High-riding Arnett to set the record straight against Cavalier

AFTER ENDING the first round of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) in fine style, second-place Arnett Gardens, kick off the second stanza against the only team to beat them, Cavalier, at Sabina Park at 5:15 p.m. this evening.

The Rudolph Speid-coached Cavalier snatched victory on the opening day, courtesy of a Shaneil Thomas goal in added time.

However, Arnett coach Paul ‘Tegat’ Davis insists that while revenge will not be on the team’s mind, kick-starting the round on a positive note will be paramount.

“Cavalier defeated us 2-1 in the first game, so it will not be an easy game. They are a good team. They move the ball a lot and they have a lot of skill.

“They are young and vibrant and they want to play, and when you have the energy to do what you want to do, it make you dangerous. So we hope to contain them.

“But we will look and see what we have to do. If it is a counter-attack or we have to play open, we will do what we have to do,” said Davis.

“We just want to win the game. If we cannot win, we make sure that we do not lose. But we want to win and stay up at the top,” he said.

Speid reasoned that their win over Arnett in the first game of the season holds no significance for this game, because their opponent has grown leaps and bounds since.

The defending champions have also lost defender Jamoi Topey to Mount Pleasant in the transfer window. Nevertheless, Speid contends they can beat any team in the league on their day, once they get their tactics right.

“That first game, maybe they weren’t as ready as yet. So I am not reading anything into that game, because they have remained unbeaten since.

“They have been on a really good run. They have beaten all the top teams and they have players with quality. I like how they play,” said Speid.

HARD TO MANAGE

“But, on our day, we are very hard to manage and we plan to come with our A game. We are the champions and we are not perturbed by their form.

“I expect them to come with their normal up-tempo game. They have gotten better defensively because they haven’t conceded any goals in the last two games but they should be wary of us too,” Speid cautioned.

In other matches Sunday, at Wespow Park, Montego Bay United take on Waterhouse and Mount Pleasant entertain Humble Lion at Drax Hall.

In the opening game at Sabina Park, Molynes United face Harbour View. All these matches start at 3 p.m.

Dunbeholden lead the standings with 25 points, followed by Arnett in second with 24, then Waterhouse on 23.

Mount Pleasant hold fourth place with 19 points, but they are only ahead of Cavalier on goal difference.

Portmore occupy the sixth and final play-off spot with 14 points, one more than Harbour View and two ahead of Tivoli.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Today’s Games

Montego Bay vs Waterhouse at Wespow Park – 3 p.m.

Humble Lion vs Mount Pleasant at Drax Hall – 3 p.m.

Molynes United vs Harbour View at Sabina Park – 3 p.m.

Cavalier SC vs Arnett Gardens at Sabina Park – 5:15 p.m.