Molynes pull clear of bottom two with narrow win

Molynes United pulled further away from the bottom two in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) yesterday after a 3-2 win over Humble Lion at the Stadium East field.

In a game of two halves, Molynes ripped their opponents apart in the first half and raced to a 3-0 lead. Humble Lion then rallied with two second-half goals, but Jermaine Thomas’ team held on for their third win in six matches.

Thomas was elated with the three points.

“We really started well and got three goals and could have had a few more. We knew Humble Lion were going to push numbers forward (second half), and they did, and we never handled that well,” he said.

“At this stage of the competition, however, three points are the order of the day. When I came here we had four, now we have 14, and for me that’s a plus even though I am not entirely happy with what I saw today.”

Molynes were off to a great start as after just eight minutes into the match, Sergini Frankson rose to head home Enrique Gordon’s corner.

Two minutes later, Romario McPherson blasted a good chance over the bar as Molynes gradually took control of the contest.

They could have increased their lead soon after had they been more decisive in the final third, with Devone Davis and Jermy Nelson wasting good opportunities.

However, Tyrique Wilson gave Molynes a deserved second goal, whipping a freekick past Shamal Briscoe in the 41st minute.

Humble Lion coach Vassell Reynolds made a double substitution before the break in an effort to slow down Molynes’ momentum. The winners were flying, and Jason Wright fired home after a good build-up to make it 3-0 in first-half added time.

Humble Lion came out with a lot more purpose in the second period and got a goal back in the 67th minute when Karim Bryan got loose and fired past Peter Harrison.

The Clarendon side got another when a static Molynes defence allowed Chandol Anderson to arrive unmarked in the box and place a header inside the far post.

Although they created a few openings in the late stages, Molynes held on to secure the victory.

“We gave up the game from the first 30 minutes as we played with no energy in the first half,” Reynolds said.

“For me it wasn’t anything tactical that Molynes were doing better than us. We were just not committed enough. We didn’t move with any form of urgency, and they were all over us.

“But we saw more energy and intensity second half, and that’s what we expected and what we had planned for in the first half.”

Molynes remain in 12th with 24 points, just two adrift of Harbour View and four behind Humble Lion, who are 10th on 18 points.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

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