‘Drained’ Molynes back to losing ways
Published:Monday | December 30, 2019 | 1:37 AMDaniel Wheeler/Gleaner Writer
Dean-Andre Thomas netted twice in the first half and Andre McFarlane scored early in the second as Dunbeholden grabbed all three points against Molynes United in the Red Stripe Premier league at the Constant Spring Field yesterday. Molynes equalised twice through two penalties in each half by captain Jeremy Nelson but were not able to build from their win at Waterhouse last Monday, which broke a string of seven straight defeats.
Molynes chairman Eurado Cornwall said that the lack of preparation after the Christmas period allowed rustiness to creep into the side, with the team having trained only once since the Monday night game at the Drewsland Stadium.
“With this game, I came in with an open mind because of the long holiday, I don’t think the team put in enough work physically for this game,” he told The Gleaner. “From the Waterhouse Game, Saturday was the first time we trained. I think it took a toll on them coming into this game.”
He said that the players have no excuses in terms of their preparedness, emphasising that the onus is on them to ensure that they take their jobs as professionals seriously.
“I think the team is drained,” he said. “This is what Jamaican football is lacking. When they get a break, they must remember that they are playing professional football. When you are on break, do your homework. Do not wait until you come on training today to put in the work. They had a duty and a responsibility also. So this is what’s showing, the tardiness of your players, they are not disciplined.”
Thomas opened the scoring for Dunbeholden in the ninth minute, slotting home pass Leon Taylor after a brilliant pass put him through. After Fakibi Farquharson was fouled in the penalty area, Nelson calmly placed his spot kick past Dunbeholden goalkeeper Giovanni Smith to restore parity in the 25th minute. But the scoreline would remain tied for four minutes before Thomas capitalised on some greater inter play between Nickoy Christian and McFarlane to bury his league leading 12th goal of the season.
Perfect start
Molynes carved the perfect start to the second half, equalising again in the 48th minute after referee Okelo Hamilton pointed to the spot for the second time when a Molynes player was fouled by Smith. Nelson dispatched his second penalty of the afternoon for the hosts to draw level once more. But Dunbeholden got their winner three minutes later when McFarlane headed home from close range for his fourth goal of the season. Although he was frustrated at the performance, Cornwall said that he has seen a change in the atmosphere of the locker room since hiring Calvert Fitzgerald as head coach, following the resignation of Lijasu Simms on November 28. He says that though yesterday’s loss was an opportunity missed, he hopes that he sees an improvement in their readiness for the next set of fixtures.
“I see a lot of imwprovement,” he said. “We lost the changing room [but] the discipline has come back into the team.
“Any team in the position that we are in would love a back-to-back victory. It’s just one of those days. We have to reprogramme and come again and prepare for the next game. And I hope that we have enough time in the coming week to put in some work.”