Pressure, what pressure? - Peart downplays UWI slump after ending winless streak

UWI FC's worst ever run of five games without a win in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL), came to an end yesterday at the UWI Bowl, as goals from Oshane Jenkins, Andrae Bernal and Patrick Brown saw them to a 3-1 win over Sandals South Coast FC.

Apart from their RSPL debut in the 2015/2016 season, where the Marcel 'Fuzzy' Gayle coached side lost their first three matches, the university team has never been beaten three consecutive games or gone five games without three points since.

However, assistant coach Andrew Peart said the five games winless streak was not a concern as they are more focused on doing well at the business end of the season.

"We lost three straight to close out the year and then we drew the first two to start the year, so it was very important for us to win today. But the five game winless streak was not such a concern for us," he said.

THE REAL TEST

"Our objective at the end of the season is to be in the top six. There will be dips (in form) and that is expected, but the real test of the team is when you can find your way out of a quagmire," he continued.

Although the win was a morale boost, Peart believes a result against Arnett Gardens on Thursday will be a bigger statement of their ambitions.

"They (Arnett) are second and it will be a much tougher game. So if we want to be in the final or win the league, we have to show we can beat Arnett Gardens on their home turf," he reasoned.

Although Arnett are going through their off field issues, Peart believes they are still very dangerous, as they have proven all season.

"The football is not just what happens on the pitch, there are situations around the team or an individual. Just like them we also had issues.

At UWI, Sandals dominated the first half and wasted numerous chances. UWI took the lead against the run of play through Jenkins in the 11th minute. But Ron Daley equalised on 19 minutes with a header.

However, UWI controlled the second-half and added goals through Bernal (62) and Brown (90+3) to seal the win.

UWI: Amal Knight, Taneil McKenzie, Deighton Stuart, Rochane Smith, Girvon Brown - (Deno Schaffe 86th), Andrae Bernal - (Stephen Barnett 74th), Patrick Brown, Oshane Jenkins, Ramoun Reid, Kemoy Atkinson, Keammar Daley (Shuwayne Barrett 70th).

Subs not used: J Henry, A Thenstead, A Greenland, J Wallace

Goals: O Jenkins 11th, A Bernal 62nd, P Brown 90+3

Bookings: P Brown 90+2

Sandals: O'Brian Vennor, Maliki Reid, Junior Neil, Delroy Davis, Odrland Harding, Orane Warren, Jamar Purcell - (Cavel Blake 74th), Romaine Bennett - (Denmark Gillings 68th), Ron Daley, Dane Spence - (Claudious Blackburn 59th), Leonard Rankine.

Subs not used: J Stewart, N Grant, L Aikens, J Brown.

Goals: R Daley 19th

Bookings: C Blake 88th, Maliki Reid 90+2