New high for Molynes United
Published:Monday | April 24, 2023 | 12:57 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
For the first time since they were promoted to local top-flight football, Molynes United have hit the 30 points marker.
Yesterday, Jason Wright netted a hat-trick for Molynes United in an entertaining 4-3 win over Tivoli Gardens in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) at the Waterhouse Mini-stadium.
In Molynes’ first season in the JPL, the aborted 2019-20 campaign, the club finished with 29 points from 29 games. The season was then cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with four games remaining in the preliminary round.
In the truncated, one-round 2021 season, they finished with seven points from 11 matches. Then last season, they ended with 15 points from 22 matches, and coach Alex Thomas said it was an achievement for a club of their size to reach 30 points in the league.
“We want to put as many points as possible on the board and finish strong because 30 points is a great accomplishment for a club like Molynes United, and we can only get better,” he said.
In a match, which was open and produced several attacks from both sides from the first whistle, Molynes went ahead through Wright’s penalty after 18 minutes.
However, Tivoli drew level with a penalty of their own from Rodico Wellington in the 28th minute.
Tivoli then took the lead six minutes later thanks to another penalty, which was again converted by Wellington.
Molynes were, however, on level terms four minutes after when Nicholas Nelson fired home a freekick to make the score 2-2 going into the half-time break.
Five minutes into the second half, Molynes regained the advantage when Wright broke in behind and lobbed Nicholas Clarke in goal.
That lead did not last long as Alton Lewis tied the game for Tivoli in the 67th minute when he finished off a well worked move down the right.
However, that did not last long either as in the 77th minute, Wright turned home a low cross from five yards to claim his hat-trick and give Molynes a 4-3 lead.
Tivoli kept Molynes on the backfoot as they hunted the equaliser, and although they had numerous opportunities to do so, they failed to add another to their tally.
“It was a very close encounter. We expected Tivoli to come at us. But the team showed fight and grit, and well done to them. It was an open game, and we kept letting Tivoli back in the game, but we knew we could pull it off, and we did,” Thomas stated.
Molynes remain in ninth position in the points table with 30.
Tivoli coach Jermaine Johnson said indiscipline is hurting his team.
“I am very disappointed. We have to know how to keep a point. Indiscipline has crept in, and that is costing us.
“We have to work for each other, the team, and the community, and I do not see the fight. We have to try and keep a clean sheet,” he commented.
Nevertheless, Tivoli’s survival is assured after Faulkland lost to Arnett Gardens. Tivoli stay in 11th on 19 points. Faulkland are eight points adrift, with two games to go.
Yesterday’s results
Faulkland 0 Arnett Gardens 2
Portmore 1 Humble Lion 1
Waterhouse 1 Cavalier 0
Montego Bay 0 Harbour View 1
Today’s games
5 p.m: Dunbeholden vs Vere
7:30 p.m: Mount Pleasant vs Chapelton
Both games will be played at Ashenheim Stadium, Jamaica College.