Dunbeholden, Arnett look to maintain top-six spots
Published:Monday | January 15, 2024 | 12:10 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
A clash between top-five teams Arnett Gardens and Dunbeholden will headline this evening’s Jamaica Premier League (JPL) Monday night double-header at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.
Both teams are coming off defeats and the coaches will be very aware that earning points is crucial at this stage, as their places in the top six are not safe.
Dunbeholden lost their last match 2-0 to Harbour View while Cavalier dismissed Arnett 3-0 in their last game.
Dunbeholden coach Lenworth Hyde said his team is looking to start the second round on a high, and will be gunning for maximum points when the game kicks off at 7:30 p.m..
SECOND ROUND
“It is the start of the second round and we have to start good. We drew with them in the first round but we definitely want to start the second round on a high.
“We are in the top six and we have to try and maintain our spot up there. So we have to go and look the three points. It’s going to be tough but we are prepared for it,” he said.
He pointed out that Arnett will be highly motivated to return to winning ways. The return of leading scorer Nicholas Nelson and midfielder Fabian McCarthy put them in a much better position to get the win.
“We trained well this week. Nelson and McCarthy are back in the team, so we will have a strong outfit to go out and get three points and try to keep our spot in the table.
“Arnett are coming off a loss also, so it is going to be a tough game. So we will have to work hard also,” he added.
Arnett were flying at the start of the season and were second in the table after six games. However, in the last few matches, results haven’t gone the Xavier Gilbert-coached team’s way, and they have slipped three places down to fifth.
Fabian Reid’s return has, however, given a massive boost to the ‘Junglists’ attack, and the forward, who had a frustrating day against Cavalier in their last match, will be looking to put that performance behind him.
Arnett are currently on 24 points while Dunbeholden are three points behind.
A win for Dunbeholden would put them level on 24 points but behind on goal difference.
However, a win for Arnett would lift them one place into fourth above Tivoli Gardens, who also have 24 points but a better goal difference.
OPENING GAME
In today’s opening game at 5 p.m., Vere United will fancy their chances against the struggling Molynes United.
The Linval Dixon-coached Vere won five times in the first round and will be looking to continue their good showing in the league with a win over their lowly opponents.
Molynes have, however, shown improvement under coach Jermaine Thomas, who has guided them to their only win of the season. So they, too, will be thinking they can get something from this match. Vere are eighth on 18 points and Molynes are 12th on eight points.