a beautiful flick from Polack, turned the defender Tasheka Reid inside out and saw her shot tipped into the goal by goalkeeper Kelly.
Polack would deservedly get on the scoresheet, nodding home from close range, possibly putting the encounter out of the reach of the Junglists.
The return leg will be on Saturday, with Cavalier hoping to keep their hopes of achieving the unique double, following the men’s Jamaica Premier League triumph, alive.
For Arnett Gardens, the soul searching will be intense and they have their hands full in overturning that large deficit. It’s not beyond them, but it will be a most difficult task.