Mount Pleasant grab second scalp
IT WAS a carnival like atmosphere inside the Drax Hall Stadium as hundreds of spectators turned out to cheer on big spenders and newcomers Mount Pleasant Academy in their first home game of the season against Waterhouse FC in the Red Stripe Premier League competition yesterday. In fact, the venue was filled to capacity almost two hours before the 3:35 p.m. kickoff, as supporters of Mount Pleasant, decked out in their blue and white cramped inside the stadium, waving their flags and blowing horns, as Bob Marley’s song One Love echoed from a sound system inside the venue. The Donovan Duckie-coached Mount Pleasant chocked up their second straight win in the competition as they defeated his former club Waterhouse 1-0. Former Waterhouse player Kemar Beckford netted the lone goal of match in the 23rd minute.
PLEASED FAN
Sophia Smith, who journeyed from Montego Bay to watch the game, said she was very happy that Mount Pleasant got the victory. “I am glad that we won because the team played well,” Smith said. “I have been a Mount Pleasant supporter for a year now, and I will continue to support the club because, I know that we can win the Premier League.”
Mount Pleasant dominated the early proceedings but their spectators had to wait until minute 23 when Beckford arrived at the back post to head home a cross from another former Waterhouse player, Cardel Benbow. Devon Hodges came close to doubling Mount Pleasant’s lead five minutes later, but his close range effort was saved by goalkeeper Diego Haughton. In fact, Hodges squandered a number of clear-cut chances in the first half for his team.
Duckie said he was pleased with his team’s performance because they have been moving from strength to strength. “The guys have been working hard and it was difficult to motivate them after last week’s win against Portmore United, because they are on a high and I have never seen that,” said Duckie. “We were very wary of us faltering at home because when a team goes on a high it is very difficult to keep them motivated, but we worked well in training, so I am pleased with the outcome of this game.” Duckie’s opposite, Marcel Gayle, said his team played well despite the defeat. “It was a contrasting game because both teams played well,” said Gayle. “I think they were the better in the first half, but in the second half we got some chances, but faulty shooting let us down.”