Western Bureau:
Coach of Humble Lion FC, Andrew Price, has described their 1-1 draw with Montego Bay United in the Jamaica Premier League yesterday as an “opportunity lost” in their bid to finish in a playoff spot.
The game was one of four played yesterday. Dunbeholden remained the leaders after a 1-0 victory over Portmore United at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex. Demario Phillips scored in second-half injury time to take the leaders to 42 points from 19 games, three ahead of Waterhouse, who have two games in hand. Portmore are 1oth with 17 points.
Cavalier remain in fifth spot with 30 points after whipping Molynes United 4-1 at the same venue. Dwayne Atkinson (55th and 58th minutes) scored twice for Cavalier while the other goals came from Collin Anderson (13th) and Richard King (26th), penalty. Molynes, who got their consolation goal from Nicholas Nelson (74th minute), are in 11th spot with 15 points.
At Wembley Centre of Excellence, Vere United blanked Harbour View 2-0. Vere are ninth with 19 points while Harbour View remain seventh with 24.
After an even first half at the WesPow Park in St James, where both teams created a few chances but failed to score, tactical manoeuvres by coach Leacroft Lettman saw hosts Montego Bay United drawing first blood. Fabian Forbes found the back of the net in the 71st minute, 13 minutes after replacing assistant coach Dwayne Ambusley.
With time running out and their chances of making the playoffs slipping away, Humble Lions found a late spark that resulted in Lorenzo Lewin finding the net five minutes before the end of regulation time. After the goal, the visitors pushed for the winner but could also consider themselves lucky as their efforts opened up numerous chances for Montego Bay United, but both teams ended up sharing the points.
It was a league-leading 10th draw for Humble Lion, and Price said after the game that if they were able to pick up maximum points in some of those games they would comfortably be in a playoff position.
“It was very important for us to get three points today. I implored the team to come out here and push hard at this Montego Bay United team, but we were a bit complacent. We didn’t start playing until the last five minutes of the game,” Price said.
“We always knew it was going to be a daunting task because we have seen the resurgence of Montego Bay United. Over the last couple of weeks, they have shown a lot of tenacity, and I warned my team that they would come to play, especially in front of their home crowd. Despite all of that, we got enough opportunities where we could have taken all three points, so I see it as an opportunity lost,” he added.
Price said they are still in with a chance at the playoffs although the result means it is certainly not in their hands.
“We are going to have to depend on other results. We have to continue working hard to get maximum points from the remainder of the matches this season and see where it leaves us. Teams ahead of us have tough games, so all we have to do is take care of our own business,” Price said.
Ambusley was pleased with his team’s performance as they have now extended their unbeaten run to three.
“It was a workmanlike performance from the team. Everyone really dug in and put in their shift. We really stuck to the task, restricting them from getting clear chances. However, not winning is the disappointing part, but such is life,” said Ambusley.
“The guys are more upbeat now and looking forward to each game. Getting five points out of a possible nine is positive, so it’s definitely a work in progress,” he added.
The result saw Humble Lion remain in eighth position with 22 points with two rounds of matches to go. They are three points behind Tivoli, who occupy the last playoff spot. Montego Bay United remain rooted at the foot of the table with 10 points.
5 p.m: Arnett Gardens vs Mount Pleasant
7:30 p.m: Tivoli Gardens vs Waterhouse
Both matches at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex
Today’s games