BEST&WORST of Week 19
MOLYNES UNITED
It seemed that Molynes United were lambs to the slaughter going into their match against Waterhouse on Monday night. They have lost seven straight and confidence was at an all-time low. But they got their Christmas miracle when they needed it the most, shocking the league leaders 2-1 at Drewsland. Goalkeeper Leon Taylor did well to withstand the Waterhouse onslaught in the second half, especially late on to give new coach Calvert Fitzgerald his first win. They haven’t turned the corner yet, but the win has to be a badly needed boost to their morale. They will hope to build on this positive result in their final game of 2019 when they host Dunbeholden on Sunday.
PORTMORE UNITED
At one point in the season, questions were being asked of whether the defending champions could mount another legitimate title run after lingering below the play-off line for a good portion of the first round. But now, Portmore United are within striking distance of the top two after another home win on Sunday. Their 3-1 victory over Vere United keeps them in fifth place with 30 points, but are in a three-way tie on points with Arnett Gardens and Humble Lion, and are four points behind second-place Mount Pleasant. They will need a replacement for striker Cory Burke when he returns to Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer next month. Burke’s goals have helped tremendously in their recent four-game winning streak. Other players will have to step up to the plate to carry on the charge.
DUNBEHOLDEN
Dunbeholden were on the verge of a major win against league leaders Waterhouse on December 15, but had to settle for a point thanks to a late equaliser. They managed to make a statement against Arnett Gardens last Sunday, defeating the surging Junglists 3-0 at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex. All three goals came in the first half as they managed their fourth away win of the season and moved up to seventh place with 25 points, the same as Cavalier, but with an inferior goal difference. They are five points away from the top six, and putting in consistent performances like this will be a big help in their bid for the play-offs.
The league leaders had numerous chances to bury Molynes United in their game on Monday Night, but wasteful finishing, combined with a costly penalty late in the second half, doomed Waterhouse to their second defeat at home this season. While the gap between first and second place is four points, they will be wary of Mount Pleasant using every opportunity to close the distance even further. Their final match of 2019 comes away to Cavalier on Sunday.
MOUNT PLEASANT
Coach Paul ‘Tegat’ Davis has to be scratching his head wondering how they were not able to put away Cavalier at home. They suffered only their second defeat this season at Drax Hall, and missed a great opportunity to close the gap even further on league leaders Waterhouse, especially considering that they dropped points on Monday. It’s a strange one and they will have to be mindful because their hold on second place is under threat, as Humble Lion, Arnett Gardens and Portmore United are all within four points of that coveted automatic semi-final place. They will face UWI-FC in the final Monday night game of the year, looking to close out 2019 with a positive result.
HARBOUR VIEW
Harbour View seem to be taking one step forward and two steps back. They suffered their second straight loss at Humble Lion on Sunday, seeing them drop further down the table to eight place. They remain on 23 points, the same as Molynes United, who managed their first win since October 1 on Sunday. They are eight points clear of the drop zone, which gives them some cushion going into the new year. However, they will host a surging Portmore United on Sunday, and given their below average record at home this year, need to make a statement to conclude 2019.