Anderson’s strike puts Cavalier on top of JPL
Published:Tuesday | April 11, 2023 | 12:45 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Collin Anderson’s 27th-minute strike was all it took yesterday to give Cavalier the three points they needed to climb to the top of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) ahead of Arnett Gardens on goal difference.
Anderson capitalised on a loose ball inside the 18-yard box to slot home the winner against Humble Lion at the Ashenheim Stadium, Jamaica College. Anderson’s goal was his 15th for the season, one more than Mount Pleasant’s Trevante Stewart.
“It is the third time we were getting the opportunity to go on top and we did not capitalise on the previous occasions. So third time’s the charm,” said the Cavalier coach Rudolph Speid
“Normally we just try to get into the play-offs. But this year we are working steadily to make the top two and it is just coming to fruition.”
He noted that the Caribbean Football Union’s (CFU) allocation of four spots to Jamaica is also added incentive.
“Once you are in the semifinals, automatically you are in (CFU competition). So there is a lot to play for and we want to see if we can stay there or stay close. So this is a good step in the right direction,” Speid said.
Cavalier controlled the first half and had a number of openings before they eventually found the go-ahead goal when Anderson reacted first to a shot in the box.
Despite being outplayed, Humble Lion had a great chance for an equaliser soon after but Lorenzo Lewin headed wide of the target.
Humble Lion were a lot more purposeful after the interval, especially in the first half of the period and kept Cavalier on their toes.
However, Cavalier worked their way back into the game and Dwayne Atkinson could have put his team further ahead on a couple of occasions.
“It was a tale of two halves. In the first half, we gave them too much space and from a set play we weren’t close to the player (who scored),” said Humble Lion coach Andrew Price. “Second half we were more aggressive and played well and with a little more luck we could have got something from the game.”
Cavalier now have 43 points, the same as Arnett Gardens, but with a better goal difference.
Humble Lion remain in fifth with 36 points, one more than Portmore and two clear of Waterhouse.