Fri | Mar 29, 2024

Williams wants a more ruthless Portmore

Published:Sunday | May 29, 2022 | 1:46 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
Williams
Williams

Dunbeholden’s Fabian McArthy (left) looks on while Portmore United’s Rudolph Austin heads the ball away during a Jamaica Premier league encounter at Sabina Park on Monday, March 14, 2022.
Dunbeholden’s Fabian McArthy (left) looks on while Portmore United’s Rudolph Austin heads the ball away during a Jamaica Premier league encounter at Sabina Park on Monday, March 14, 2022.
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After a rough start to his stint as Portmore United head coach, Philip Williams has demanded more ruthlessness in attack to enable his side to end the 2022 Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season well.

He will get the chance to see improvement in his first St Catherine derby, as Portmore United face Dunbeholden at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex at 3 p.m.

While bragging rights are at stake, second-place Dunbeholden are looking to take advantage of their game in hand and push themselves further ahead of third-place Arnett Gardens, with the gap between them down to three points.

Dunbeholden won their first meeting of the season 3-2, thanks to a brace from Peter McGregor and a 79th-minute winner from Atapharoy Bygrave. Portmore have conceded seven goals in their last five games and, while acknowledging their defensive frailties, Williams says that they need to see better execution in the final third.

“Defensively, we have been conceding the same way but, in terms of going forward in the final third, we need some more creativity and better decision-making. And, if we can get that together, we should do well for the remainder of the games,” Williams said.

Williams’ attacking problems are a concern as Portmore have not scored in their last five games. The last time that they found the net came in a 2-1 defeat to Arnett Gardens on April 10.

Dunbeholden are in the middle of a rough patch themselves and have not won in their last two games. While they are still tied on 39 points, they have only picked up one point in their last two games, and suffered defeat to Arnett Gardens in their last game two weeks ago.

CAVALIER MOTIVATED

Meanwhile, after an unsuccessful Caribbean Club Championship campaign, Cavalier will look to make their push up the table in their JPL return when they face Molynes United in the second game of the double-header.

Cavalier are currently in fifth place with 27 points but have two games in hand. Assistant coach David Laylor says that the team, despite not advancing out of their group, are more motivated than ever to continue their post-regular season push.

“We have been training (in the Dominican Republic), the camp has been lively, a little on fire. So they are looking to re-enter the Premier League. We have adjusted some things and we got some good results overseas. So we said ‘yes, we now look at going about a change in the set-up’. I am looking forward to seeing how the team has really improved,” Laylor said.

Molynes are coming off a 3-3 draw with Arnett Gardens on Monday where they had the lead in the final minutes but conceded a late equaliser.

Montego Bay United will hope to stop another team from making the play-offs as they face Humble Lion at Westpow Park at 3 p.m. At the Wembley Centre of Excellence, Vere United will take on Harbour View at 3 p.m.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com

Today’s Games

Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex

- Dunbeholden vs Portmore United @ 3 p.m.

- Cavalier vs Molynes United @ 5:15 p.m.

Wembley Centre of Excellence

- Vere United vs Harbour View @ 3 p.m

Westpow Park

- Montego Bay United vs Humble Lion @3 p.m.

Tomorrow’s Games

Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex

- Arnett vs Mount Pleasant @ 5 p.m.

- Tivoli vs Waterhouse @ 7:30 p.m.