Dunbeholden look to stay in top six

Last season, their first in the Red Stripe Premier League, Dunbeholden Football Club fought to stay in the league. This year, their fight is to stay in the top six among the big boys and a chance to play for the title.

Currently, they sit in fifth position on 42 points, ahead of Arnett Gardens (41 points) and Tivoli Gardens (40 points), and a slip-up from them could see both teams squeezing them out of the coveted top six. This means that they will have to take care of business when they play away to third-place Humble Lion.

Coach Michael Cohen is very aware of the situation.

“We are not satisfied with where we are. We have two teams breathing down our necks, so we will be going for the three points in order to put ourselves in a more comfortable position,” Cohen said of the situation.

With five regular season games to go, it is not far-fetched that the two former champions could force their way past Dunbeholden with Tivoli Gardens, especially, earning good results of late. In the last two weeks, Tivoli Gardens defeated Waterhouse and Portmore United, the defending champions and last year’s beaten finalists, respectively.

DISCIPLINED APPROACH

Cohen believes that a disciplined approach by their midfield and their potent strike force are enough to get the job done for them.

“We just have to be more disciplined, especially in midfield. Once we win the midfield, we can easily win the game.

“Right now, how the team is playing, we are getting goals from all departments, so it is a positive, but in terms of the attack, Andrae McFarlane, Roshane Spence, and Rodave Murray are doing very well. Dean-Andre Thomas, our leading scorer, is also back from injury and should be involved,” Cohen said.

Today’s opponents, Humble Lion FC, have a path of their own and will be fighting tooth and nail to ensure they are not taken off course. They have 45 points in the bag with a game in hand. A win today would prop them up to 48, and another win in their outstanding game would take them to 51. If one or both of the top two teams drop points, that would see them gaining ground.

“This is a very important game, and the fact that we are playing at home makes it even more important to get the three points. Those three points can keep us in touch with the leaders,” coach Andrew Price explained.

With 30 goals, Humble Lion have scored the least in the top eight of the 12-team league, but Price has no issues with his strike force. Andre Clennon, the very physical striker, will continue to lead the line, with support from Jermaine Christian and Leonardo Jebbison.

Price’s charges may seem to have less firepower than Dunbeholden’s, but the experienced coach sees his team’s edge coming out in depth and experience.

“Our strength is really our depth and experience. There are players such as Andrew Vanzie, Gregory Lewis, and Hugh Howell, among others, who have a lot of experience, and they add depth to our squad. They provide a good example for the younger players, and, of course, there are players like Vishinul Harris and Renae Lloyd to call on,” declared the former Boys’ Town coach.

PORTMORE FAVOURITES

At the Mona Bowl, Portmore United should be fancied to return to winning ways when they take on UWI FC, who look like relegation certainties, while the Molynes United-Harbour View match could go either way.

Home advantage and quality should carry second-place Mount Pleasant past eighth-place Cavalier while Tivoli Gardens should continue their hunt for a top-six spot by collecting another three points at home against Vere United, who are favoured to join UWI FC in the lower leagues.

Today’s games

- 5 p.m.: Humble Lion vs Dunbeholden – Effortville Community Centre

- 5 p.m.: Molynes United vs Harbour View – Waterhouse Stadium

- 7 p.m.: Mount Pleasant FA vs Cavalier – Drax Hall Sports Complex

- 3:30 p.m.: Tivoli Gardens vs Vere United – Edward Seaga Complex

- 3:30 p.m.: UWI FC vs Portmore United – UWI Mona Bowl

Tomorrow’s game

- 8 p.m.: Arnett Gardens vs Waterhouse – Anthony Spaulding Complex