Cavalier, Proven clash in JWPL opener
DESPITE HEADING into today’s start of the Jamaica Women’s Premier League (JWPL) without their regular players, last season’s beaten finalists Cavalier are hopeful that they will kick off their season with a win when they lock horns with St. Thomas-based outfit Proven Girls Football Club at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex. Kick-off time is 2 p.m.
Everdean Scarlett, head coach at Cavalier, said his team had some hiccups in their preparation.
“We got off to a late start as I didn’t have a lot of my players in training. I also have four players overseas because they weren’t aware of the start date of the league. However, I’ve assembled a squad, but we are not where we want to be,” he stated.
Cavalier were denied the title last season as they suffered a 2-1 defeat by the Xavier Gilbert-coached Frazsiers Whip courtesy of an extra time goal by Nevillegail Able. This time around coach Scarlett stated that the body language of his players shows they are ready for a long season.
“All I ask for this season is a little bit more commitment from the players. The mood within the team is a good one and I believe that once we get started then we should move in the right direction and into the championship game,” Scarlett stated.
The day’s second encounter will see a 4 p.m. clash between home team Arnett Gardens and Royale Lakes. Ahead of that clash Tamara Williams, head coach of Arnett Gardens, stated that the players are in high spirits and she is eyeing all three points on matchday one.
“It’s good to be back in the premier league and our team has a decent balance of youth and experience. The players are raring to go and we’ll just focus on what we have to do. Hopefully we can start with a win,” she stated.
Williams added that she believes that success for the team this season would be a close to the top of the table finish in the preliminary round.
“Success would mean making it to the top four and then we’ll take it from there. I just hope all the players jell as one in quickly,” Williams shared.