JPL play-off race tightens
ST ANN, Jamaica – Four points separate the top four teams in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) as the regular season winds down and teams start getting ready for the play-offs.
Arnett Gardens lead with 43 points from 22 games, three more than Cavalier who have a game in hand, while Mt Pleasant and Harbour View are locked on 39 points each.
Humble Lion are in fifth place on 36 points, one more than sixth placed Portmore United.
Arnett Gardens missed a chance to increase their lead over Cavalier when they were held to a goalless draw by Mt Pleasant, who are now winless in their last five games and have won just once in their last eight outings.
Harbour View rebounded from their loss to Portmore with a 2-0 win over Waterhouse, with goals from Cristojaye Daley in the 19th minute and Colorado Murray in the 56th minute ensuring maximum points for the ‘Stars of the East’. The win also avenged their 4-0 loss to Waterhouse in the first round.
Portmore United replaced Waterhouse in sixth place with a 2-1 win over Tivoli Gardens and extended their unbeaten run to seven games.
Portmore scored twice in a three-minute span early in the game with Chevaughn Walsh opening the scoring in the 19th minute and Siegel Knight adding a second in the 22nd minute. Rodico Wellington pulled a goal back for Tivoli Gardens when he scored from the penalty spot in the 55th minute but could not prevent them from losing a third straight game.
Dunbeholden won back-to-back games as they chase a play-off spot, hammering Montego Bay United 4-0 in the first game at Drax Hall, with Peter McGregor and Nickoy Christian both scoring twice in a 25-minute span in the second half.
Faulkland FC came from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw with Molynes United in the other game played on Sunday.
Molynes were gifted the lead in the 36th minute when Tyshan Hill put one past his own goalkeeper but Jelani Nicholson pulled Faulkland level in the 42nd minute as they went to the halftime break tied at 1-1.
Nicholas Nelson restored Molynes United’s lead in the 61st minute but Shanoy Anderson salvaged a point for Faulkland with a goal in the 88th minute.
-Paul A Reid
