DUNEBHOLDEN FC secured a spot in the semi-finals of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) when they held champions Cavalier FC to a 1-1 draw in a rescheduled game at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Thursday.

The result saw the former league leaders move up to 43 points, four more than third-place Arnett Gardens, with one set of matches left to play to conclude the regular season.

For Assistant Coach Ricardo Smith, the result was exactly what the doctor ordered.

“We realised that we needed a point to cement second place [so] we went out to get a good result. It was not the best result but we got what we wanted, we got what we came for,” he said.

Dunbeholden fell behind to a 17th-minute goal from Cavalier after Dwayne Atkinson split the defence with a pass from midfield into the path of Gadial Irving down the left flank. A pinpoint-accurate cross to an onrushing Colin Anderson was then steered into the far corner past a flatfooted Damion Hyatt to make it 1-0 to the champions.

“We were sitting back and allowing them to play the ball from the back of the pitch and they worked their way into our midfield, hence they pulled us apart,” Smith said of the goal his team conceded.

He also said that his team made the tactical adjustment after they went behind, which allowed them to equalise.

“We made an adjustment to not allow them to play at the back of the pitch and we saw where they were a little bit weak there. When we pressured them, they gave us the ball, so that was the adjustment,; and off one of those presses we won the ball and won the corner, hence the goal.”

That goal came from a header from DeanAndre Thomas when he outjumped the defenders in the area and steered a right-sided corner kick from Demario Phillips into the far corner of the net, five minutes from the break.

Dunbeholden will end the regular season against Harbour View on Sunday, but Smith is already looking forward to preparation for the semi-finals.

“We are not going to kill ourselves about it [but] we would like to win the game. I think in that game you will see many different faces playing; we spoke about it already. We are going in it to win it but whatever we get, we will accept it,” he declared.

Dunbeholden’s marksman Atpaharoy Bygrave, who had missed games due to international duty, was given just over 15 minutes in the match and almost stole all three points for his team at the death.

“We intended on giving him some minutes. He could have started today but we said ,No. Just give him a little rest and give him a little break.’ He could have gotten the winner from a well -truck shot; the goalkeeper did a good job.”

Smith has promised that the fans will see a lot more of Bygrave this campaign.

“Bygrave is one of our main players and in the semi-finals and the finals you are going to see him more.”

He was however delighted that his team would not have to play the added games in a quarter-final round.

“The break is very vital, that’s why we wanted to cement the semi-final spot and not go into any play-off, which would be more games; the legs would be getting tired and the lungs.

“So, we get a little breather for two weeks to prepare…the break is welcomed and we are looking forward to it,” he concluded.

Dunbeholden have finished the regular season as runners-up to Waterhouse FC.