Dunn, Wright trade hat-tricks in Tivoli win

JUSTIN DUNN reclaimed top spot on the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) goal-scoring chart after netting a hat-trick in Tivoli Gardens’ 6-3 win over Molynes United at the Anthony Spaulding Complex yesterday.

Dunn, who got goals in the 16th, 18th, and 89th minute, took his tally to 14 for the season, three ahead of Waterhouse’s Javane Bryan and Molynes’ Jason Wright, who also had a hat-trick in the match.

Before this game, Dunn had netted only three goals in the second round, but yesterday’s performance was an indication that he is back near his best.

“I picked up an injury, so I was not playing to my full potential. I was thinking about it, but I am working on the injury and trying to find back my explosiveness.

“I can say that I am getting back to my best. Today, I had two quick goals and could have had a first-half hat-trick, but from I start scoring, I am not going to stop scoring,”he said.

Dunn opened the scoring early in the contest with a crisp volley from inside the box.

He then extended that lead two minutes later when he was brought down inside the area and converted from the spot to make it 2-0.

The striker had a great opportunity to seal his hat-trick after 22 minutes but dragged his shot from six yards, with goalkeeper Peter Harrison at his mercy. Later, his flashing header from Alton Lewis’ freekick went just wide.

Wright pulled a goal back for Molynes, converting a sitter from close range to make it 2-1 at the interval.

Eight minutes after the break, Molynes restored parity through Wright’s penalty, but Tivoli retook the lead in the 67th when Steve Clarke ran through and clipped the ball past Harrison.

However, Wright brought Molynes back to 3-3 with his hat-trick on 72 minutes though he required two bites of the cherry to finish the chance.

That did not last long as two minutes later, captain Odean Pennycook headed the ball off the boot of a defender to score from three yards and put Tivoli back in the driver’s seat.

Rodico Wellington then added another in the 82nd minute to restore Tivoli’s two-goal advantage before Dunn sealed the win with another penalty in the last minute.

Tivoli coach Jerome Waite was also pleased to go second in the table.

“This is a team that has been struggling for years. So it’s a great opportunity to find ourselves in this position and a good feeling,” he said.

“We have three more games and that (finishing second) is in the back of our minds. And once we continue to win and score goals, we don’t see us finishing less than second.”

The win left Tivoli in a four-way tie with Portmore, Arnett, and Cavalier on 45 points, five behind leaders Mount Pleasant.

Molynes remain 10th with 23 points.