KINGSTON, Jamaica — Mount Pleasant FA and Cavalier SC, finalists over the last three seasons, have closed the gap on the leaders in the Jamaica Premier League after back-to-back wins on Sunday.

Mount Pleasant FA edged Montego Bay United 1-0 at Jarrett Park, and Cavalier SC had the same scoreline against Harbour View FC as both improved to 22 points, four points off the top spot held by Racing United.

Also on Sunday, St Catherine Police FC scored their second win in three games, beating fellow promoted team Treasure Beach and Molynes United continued to move away from the relegation zone by beating Waterhouse FC 2-0.

A decisive 15-minute span early in the second half was the difference between the teams at Jarrett Park as Mt Pleasant FA won their sixth game of the season, four of their last five, while Montego Bay United lost back-to-back games for the first time this season as they continued to struggle since the restart after the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Raheem Edwards scored in the 47th minute for the win that was described as “very important” by head coach Theodore Whitmore.

“We would have achieved our objective today by winning the game,” Whitmore said, “We are behind in the points table, so three points today were necessary, and we have a couple of games in hand, but to come here and get three points, well done.”

Christopher Ainsworth scored in the 66th minute to give Cavalier SC their first win over Harbour View this season after they had played out a 0-0 draw in the first round.

Harbour View extended their run without a win to four games after they had beaten Spanish Town Police FC 5-2 in their first game since the restart after the passage of Hurricane Melissa, as they slipped back down the tables to 10th place.

St Catherine Police FC avenged their first-round loss to Treasure Beach FC, edging them 1-0 thanks to a goal in the 51st minute by Jordan Elliston, who had scored the winner against Waterhouse FC two rounds previously.

Treasure Beach finished the game with 10 players after Jahiem Harris, a second-half substitute, was sent off in the 84th minute as the St Elizabeth club suffered their first loss in four games, after they had upset Portmore United 2-0 a week earlier.

Molynes United moved up to seventh place in the tables after beating Waterhouse FC 2-0 and getting revenge for their loss in the first round.

Nickache Murray gave Molynes the lead in the 43rd minute before Wisdom Ubani came off the bench in the 58th minute to score the second goal in the 71st minute.

Meanwhile, Portmore United missed a chance to retake the lead in the points table after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Dunbeholden FC, who they had beaten 2-0 in the opening round.

— Paul A Reid