Emotional Duckie praises RSPL-bound Mount Pleasant

An emotional Donovan Duckie led Mount Pleasant Football Academy to next season's Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) as joint head coach following his team's 2-1 victory against Barbican FC in the final round of the Magnum/Charley's JB promotion play-off at the Barbican Complex in St Andrew yesterday.

Duckie guided beaten finalists Waterhouse to the RSPL final last season, where they were beaten by Portmore United at the National Stadium last May.

Yesterday, Duckie was on the bench for Mount Pleasant in a technical role, giving instructions to the St Ann-based outfit.

"Two years ago, the academy was started while I was at Humble Lion. I was asked by Vannie Clarke, the principal of the school, and David Pryce to be a part of the selection. Other coaches are also there," Duckie told The Gleaner after the game.

"I would say that I am joint head coach with the senior team. I am not going to discuss my future with Waterhouse right now. I was always permanent with the junior programme. After the Waterhouse season had ended, Coach Paul 'Tegat' Davis reached out to me and asked me to step up to the senior team," he explained.

"I told him I needed rest, and they said I was needed. I have been there week in, week out, day and night every single day [as] a part of the senior programme. I am just grateful to know that they have qualified," Duckie, who is also an assistant coach of the national senior team, concluded.

GOALKEEPER SENT OFF

Mount Pleasant finished the game with 10 players after goalkeeper Bobiander Evans was shown a red card by FIFA referee Oshane Nation for indecent and abusive language in the second half.

Kesslan Hall fired Mount Pleasant into the lead in the sixth minute. However, Andrew Christie found the equaliser for the home side in the 48th minute after diminutive striker Locksley Thompson was fouled inside the penalty area.

The drama continued, and with seven minutes of stoppage time added by Nation, Barbican's captain, Ramone McGregor, handled the ball inside the area, and another penalty was awarded. Horace Sharpe stepped up and placed the ball beyond goalkeeper Nicholas Campbell in time added.

The win pushed Mount Pleasant FA to 11 points from six games, into second position behind Dunbeholden (12), who thrashed Wadadah 4-0 at Jarrett Park, also yesterday. Barbican ended on third on eight points, while Wadadah finished without a point after losing all games.

Both Dunbeholden and Mount Pleasant FA qualified for the first time for the RSPL.