Cavalier end Portmore’s unbeaten streak
Published:Monday | April 17, 2023 | 12:34 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
League leaders Cavalier ended Portmore United’s seven-match unbeaten streak in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) with a 2-0 win at the Ashenheim Stadium, Jamaica College, yesterday.
Collin Anderson moved to 16 goals for the season with a 12th-minute strike, and Christopher Ainsworth sealed the win for Rudolph Speid’s team with a well-taken goal in the 73rd minute.
It was the second time this season that Cavalier were ending an unbeaten run by Portmore, and coach Speid commended the team’s defensive application while giving special credit to his front three of Anderson, Dwayne Atkinson, and Ronaldo Webster for making the difference.
“We just came out and decided to be very resolute in defence. We didn’t give them any looks at our goal, and upfront we have some of the best players. I think the best front three,” he commented.
Speid shifted Webster from his customary left side upfront into attacking midfield to help disrupt their opponents’ flow in the middle, and he thought the tactic worked to perfection.
“Webster did a very good job on the central midfielder. Anderson only knows to score goals, and Dwayne Atkinson has been the assist king with 12 so far this season.
“So the odds were always in our favour even though it may not have looked that way at the outset,” he said.
After a cagey start, Cavalier got an early breakthrough when Atkinson stole possession off Lamar Walker and floated a wonderful left-footed pass over the top and into the path of Anderson, who lobbed goalkeeper William Benjamin to stretch his lead over Trevante Stewart at the top of the scoring charts to two.
Cavalier protected the defensive third of the pitch, and Portmore struggled initially to find room to manoeuvre. However, the St Catherine club started to find space in the last 10 minutes of the half, and Chevaughn Walsh slammed a shot that hit the bar in the 37th minute.
Goalkeeper Vino Barclett also had to be alert to stop Stephen Young’s header moments later. And in time added, Rodolph Austin had a ferocious freekick that just missed the upright.
There was little action in the the second half despite Portmore having majority possession until Webster picked up a pass on the half-line, wormed his way through a couple of players before finding an unmarked Ainsworth, who evaded Benjamin and slotted home.
“The win puts us in a position to dictate whether we finish first or second,” Speid added.
His counterpart, Philip Williams, said it was disappointing the way they conceded.
“We did well to possess the ball, but it was disappointing how we conceded, areas that we worked on all week,”Williams said.
Cavalier moved to 46 points, three clear of Arnett Gardens who play today.
Portmore, on 35 points, remain in sixth but could be surpassed by Waterhouse (34) or joined on points by Dunbeholden (32). Both teams meet today.
Meanwhile, Chapelton Maroons became the first team to be relegated after they were whipped 4-0 by Humble Lion at Effortville.