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Regaining crown, western glory key for JPL’s big hitters - Battle-weary Cavalier banking on resilience against hungry Arnett Gardens
May 15, 2025
Mount Pleasant Football Academy and Montego Bay United have clearly defined goals heading into the feature Jamaica Premier League (JPL) first-leg semi-final doubleheader at the Montego Bay Sports Complex in Catherine Hall, St James, tonight. Game time is 8:30.
Mount Pleasant earned a bye in the top-six playoffs after winning the 39-match preliminary competition, while MoBay United, which placed third, defeated sixth-place Tivoli Gardens 3-2 on aggregate in their two-legged quarter-finals. The St James team won the first leg 2-1, then drew the second 1-1 on Monday.
Defending champions Cavalier will tackle Arnett Gardens in an all-Corporate Area affair in the opening match at 6 p.m. Arnett Gardens earned a bye by placing second overall, while fourth-place Cavalier defeated fifth-place Portmore United 2-1 on aggregate, by tying the opening quarter-final match 1-1, then winning 1-0 on Monday.
For today's opening clash, there is a feeling that St Ann's Mount Pleasant would have drawn extra motivation from a complaint filed against them by Cavalier for using ineligible players, which had suggested harsher penalties than a $25,000 fine by the Jamaica Football Federation's Competition's Committee.
However, assistant coach Daveon Ferguson revealed that the issue had very little impact on the club.
"For us it was just noise. We knew we were not in the wrong, so we never got embroiled in that controversy," Ferguson said.
"We are already well motivated from last season when we lost our crown. So from the start of the season our objective has been clear - we want to regain our crown."
MOST CONSISTENT
Mount Pleasant have been most consistent team this season, finishing with 93 points, 17 clear of nearest challengers Arnett Gardens in the 14-team league.
"We are primed and set to deliver. This is a knockout and it is two legs, not one. So while we won't win it in the first leg, we definitely can lose it if we are not on the ball," he stated.
Mount Pleasant went to Catherine Hall earlier this season and came away with a 1-1 draw against MoBay United, but won their other two meetings.
MoBay United's coach Paul 'Tegat' Davis declared that their mission is to return the title to western Jamaica, and is calling on Montego Bay fans to turn out in their numbers.
"It has been eight years since they (MoBay team) last won the Premier League. We just have to get the guys focused and let them know what it means for the west. Not for them, for the west. So we want the fans to come out and lift us up because we are playing for them," he said.
MoBay's centre forward, Shaneil Thomas, remains in doubt after picking up an injury in the first leg quarter-final against Tivoli Gardens. But the team welcomed back Brian Brown, who scored on his return against Tivoli in the second leg.
However, Davis said now is the time for big players to rise to the occasion.
"It is their time now. It's crunch time. You have big players, so they have to step up. Now it's the semi-finals and we have to just improve. Certain mistakes we can't make against a team like Mount Pleasant. But this is the time for it. Big players have to step up now," he stated.
CAVALIER DOMINANCE
It has been two seasons and six matches since Arnett Gardens last scored a win over Cavalier in the JPL. However, coaches Rudolph Speid of Cavalier and Arnett's Xavier Gilbert believe Arnett are in the advantageous position.
Cavalier's Speid pointed out that his team is physically drained, having played over 50 games this season. Plus there have been injuries to key strikers, Shaquille Stein, leading scorer Jalmaro Calvin is carrying a knock, while Dwayne Atkinson is not fully fit, though he is likely to start.
"I know Arnett will try to run us into the ground. They have been just sitting and waiting and I am sure they are watching and taking notes. So they have all advantage. We will also have to travel to MoBay, which will take out a lot of time out of our recuperation," he said.
"We take no confidence from fact that they have not beaten us in two years ... but Cavalier is not one of the teams that is going to lay down. We are one of the most resilient teams. And we will give our best whatever we have. This team has a winning mentality and we hope it can bring us through.," Speid stated.
Gilbert, however, is under no illusions.
"We know what we have to do and those previous results don't matter right now. It is how you execute on the day," Gilbert commented.
"It will be a tough matchup, it is not going to be easy for us. One thing with Cavalier is they find a way to get the results that they desire. We are going to have to pull out all the stops to to ensure that we come out on top and ensure that we do not lose ahead of the second leg on Sunday," he said.
