Arnett look to silence Mt Pleasant's fans

It should be a full house at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex this evening when leaders Mount Pleasant Academy visit former champions Arnett Gardens at 7 p.m.

Since entering the league this season, the high-spending outfit from St Ann has stood out not only for their level of play, but for their large band of travelling supporters. Their supporting base can only be rivalled by the home team, Arnett Gardens. Add the neutrals to this number, and the stadium could be bursting at the seams.

But while crowd support will play a major part in the game, of primary importance to the coaches will not be winning in the supporters' stakes, but getting the three valuable points on the field.

"We are extremely focused. What is important for us is the concentration. We are leading the league, and it will get harder for us.

"We have to be mindful of complacency," said Donovan Duckie, whose team took over the lead following Portmore United's 2-2 draw with Waterhouse and Tivoli Gardens' 1-3 loss to Humble Lion.

 

REQUIRED A TURNAROUND

 

To remain at the top of the table, Mount Pleasant will have to outscore Arnett Gardens, which would require a turnaround in their goalscoring production. Mount Pleasant have registered just nine goals from their nine games, a return that only betters the bottom four teams. Of those goals, Devon Hodges accounts for five while Cardel Benbow and Kemar Beckford have two each.

Arnett Gardens have been without their head coach, Jerome Waite, who is away on national duties with the country's Under-20 team. Eugene Williams has been deputising well, earning one draw and a comfortable 3-1 win. For him, this game calls for them to deliver to their fans.

"One could say it is just another game, which it is, but it means a lot to us.

"Mount Pleasant have spent heavily and have brought in a lot of good players, which makes them a competitive and hyped team, but we have to prepare ourselves for all teams," said Williams, who also distinguished himself as a player for the club.

Arnett Gardens' chances of getting a positive result will be aided by Fabian Reid's return to goalscoring form, which Williams describes as 'a major plus'. He should be supported by Marvin Morgan, Jamiel Hardware, and Kemal Malcolm.

Mount Pleasant have been boosted by the fitness of Daniel Green and Ricardo Dennis which will give them more goalscoring options.

 

Today's games:

 

- 7 p.m: Arnett Gardens vs Mount Pleasant FA - Anthony Spaulding Complex

- 5 p.m: Cavalier vs Humble Lion - Stadium East

- 3 p.m: Reno vs Harbour View - STETHS

- 3 p.m: Portmore United vs Montego Bay United - Prison Oval

- 3 p.m: UWI FC vs Dunbeholden - UWI Mona, Bowl

 

 

Tomorrow's game:

 

8:35 p.m: Waterhouse vs Tivoli Gardens - Waterhouse Stadium

 

Point standings

 

Teams P W D L GF GA GD Pts

Mt Pleasant 9 5 2 2 9 6 3 17

Tivoli 9 5 1 3 9 7 2 16

Portmore 9 4 3 2 13 8 5 15

UWIFC 8 4 2 2 11 6 5 14

Arnett 9 4 2 3 12 11 1 14

Cavalier 9 3 3 3 13 10 3 12

H. Lion 9 3 3 3 12 10 2 12

Waterhouse 8 2 4 2 11 8 3 10

Reno 9 3 1 5 5 10 -5 10

M. United 9 2 4 3 7 13 -6 10

H.View 9 2 2 5 7 15 -8 8

Dunbeholden 9 2 1 6 8 13 -5 7