‘Diamond in the rough’ Anderson nets hat trick

Cavalier head coach Rudolph Speid said striker Collin Anderson, who netted a hat trick in their 3-0 win over Tivoli Gardens in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) at the Anthony Spaulding Complex yesterday, still has a lot of room for improvement and can only get better.

Anderson scored twice in the first half and late in second half added time to register his first top-flight hat trick, which put him atop the goalscoring chart with seven goals and Cavalier into second in the standings with 16 points.

Speid said the 23-year-old was always full of potential.

“He hasn’t come of age as yet,” he admitted. “Three years ago most clubs didn’t want him, as he was at Arnett Gardens and at Molynes United. But we thought he was a diamond in the rough and believe we could work with him.

“He still misses a lot of goals but because of how regularly he gets into goalscoring positions, I think he is the most prized striker in the league. He still has a lot to learn and it is just scary if he learns more,” he said.

Tivoli showed the early initiative but did not really threaten. Cavalier went ahead after 25 minutes when an unmarked Anderson tapped home at the back post.

Speid’s team continued to look more threatening and before the break, Anderson pounced on a loose ball to stab home another at the far post to put Cavalier 2-0 up at the break.

He should have put the game to bed and secured his hat trick late in the second half but he was foiled by goalkeeper Kewong Watkins, with only the latter to beat.

However, moments later he got his hat trick when he broke through and slipped by Watkins before slotting home.

“It was a good day. I enjoyed the day, getting my first hat trick in the Premier league. Wow!” the player said.

“ The aim is to go beyond what I did last season. I am going for the top scorer title and each week I will fight until I get to that next level. So I will continue to push and work in training. I think I can get 25 goals and I will work hard towards that goal,” he added.

Tivoli coach Jermaine Johnson said there were too many blunders in defence.

“Whenever you make mistakes against good teams it will cost you. So we have to stop the soft mistakes and get it right,” he said.

Cavalier are now four points behind league leaders Mount Pleasant (20) and one ahead of Harbour View. Tivoli remained ninth with six points.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Yesterday’s results

Cavalier 3 Tivoli 0

Vere 0 Humble Lion 0

Mount Pleasant 5 Montego Bay 1

Waterhouse 1 Faulkland 0

Chapelton 0 Arnett Gardens 5

Today’s games

5 p.m: Dunbeholden vs Molynes at Anthony Spaulding Complex

7:30 p.m: Portmore vs Harbour View at Anthony Spaulding Complex