Best and Worst of JPL Week 9

BEST

Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli took their biggest scalp of the season so far in beating league-leading Vere United 1-0 last Saturday and put themselves in an ideal position to not only claim a play-off spot but a first-round bye outright. They are in fifth place with 13 points because of an inferior goal difference to Waterhouse and Portmore United, but they are also five games unbeaten. The table is still tight but should they get wins from their last two games, play-off football will be theirs.

Dunbeholden

Under Harold Thomas, Dunbeholden have managed a new lease on life. From back-to-back defeats to start the season, Dunbeholden are now four games unbeaten and are in sixth place with 13 points. Their 2-1 win over Humble Lion not only gave their play-off chances a boost but also took Humble Lion out of contention, meaning one fewer team to deal with in their quest for the postseason. They will face another team battling for their play-off lives in Arnett Gardens on Saturday and they have to ensure they replicate the same result to continue their upward trajectory.

Harbour View

Oquassa Chong got Harbour View back in the play-off fight as his league-leading sixth goal of the season edged Molynes United 1-0, a result they had to have to give themselves a chance to sneak into the top six. The problem is that they have already played nine games this season and the play-off picture could be out of their mathematical reach by the time they return from their bye week. They are in eighth place with 12 points, but four teams are on 13 with two games to go. Other results need to break their way to ensure they still have some control over their play-off fate by the time their regular-season finale comes.

Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant edged Cavalier in a five-goal thriller to take them tied for points (14) with Vere United although they are in second place because of an inferior goal difference. The coaching change has not diminished their aspirations. Similar to the cancelled 2019/20 season, Mount Pleasant are in a position to claim a first-round bye and the top spot in the league. Their much-anticipated clash with Vere tomorrow could ultimately decide who enters the postseason as the number one seeds.

Waterhouse

Waterhouse's Andre Fletcher wreaked havoc in the second half against Arnett Gardens, which led to their comprehensive 4-1 win on the weekend. They are now in third place with 13 points and are among four teams with the same total looking to secure play-off places. Waterhouse can take a step closer with a win against Molynes United. Dropped points in that game will make things tense in their regular-season finale with reigning champions Portmore United the following week.

WORST

Humble Lion

It was always going to be a tough task to salvage a season that started with five straight defeats. Humble Lion's slim chances of the play-offs finally evaporated with a 2-1 defeat to Dunbeholden. But their play-off chance didn't end with that defeat, it ended during that miserable run in a truncated season where you needed points from every game. It's a disappointing sophomore season for head coach Andrew Price, but one he hopes will have lessons to take with him next year.

Molynes United

With back-to-back defeats, Molynes United's own play-off aspirations ended. Twelve points will not be enough to make it to the postseason and it's the maximum amount that they can accumulate now. The most they can do is play spoiler to those above them in their own play-off quests.

Arnett Gardens

Arnett suffered a body blow to their play-off chances with the 4-1 defeat by Waterhouse. But they still have a mathematical chance of getting to the postseason. However, they need to win their last two games and get plenty of help elsewhere. Now in ninth place with seven points, they can only accumulate a total of 13. It could be enough to take them through but they need to score a lot of goals to get their goal differential (currently -6) in their favour.

Vere United

Tomorrow's top-of-the-table clash with Mount Pleasant could decide a lot of things in this short Jamaica Premier League season: First round bye, overall number one seed, play-off qualification. While Vere United took a hit with last week's 1-0 defeat to Tivoli Gardens it still leaves things in their own hands. Twenty points is the maximum they accumulate now. A win in either of their last two games could give them the security they need.

Cavalier

Cavalier's unbeaten run came to an end at a critical time in the season. Losing to Mount Pleasant by the odd goal in five (3-2) leaves them in a position where they have to win their last two games to make the play-offs. Their last two opponents? Reigning champions Portmore United tomorrow and current league leaders Vere United next week. Dropped points in either of the games could mean they miss out.