Brown scores brace in Dunbeholden’s 3-1 win
Published:Tuesday | April 25, 2023 | 1:19 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Dunbeholden kept their slim hopes of qualifying for the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) play-offs alive after coming from a goal down to beat Vere United 3-1 at the Ashenheim Stadium, Jamaica College, last night.
Rohan Brown led the way for last season’s beaten finalists with strikes in the 67th minute and added time, while Jevon Fletcher netted the other in the 80th minute.
Jason Dyer had given Vere hopes of a fourth victory this season, after his goal in the 57th minute.
Coach Harold Thomas noted the midweek Lynk Cup KO games have taken a toll on the Dunbeholden players and he credits their “resilience” and the intensity of his young substitutes for turning the result around.
“The team is really tired. We played three games in seven days and a 120-minute game against Tivoli and we do not have the depth.
“But the resilience is there in the team and we have some young players who we put in to do the job and it paid off,” he said.
He also singled out double goalscorer Brown for mention.
“He is hungry. He has not played a lot of minutes but he wants it,” he commented.
Thomas added that they will give their best for the two remaining games and see where it leaves them.
“It is what it is. We would have let a lot of the opportunities slip by earlier in the season. If we are able to get to the play-offs, it will be good, but if not, we will have to build and come again next season,” he said.
After a goalless first half, the game kicked into life when Dyer arrived to turn in a pass across the face of goal early in the second half.
However, Brown tied the game 12 minutes later with a low shot past goalkeeper Roje Williams. Fletcher gave them the lead with a crisp strike from 12 yards, before Brown sealed the win in added time.
Vere coach Linval Dixon said the referee’s no-call following some strong tackles before the second goal cost them a result. He felt that the whistle should have been blown for a foul against his team.
“We had a very decent game but that call that the referee didn’t make in the box was frightening,” he said.
Dunbeholden move to 35 points, five points adrift of sixth-place Waterhouse and one less than seventh-place Portmore. Vere, who are safe from relegation, stayed on 19 points and 12th after the defeat.