After seeing Phoenix Chapelton Maroons register consecutive victories in the new Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season, head coach Donovan Duckie believes the club is in a good place as they seek to be a contender in the league.

The new look Clarendon-based outfit, under the ownership of Craig Butler and daughter Kaycie, registered a 2-0 win over Harbour View at Stadium East on Sunday, thanks to goals from Brazilian Macros Roas Filho and Carlton Brown.

It’s the first time in the club’s history that it has won its opening two games, and Duckie says the team spirit has been a major factor in the early success.

“It’s not just about any one person at Phoenix, we are an entire family. Today, we had some good vibes at our place before we came to the game. So all of that is coming over, it’s not just football on the field – it’s the camaraderie and the work of everybody, so kudos to the guys,” he said.

“The owners from Craig Butler, [myself], even the president, our assistant coach – everyone is doing their part and the most important stakeholders, the players. They are very disciplined, they work hard in training, they train with a high level of confidence in them and yes, it’s early days, but you know, we are seeing the reward.”

Following Vere United’s relegation, the Butler-run entity took the reins at Chapelton Maroons with Duckie getting the nod as the club’s new head coach.

Despite offers to go elsewhere, the experienced Duckie says he has complete trust in the programme provided by the ownership.

“I’ve turned down eight head coach jobs – jobs that were about Donovan Duckie only. Craig [is] my good friend for over two decades – I’ve always been at Phoenix so I turned down eight jobs to be here, to be a part of this,” he said.

“I don’t want to be in charge of any programme again, football has evolved. You see internationally where six, seven, eight coaches are running one team so, at Phoenix, this is the direction that we want to go. It’s the entire staff that is driving this along with our technical director that is giving the direction,” Duckie added.

Unlike Duckie, Byjeon Thomas is yet to register a win since becoming head coach of Harbour View. But he’s confident the team can turn things around quickly.

“I’m happy with the squad. It’s just the application that we pushed forward for this game,” he said.

“It’s a marathon, not a sprint so we just have to go on the training ground, assess things, speak to the players, speak to the coaching staff and see how we adjust things,” Thomas noted.

Like Harbour View, Tivoli Gardens FC are awaiting their first win of the season after a goalless draw against Portmore United in the second game of the double-header at Stadium East.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS

Harbour View 0, Phoenix Chapelton 2

Spanish Town Police 0, Dunbeholden 1

Waterhouse 1, Racing 2

Portmore United 0, Tivoli Gardens 0

Harbour View forward Oquassa Chong (left) sees his effort saved by Phoenix Chapelton Maroons goalkeeper Prince-Daniel Smith as Phoenix Chapelton Maroons player Kevin Graham (second left) and Anderson Silva look on during the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League encounter at Stadium East on Sunday.

Tivoli Gardens FC midfielder Kimarley Smith (left) skips past Portmore United defender Clayton Peck Phoenix during the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League contest at Stadium East on Sunday. The game ended 0-0.

DUCKIE… it’s the camaraderie and the work of everybody, so kudos to the guys

THOMAS…it’s a marathon, not a sprint