Classy MBU whip Vere 4-1 in JPL opener

Western outfit Montego Bay United (MBU) secured a commanding 4-1 victory over Vere United at the Wembley Centre of Excellence in Clarendon as the Jamaica Premier League kicked off yesterday.

Winning coach Rodolfo Zapata was happy that he could lead his team to a crucial opening away win.

“It was a very exciting game, and I am so proud of the performance. I think we played some beautiful football, my style of football, which is high pressing, short passes,” Zapata said.

Technical Director of Vere, Craig Butler, blamed a short-handed squad for the team’s slow start and subsequent defeat.

“First of all, congratulations to Montego Bay United. It was a hard-fought win. It was a good effort from the players that played. We were short in numbers in terms of the players we had available, with at least 14 players not able to play,” said Butler.

In a game billed as a clash between two new coaches, the Lenworth Hyde-coached Vere United were looking to get off to an impressive start against a Montego Bay United side with new coach Zapata at the helm. However, it was the Montego Bay unit who impressed when they opened the scoring early in the first half through a set piece.

Captain Owayne Gordon delivered a pinpoint free kick from the left side into the Vere box, which found the head of Jordan Britto, who capitalised on some poor marking to head home in the seventh minute.

Vere United responded positively and found an equaliser just before halftime. Lorenzo Lewin’s corner kick was initially cleared, but the ball fell back to him. His second cross into the box was met by Damion Thomas, who nodded in from close range in the 11th minute to make it 1-1.

The second half saw Montego Bay assert their dominance as the tide turned decisively in their favour, thanks to some tactical tweaks and inspirational substitution.

In the 72nd minute, Brian Brown collected a long ball from midfield and took a few touches to set himself before unleashing a left-footed rocket from 25 yards that left the Vere goalkeeper, Mikhail Harrison, with no chance.

Montego Bay continued to press and were awarded a penalty in the 78th minute when Harrison fouled substitute Shaniel Thomas after the latter had been played through on goal. Gordon calmly stepped up to slot home to extend Montego Bay’s lead to 3-1.

Things went from bad to worse for Vere when they conceded another penalty in the 87th minute. Brown, in a foot race with Harrison, was brought down, leading to a second yellow card and an early shower for the Vere goalkeeper. Thomas stepped up for the spot-kick and sealed the 4-1 victory.