Tough task for Cavalier

It will be an uphill task for Cavalier when they travel to Drax Hall to take on the confident and improving Mount Pleasant Academy in the Red Stripe Premier League, in one of five games on today, with another scheduled for tomorrow.

The injury-hit team managed to claw their way back from a 0-3 deficit to lose 2-3 to Tivoli Gardens on Monday last and will be even more short-staffed against a tougher opposition away from home. Against Tivoli Gardens they were without seven of their defenders and a number of other key players.

“We have even more injuries than we did against Tivoli Gardens. We have one of the best offence, but one of the worst defences so it will be an uphill task we know,” coach Rudolph Speid said about his team ahead of today’s game.

He added: “To have six defenders injured, including our centre half pair of Kamoy Simpson and Ryan Depass, which is one of the most unusual things I have ever seen. We also have three suspended for disciplinary reasons. Chevone Marsh, our captain, is out because of an accumulation of cards and Alex Marshall will not be risked, so you see the magnitude of the task we face.”

Mount Pleasant, on the other hand, are seeing things fall into place for them. They have closed the gap at the top of the table to four points, which satisfies coach Paul ‘Tegat’ Davis just fine.

BENCHMARK

“We are using Waterhouse as the benchmark to give us a push to where we want to be. Our aim is to win the title and we want to keep playing well to be within striking distance,” Davis said.

Two of the things which most pleased Davis are the fact that a number of players are responsible for the goals scored and that there is no complacency among his charges.

“I coach a rounded team where anyone can score and that is what you see playing out. The other thing is that all our players are competitive and want to play, so there is no room for complacency, because if you fail to produce, then someone else will play. So to keep playing, players have to perform and they understand that,” explained Davis.

Kemar Beckford leads the team’s scoring with 8 goals, but Jourdaine Fletcher, Cardel Benbow, Kevaugh Isaacs, Francois Swaby, Daniel Green and others have found the back of the net for the team.

While rich in talent and current performance, Davis made it clear that Cavalier have quality and will not be taken lightly. Even without the offensive duo of Marsh and Marshall, Cavalier will still have the services of Nicholas Hamilton and youngsters Shaneil Thomas, Dwayne Allen and Renaldo Webster. Leonardo Rankine should also be a force for them.

At the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex, home team Arnett Gardens will be looking to tighten their grip on third place and keep the pressure on Mount Pleasant with a win over the sometimes tough Dunbeholden, who will be looking to work their way out of the bottom half of the table.

Tivoli Gardens’ improved run was spoilt by the midweek 0-1 loss to Waterhouse in a rescheduled game, but they will be fancying their chances against 11th-place UWI FC.

Fifth-place Portmore United should welcome the visit of bottom-of-the-table Vere United, who could encounter more misery if things go according to plan. Cory Burke has unplayable for Portmore United and if he gets going with support from Rondee Smith with whom he has struck up an excellent understanding, then it could be a productive day for the home team.

Harbour View occupy sixth position, but it is not a very comfortable occupation. They are struggling to find consistency in their play and performance but if they could surprise fourth-place Humble Lion, they would have given themselves an early Christmas present.

Today’s Games:

- 3 p.m. Tivoli Gardens FC vs UWI FC @ Edward Seaga Complex

- 3 p.m. Portmore United FC vs Vere United FC @ Prison Oval

- 5 p.m. Humble Lion FC vs Harbour View FC @ Effortville Community Centre

- 7 p.m. Mount Pleasant FA vs Cavalier FC @ Drax Hall Sports Complex

- 8 p.m. Arnett Gardens FC vs Dunbeholden FC @ Anthony Spaulding Complex

Tomorrow’s Game:

- 8 p.m. Waterhouse FC vs Molynes United FC @ Waterhouse Stadium